Videos

🎙️In this return visit to the podcast, Kelli Nienstedt — formerly in the admissions office and now Assistant Director of Student Activities — brings a unique dual perspective on what makes the Marist University experience stand out 🦊. Whether you’re applying to college, supporting your student, or guiding others through…

In this short clip from The College Admissions Process Podcast, Anne Rusk, Associate Director of Financial Aid at the Colorado School of Mines, explains a common misconception: FAFSA does not determine merit scholarships. Instead, it primarily impacts eligibility for Pell Grants and federal student loans, while scholarships are awarded independently…

The SAI (formerly EFC) is NOT what you pay—it’s an index number colleges use to calculate your aid. 💡 What families need to know: 👉 Your SAI is the same for every college you apply to 👉 An SAI of 0 doesn’t mean free college 👉 Aid varies by college…

I recently spoke with Dr. Jen Gagne from the 🎓 Colorado School of Mines on The College Admissions Process Podcast, and she shared a critical tip for anyone filling out the Common App: 👉 If there’s something important that didn’t fit in your essay or activity list — maybe a…

Jennifer Gayles, Director of Admission & Inclusive Outreach at Sarah Lawrence College, shared must-know advice for applicants on The College Admissions Process Podcast 🎙️: 💡 Key Insight: Admissions officers are strangers—they haven’t met you. Your essay isn’t about the “perfect topic”—it’s about letting your personality shine ✨ so they truly…

QuestBridge Home Page (https://mx.technolutions.net/ss/c/u001.jxaZRujEt1lhE0WEp4QewJY7uxIsGFcG8pYloVyxJG0LoxCw1f0oiI0SUBtePGAR/4ls/ga_AYigrRVaL5xnCJrVvrg/h0/h001.zi-JtVtdU9XgS40WC30FE_2KNv6SvwEdZ4tz1UsUcAo) QuestBridge National College Match (https://mx.technolutions.net/ss/c/u001.jxaZRujEt1lhE0WEp4QewJY7uxIsGFcG8pYloVyxJG26vsQ-PyhsuArWUJggx5fvyYEp1gAGJGgi0UXnVrsL7XHPfSpEY3ctmOR-ThZ-YKI3e5GK6urvpMeJ1gfi4Ogj/4ls/ga_AYigrRVaL5xnCJrVvrg/h1/h001.yN1nSxQ_A2fsqK0tTDQ8s7stO8Q7RrM_-ByZAuWorZw) QuestBridge Resource Library (https://mx.technolutions.net/ss/c/u001.jxaZRujEt1lhE0WEp4QewJY7uxIsGFcG8pYloVyxJG26vsQ-PyhsuArWUJggx5fv5LreE5K2LSPPrS6VsNAs-Q/4ls/ga_AYigrRVaL5xnCJrVvrg/h2/h001.HsFxdJbfpfzrR6amL43II3IkHqbc7Si-PNl-1a1NvvU) Feel free to reach out to Taylor with any questions at: taylor.admissions@nd.edu (mailto:taylor.admissions@nd.edu) Notre Dame Admissions Home Page (https://mx.technolutions.net/ss/c/u001.cpQnkll3XXHbQrBNB1xm0PvHlidwK9sWawdqwawNRDw-7oeVfCNP0DnrZjJFJgKl/4ls/ga_AYigrRVaL5xnCJrVvrg/h3/h001.m5M7YtP8wprpgArmp_uQ2cca68Bmn4oheTYsYYJEiA8) 🎙️QuestBridge National College Match with Taylor Erickson (Notre Dame Admissions) In this episode, Dr. John Dante speaks with…

🎓 I recently spoke with Rachel Marlowe from Franklin & Marshall College, and she shared some of the best advice students can hear during application season: 👉 “Your uniqueness is your superpower, students.” When applying to college, don’t try to sound like everyone else. 💬 Let your authentic story, your…

Before you start planning your courses for next year, take a moment to connect with your school counselor and your teachers — both play a critical role in helping you make the right academic choices. ✅ Your School Counselor knows the curriculum, graduation requirements, and how your high school’s academic…

The College Admissions Process Podcast: I was thrilled to welcome back Todd Rinehart, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment at the University of Denver, on The College Admissions Process Podcast! 🎙️ Todd breaks down the entire college admissions process into three simple steps — and here’s the best part: students control two…

The College Admissions Process Podcast: Good news: Being long doesn’t make you a better communicator! 📝✨ Many students feel the Common App essay is "too limiting" or "too short." But 💚 MichState’s Larry Alterman reminds us that Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was less than 300 words — and is widely considered…

The College Admissions Process Podcast: Did you know an effective application starts with an effective college search? 🔍🎓 Andrew Linnehan - Senior Associate Director of Admission & Director of Communications and Audience Engagement at Northwestern - If you focus on identifying “places that really fit you” — and take those…

The College Admissions Process Podcast: Did you know admissions reviewers are piecing together a complete story of who you are — from start to finish? 📖✨ In this clip, Jason McGrath, VP for Enrollment Management at The College of Wooster, breaks down why your application needs to show consistency across…

The College Admissions Process Podcast: As you navigate college applications, you may encounter the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR or SR). It’s important to know that while not all colleges use this system, it is employed by many large and popular universities seeking to standardize their review process. The University of…

I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Christoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Duke University, who shared some powerful insight on what colleges are really looking for in your application essays. He emphasized that when admissions officers read your essay, they’re picturing you as a potential member of…

Many schools, including Brown, do not track demonstrated interest — but that doesn’t mean students should skip the research! In my conversation with Logan Powell, Associate Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admission at Brown University, he introduced a powerful concept: demonstrated knowledge. 💡🔑 It’s not about whether you visited…

Dr. Ramsey, HPU’s Dean of Admissions, shared one of the biggest mistakes students make on their supplemental questions — and it’s surprisingly common. Too many applicants submit responses that show they don’t truly understand High Point University’s mission, values, or its four pillars. According to Dr. Ramsey, that lack of…

🎙In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, host John Durante is joined by Paola Franco, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Transfer Coordinator at Pomona College, to dive into what truly sets this elite liberal arts college apart — both academically and culturally. As a proud Pomona alumna, Paola…

🎓In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, host John Durante welcomes back Jarvis Dieujuste, Admissions Advisor at Hunter College, for an insightful and energizing conversation on how one of the flagship schools of the CUNY system supports students from all backgrounds — before, during, and after the admissions…

🎙️ The College Admissions Process Podcast (The CAPP) Episode: Salve Regina University: Mission, Holistic Review & the Value of a Private Education Guest: Jim Fowler, VP for Enrollment Management, Salve Regina University Host: Dr. John Dante www.salve.edu (https://www.salve.edu) 🌊 About This Episode In this episode, John speaks with Jim Fowler…

🎙️In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nick Galli, an Admissions Counselor at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech), located in sunny Melbourne, Florida 🌴. Florida Tech is nationally recognized for its STEM-focused programs, commitment to hands-on learning, and required standardized testing admissions policy — a perspective…

🎙️ Episode: Wayne State University — Dr. Charles Cotton, Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, John Durante talks with Dr. Charles Cotton III about what makes Wayne State University unique: its urban location, research opportunities, student supports, career connections, and affordability.…

🎙️ Episode: Inside Admissions with Todd Rinehart, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment at the University of Denver Join me as I welcome back Todd Rinehart for an insightful conversation on major updates at the University of Denver (DU) and practical advice for students navigating the college application process. Todd reminds us…