Podcast Episodes

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (10:14): Mark and Dave discuss a recent article by Rachel Shin of the Atlantic that looks at how some clubs at Yale and other universities have become so hard to get into that they are absurdly competitive. Dave and I discuss why these clubs have [...]

Introduction : Mark explains the very exciting new SAVE plan. This income driven repayment is a Game Changer and Mark is so excited to discuss this with you Student Life on the Importance of Student Engagement. Part 4 of 4 Dr. Eric Neubuehl interview-The importance of Student Engagement. Preview of Part 4: Lisa asks Erik, [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (4:28): Mark and Julia and Susan discuss the hot topics that admissions officers and college counselors discuss at the annual NACAC conference in September in Baltimore. Susan picks two workshops that stood out to her and Julia picked two workshops that she thought were enlightening [...]

Introduction : Mark gives an update on the New FAFSA that is coming out in December Mark shares insights from a 2007 article about college rankings Mark shares a dozen tips to help student’s write a more effective Personal Statement Student Life on the Importance of Student Engagement. Part 3 of 4 Preview of Part [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (1:48): Mark and Vince discuss the Wall Street Journal article entitled, “Colleges spend like there is no tomorrow, “These colleges are just devouring money”. The article is written by Melissa Korn, Andrea Fuller and Jennifer Forsyth (Length 18 minutes) This week’s question (19:50): We have [...]

Introduction: Mark takes 45 minutes to go into detail about why he believes US News & World Report’s cumulative rankings aren’t worth the ink they are written on Lisa interviews Dr. Eric Kneubuehl, the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Life on the Importance of Student Engagement. Part 2 of 4 Preview Part 2: Dr. Newbill-answers [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (16:38): Mark and Vince discuss the Wall Street Journal article entitled, “Colleges spend like there is no tomorrow, “These colleges are just devouring money”. The article is written by Melissa Korn, Andrea Fuller and Jennifer Forsyth (Length 15 minutes) This week’s question (31:20): We [...]

Introduction : Mark and Julia describe the difference between the student with really high grades and test scores and academic rigor that gets in the most competitive colleges versus the student with great testing, grades and rigor who doesn’t get in (Part 2 of 2) Lisa interviews Dr. Eric Kneubuehl, the Associate Vice Chancellor of [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (25:34): Mark and Julia discuss an article that appeared in “The Atlantic” by Kevin Carey entitled, “These State Schools Also Favor the One Percent”. The article is dated on August 15, 2023. (Length 32 minutes) This week’s question (57:35): Mark and Julia answer a Speakpipe [...]

Introduction: Mark and Julia describe the difference between the student with really high grades and test scores and academic rigor that gets in the most competitive colleges vs the one who doesn’t get in (Part 1 of 2) Lisa interviews Brian Bertges, the Executive Director of Theta Delta Chi, a major national fraternity, they talk [...]

In this week's episode you will hear In the News (20:32): Mark and Dave discuss a Kiplinger Personal Finance article by Erin Wood entitled, “Chasing” Athletic Scholarship Dreams Can Be a Costly Mistake”. The article is dated on July 17, 2022. (Length 31 minutes) This week’s question (51:00): Mark and Lisa answer a question from [...]

Introduction : Mark describes what “Yield protection is and he shares one public university he is hearing rumor is practicing “yield protection”. Mark asks for listener feedback on this topic. Mark shares advice from admission officers from Emory, Cornell, Wash U, Brandeis and Pomona on what makes a great School Profile. Mark explains what these [...]