Podcast Episodes

Introduction: Mark does a two-part series that looks at outside of external scholarships. Mark answers the question, what are the nine reasons why so many students do not apply for external scholarships in part 1. In part 2, on Episode 613, Mark gives tips for how to win outside scholarships. Elena Hicks, the Assistant Vice [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (2:48): In the News-Hilary and Kate join Mark to discuss an article that appears in USA Today that asks the question, “Are parent Facebook groups helpful or toxic”? Rachel Hale is the author of the article, which is entitled: “College, parent Facebook groups and when [...]

Introduction : Jennifer Mandel, a college counselor with Mark at School Match 4U, joins Mark to discuss her thoughts on whether Parent College Facebook groups are helpful or toxic? Jen has been involved in three different groups, at three different colleges in three different states. Peter Pitts interview-Part 3 of 3 : Peter highlights overlooked [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (4:08): In the News-Hilary and Kate join Mark to discuss an article that appears in USA Today that asks the question, “Are parent Facebook groups helpful or toxic”? Rachel Hale is the author of the article, which is entitled: “College, parent Facebook groups and when [...]

Introduction : Jennifer Mandel, a college counselor with Mark at School Match 4U, joins Mark to discuss how college policies differ when it comes to requiring you to sign up for their health care plan, or how to notify them that you already have health care coverage. Peter Pitts interview-Part 2 of 3 : Peter [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (2:54) : Mark interviews Lisa and Lynda about their new book, “The Calm College Method” (Length 25 minutes) This week’s question (27:18): Susan joins Mark to answer a question from Andrew, a listener from Oregon (Length 27 minutes) This week’s interview (54:27): Interview-Susan Brisson-Olin College [...]

Introduction : Mark answers the question, how many colleges should your student apply to: Peter Pitts Interview : Peter Pitts interview-Part 1 of 3 Peter gives his backstory Peter shares why he didn’t like being a Director of Admissions Peter talks about what he loved about a Regional admissions officer and we just have a [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (36:18): Mark shares some different policies that colleges have for deferred applicants. This week’s question : Susan joins Mark to answer a question from a listener about how being a low-income impacts decisions at need-blind schools. This week’s interview (1:10:18): Interview-Susan Brisson-Olin College of Engineering. [...]

Introduction : Mark has a discussion about the role of selectivity when selecting a college. Mark interviews Kate Stricklan on How Some Colleges Shape Their Class Kate tells us what shaping is and how it applies to admission file reading Kate talks about how students go in and out of the admitted class Kate shares [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (1:45): Mark and Julia discuss, what do you do if you find out that you were deferred or wait-listed from a college. When is the best time to send in a letter of continued interest? (Length 27 minutes) This week’s interview (28:04): QFL and Interview: [...]

In this week's episode you will hear Introduction : Mark has a discussion about the role of prestige when selecting a college This week’s interview : Mark interviews Kate Stricklan on the Role of the Seasonal Admission Officer What is going on in the admission office now What is the role of the operations team [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (3:12): Mark and Julia discuss, what do you do if you found out that you were deferred or waitlisted from a college (Length 36 minutes) This week’s interview (39:38): Interview: Mark interviews Kev Sanders, Associate Director of Admissions, University of Utah - Preview of Part [...]