College Guidance Chat

Though located in the small North Carolina town, High Point University has recently staked its claim as a nationally recognized leader in higher education. Its curriculum is rooted in the liberal arts, but unlike other traditional liberal arts schools, HPU has an enrollment of about 4000 students. It also boasts a variety of pre-professional programs in business, communication, pharmacy, dentistry, physical and occupational therapy, and engineering. A school that is on the rise, HPU has embarked on an ambitious building campaign to support its growing enrollment. As a medium-sized school with innovative academic programs, HPU could be the school for you.

Dartmouth College is one of the most elite institutions of higher education in America, but it also sets itself apart from its peers through its quarter-based academic calendar. This system allows students to enroll in up to three intensive courses each quarter, and by graduation, students have typically taken more courses than their peers at other institutions. The quarter system also encourages students to study abroad, volunteer, or intern for one or more quarters. It provides an immense level of flexibility. Kevin Mathes, the Associate Director of Admissions at Dartmouth, also encourages parents to let their students be the driver of the admissions process.

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the most iconic schools in America. It's football games against archrivals Stanford and Notre Dame are not the only reasons so many students–nearly 50,000 students apply for about 3000 spots–are attracted to this university. Its location in Los Angeles, strong business and engineering programs, and extensive alumni network make this university stand out. Bryan Hudson, the Assistant Director of Admissions, discusses the Trojan Community in way that one might describe his family. The care that the admissions office takes with each applicant file is a true testament to its "holistic" review process.

Nestled in charming Chestnut Hill near America's quintessential college town, Boston College offers its students a stellar academic program within the context of a Jesuit community. Men and women for others, cura personalis, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam...these Jesuit traditions infuse the life of the mind and spirit at BC. The admissions office seeks students who are not just academically motivated, but students who want to be challenged to live for something bigger than just a paycheck. Unlike other admissions offices that seek more and more applications each year, BC has bucked the trend and made its application more purposeful, thus ensuring that its applicants are genuinely interested in what it has to offer.

What makes Drew special? According to Christopher Teare, the Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Drew University, it's location and academics bring together the best of both worlds. Just a 45 minute train ride from New York City and all of its internship and professional opportunities, this small liberal arts school in Madison, New Jersey, offers the tight-knit community that students need to excel academically. In addition, Drew is a liberal arts school with strong programs in the sciences and performing arts. Christopher also offers insight into what he calls the "coherence and congruence" of a college application. Finally, his advice to parents to work with the college counselor is not only informed by decades of experience as a college counselor at independent schools but from his perspective as a parent of a graduate, current college student, and eleventh grader.

One of the nation's most venerable liberal arts colleges attributes its success to the close-knit relationships that it fosters among its students and faculty. Haley Burrowes, the Assistant Director of Admissions at Colby, explains how these relationships are not only foundational to the Colby experience but for life after Colby as well. She discusses the holistic college admissions reading process, and how this process informs their desire to "build a class" of engaged students.

What makes Elon University stand out? To Ginny Oberle, an admissions counselor there, the answer is simple: student engagement. At Elon administrative decisions are made with the students in mind and with the goal of enhancing the student experience. It should come as no surprise that Elon seeks applicants who are actively engaged in their courses, extracurriculars, and athletics. Elon also looks for purposeful applicants who truly want to be on its campus, and for that reason, Elon has developed its own application system.

Just a short train ride from the center of Philadelphia is one of the nation's most renowned women's colleges– Bryn Mawr College. A sincere focus on the liberal arts and its ardent support of women in STEM fields, Bryn Mawr is a place where women leaders and scholars are nurtured. The admissions process mirrors the academic experience, says Marissa Turchi, Senior Assistant Director of Admission, in that both are individualized. To that end, Bryn Mawr has adopted a "test optional" admissions policy. Added to the stellar academic offerings are some deep-seated traditions–like May Day and class colors–that make the Bryn Mawr experience truly distinctive.

Think that a small public school doesn't exist? Or, that a liberal arts school can't seamlessly incorporate a business program? Think again. The College of William & Mary bills itself as a true one-of-a-kind college: it's a small public college dedicated to the liberal arts. Yet it still offers a business major, though students do not engage in pre-professional coursework until their junior year! The focus on the liberal arts is at the core of the William & Mary curriculum, and it continues to inform the lives of its graduates well after they earn their degree. For Wendy Livingston, the Associate Dean of Admissions, that was certainly the case.

I have never met a student who has visited as many colleges as Leah. Beginning even before her freshman year of high school, she was already pounding the pavement and visiting an array of schools. Eventually she decided to attend Bryn Mawr College, one of our nation's premier women's colleges. Though initially hesitant to matriculate to a women's college, she learned to put aside her own stereotypes and keep an open mind. In doing so, she found her future home.

It's not too often that you hear about a student getting lost on the metro and finding the school of her dreams. But for Tori, this was exactly what happened when she went to Washington, DC, to visit colleges. She unexpectedly found herself on the campus of The George Washington University, and she knew that she had discovered her "best fit" college.

Maansi and Saagar are fraternal twins with a passion for the biological sciences and a strong desire to attend an academically rigorous research institution. They eventually decided to attend the same school: the University of Chicago. For them inspiring summer programs helped lead them through their college search process. Their interactions with their peers and faculty at UChicago were foundational for them.

Adam hoped to find a place that was both affordable and would challenge him to think deeply across academic disciplines. For him, Washington University in St. Louis seemed to fit perfectly. His experience at a "preview day" undoubtedly influenced him to accept his offer of admission. He offers some great tips on how to get started and push through the essay writing process.

Ian had a distinctive college search and admissions experience: as a talented squash player looking at small liberal arts schools in the northeast, he was drawn to the highly selective NESCAC schools. The sometimes grueling recruiting process made finding the right fit a highly intensive endeavor. For Ian, considerable research, contact with coaches, and numerous visits ultimately led him to a small school in Maine, the venerable Bowdoin College. In this interview he also offers some advice for other athletes interested in the recruiting process.

Sarah Gaglione will be attending Ithaca College next year and studying the visual arts. Her application process was slightly different from the vast majority of her peers because of the need to submit a portfolio. Though initially apprehensive, she has finished the college application process with more self-confidence than ever. Be prepared to laugh while listening to her encouraging story!

How did a phenomenal ballet dancer choose to study neuroscience and psychology at Vanderbilt University? For Claire, the people in her life–and a stellar campus visit–encouraged her to apply Early Decision II to Vanderbilt's Peabody College, where she found that she could merge her divergent interests. She also recounts how the numerous essays actually allowed her to learn some new things about herself.

Cora reflects on her college application process in this episode. An exceedingly bright student, she describes how finding the right community aided in her final decision, and she offers some advice to underclassmen and women about following their passions (rather than joining clubs for the sake of college admissions).

Patrick Meade, an Admissions Counselor at Johns Hopkins University, is new to the admissions world, yet his enthusiasm for JHU couldn't be more authentic. Its collaborative community is sure to attract that student who wants a top-tier academics environment without a cut-throat competitive undercurrent.

Thought that state universities were all the same? Cerita Fowler, an Admissions Counselor at Bowling Green State University, spoke at length about the opportunities for hands-on learning at BGSU, a large state university with a small community feel.

Greg Warmt, the Assistant Director of Admissions at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, is partial to HWS. Perhaps, that is because he is an alum. Or, it could be that HWS encourages its students to pursue in-depth study across the curriculum. Interdisciplinary studies is just the norm at HWS.

Kathy Winters, an Admissions Officer at the University of Cincinnati, was thrilled to promote the #hottestcollegeinamerica. It's new president, Dr. Santa Ono, has proven instrumental in putting UC on the national stage. It now boasts more 50 academic programs ranked amongst the top 50 from around the country.

Megan Whalen, the Assistant Director of Admissions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, dispels the myth that RPI is only for engineers. In fact, with other 38 distinctive majors (and even more minors), high school students may be surprised at its considerable humanities and business offerings.

Anisha Patel, an Admissions Counselor at Vanderbilt University, has plenty to say about this highly-selective southern university. You probably know about its stellar academic programs, but have you heard about its food or beautiful campus? Listen in and find out more.

Did you know that Florida Southern College's campus features buildings designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright? Find out more about what makes FSC a "College That Changes Lives" by listening to my chat with Kristen Placek, the Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Florida Southern.

Have you ever heard of a "Goldilocks school"? Are you intrigued? Find out what makes Southern Methodist University a Goldilocks school from Admission Counselor Elizabeth Stevenson.