Inside College Admissions

Thinking about visiting colleges this summer? In this podcast episode, we're breaking down the importance of campus visits, what to look for on the tour, and more!Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

We shared an episode for students about requesting letters of recommendation, now we're sharing our pro tips for counselors and teachers as they write letters of recommendation on behalf of their students! In this episode, you'll hear from Julie Kampschroeder, College Counselor with 31+ years of experience, and Peter Van Buskirk, former Dean of Admission as they share advice from both sides of the desk. We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to check out our episode for students on the same topic here!Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Wondering how to ask for a letter of recommendation — and actually get a strong one?In this episode, we break down everything students need to know about recommendation letters: when to ask, how to ask, and what to share with your teacher or counselor to help them write a compelling letter.

In this episode, Peter Van Buskirk, Strategic Advisor for Scoir and former Dean of Admission, shares pro tips for selecting your high school courses. We dive into what colleges are looking for and how to plan your classes strategically throughout your years in high school.Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

In this webinar-turned-podcast, hear the experts talk about how Scoir's foundational work with high school counselors benefits the work of colleges, too. Liz McGonigle, Managed Subscriptions Engagement Strategist at Scoir, Chris White from High Tech High, and Sebastian Brown from the University of Oregon share how Visits, Matches, and Parent/Guardian Messages in Scoir seamlessly bridge the gap and solve shared challenges between high school and college, empowering students, college staff, and high school staff every step of the way.What You'll Discover:The Scoir Love: Hear what counselors and admissions staff have to say about Scoir, and how it makes their jobs easierReal-World Applications: Learn actual ways colleges and high schools are using Scoir to support student success, right from your peersConnecting Communities: Learn how Scoir promotes collaboration among colleges, high schools, students, and parents/guardians throughout the college admissions processWhy Scoir is Different: Find out what sets Scoir apart from traditional college marketing approaches and college guidance systemsCheck out the blog post recap of this event or the replay on YouTube as well!Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

In this episode, Chief Growth Officer at Scoir, Ashley Smith, and former Dean of Admission, Peter Van Buskirk chat all things effective communication! Whether you're a college-bound student writing your college essay or heading into the workforce and want to sharpen your skills, we're sharing our tips for breaking out of the 5 paragraph essay and sharing your true sense of self! We cover: when to start the writing processhow to move past writer's blockAI's place in writinghow to get into the writing headspacetips for nailing the college interviewand more! THE ADMISSIONS GAME - SATIRE EDITIONYour satirical guide to elite college admissions by the fictional counselor to the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Join Ciara and Erika, Senior Engagement Strategists at Scoir and college admissions marketing professionals, plus Abby deSilva, Inbound Marketing Strategist at Scoir and member of Gen Z, as they share strategies to authentically connect with Gen Z and thrive through today's admissions challenges. They evaluate what students think about college admissions today and how this can inform how you market to students this year.This podcast covers:What students are saying about college admissions (what vibes with them)What students are looking for in a college and their marketing (what to yeet and what to keep)Actionable tips based on student feedback (embracing your Gen Z marketing era)How Scoir can helpTHE ADMISSIONS GAME - SATIRE EDITIONYour satirical guide to elite college admissions by the fictional counselor to the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Our Chief Growth Officer, Ashley Smith, is joined by Peter Van Buskirk as he shares a recap of key takeaways and hot topics from this year's No Name Conference sessions. Take a listen as we discuss the FAFSA delays, how students can cope with the "achievement culture", and more.THE ADMISSIONS GAME - SATIRE EDITIONYour satirical guide to elite college admissions by the fictional counselor to the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

In this episode, host Kaila Brown, former high school counselor, and guest Aaron Fulk, Director of College Counseling at the University School of Nashville, offer insightful strategies for counselors in supporting students and families through the college decision-making process. They emphasize the importance of asking the right questions to encourage exploration, navigate financial considerations, and foster open communication between students and their parents/guardians. You'll hear practical advice on managing application season as well. The discussion highlights the crucial role of counselors in guiding families with empathy, expertise, and practical support.Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

By 2027, the number of names nationally available for search will drop by 38%, according to Forbes. A shifting public perception of college and post-high school plans along with a drop in the young adult population has shrunk the pool of college applicants. With these enrollment and search cliffs, colleges are faced with the challenge (and opportunity) of diversifying their lead generation strategies and tapping into true content personalization. Perhaps an even greater challenge is setting aside the resources needed to pursue new avenues to reach students.In this episode, Ashley Murphy and Liz McGonigle, both former college admissions professionals who are now on our Scoir team, share valuable lessons learned about higher education budgeting as institutions pave their path forward.Explore Scoir Managed SubscriptionsFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Back by popular demand, Tom from College Essay Guy Team joins us for this fun episode! We'll share 5 of the most essential tasks we recommend you complete BEFORE your junior year. So if you're a freshman, sophomore, or even a junior, listen for tips you won't want to miss! College Essay Guy Resources:College Essay Guy WebsiteExplore 1-on-1 ServicesBegin Personal Statement CourseLearn How to Apply to CollegeFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

What do Olivia Rodrigo and college application culture have in common?

In this episode we're joined by Scoir team member with a background in admissions, Liz McGonigle! We dive into how college fairs and events typically work, how to engage with college reps, and fun ways to explore schools right from your couch! Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

By winter break, you may have checked off a lot of your senior year To-Do list: applying to college, studying for exams, and of course, making memories! Wondering what to do with the rest of your senior year? In this episode, Elena from Scoir and Tom from College Essay Guy Team share their top 5 essential checklist items for you!College Essay Guy Resources:Explore 1-on-1 ServicesBegin Personal Statement CourseLearn How to Apply to CollegeEssay Tracker SampleHow to Combine Your College Essay Prompts (To Save 20+ Writing Hours)School-Specific Supplemental Essay GuidesBEABIES ExerciseA How-To Guide for the Short Answer Questions for Highly-Selective CollegesPaying for College in 4 Steps!How to Choose a CollegeCollege Interview Tips and Strategies - The Ultimate GuideHow to Write a Great Letter of Continued InterestCollege KickstartFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Curious about what applying with Scoir is like? Want to hear what's new this year? This episode is for you! We'll dive into the ways applying with Scoir streamlines your college applications and the exciting updates we made to the experience this year!Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Hello August! A new school year is quickly approaching and we're excited to share some advice for our counselor community. In this episode, we're joined by previous college counselor with experience working in both private and public schools, Kelly Weber. During our conversation, we share ways counselors can prepare for back-to-school season, tips for each class year, how to manage large caseloads, and even advice for newer counselors as they begin their career!Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Load up your shopping cart because, with these tips, you can get more of what you need for your dorm on a budget!  In this episode, Elena and her sister Andrea talk about what they love most: finding things you need for less. We'll give you suggestions for where to shop, what student discount apps to download, and dorm tips we learned FROM college that can help you now!Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

In this episode, we sit down with Celena from Test Innovators, our test prep partner! We cover the testing landscape, the main differences between the digital and paper SATs, how to prep, what colleges require, how to determine which test you should take (SAT v ACT), managing test day anxiety, and the role parents/guardians play in the testing process.Check out these resources from Test Innovators:SAT Prep for StudentsACT Prep for StudentsTest Prep for Your High SchoolThe Student's Guide to the Digital SATThe Educator's Guide to the Digital SATLearn more about our partnership with Test Innovators here.Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

In this episode we're joined by former Dean of Admission, Peter Van Buskirk, who shares key takeaways from this year's No Name Conferences. We dive into the digital SAT, upcoming changes to the FAFSA, the impact of ChatGPT, learning environments, and more! Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

In this episode we're joined by SEL experts, Dr. Dana Godek and Kelly Dolan Sapp for a conversation about the youth mental health crisis. We dive into what this means, how parents/guardians can approach checking in with their students, and practices we can take advantage of to support our students.Find Dr. Dana Godek & Kelly Dolan Sapp at edu-solve.com (@weareedusolve).Helpful Resources: Surgeon General Teen Social Media Advisory EduSolve Article on Adult SELFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

GRWM for a college visit

College Decision Day is right around the corner! Still making your final choice? We've got tips for you! ⭐ We'll talk with college expert and former Dean of Admissions, Peter Van Buskirk, about what to do if you've been admitted OR are on the waitlist for schools, important things to consider (like fit and the financial aspect), and what you can do NOW before making your final decision!Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Before you make your final choice for college, listen to this episode! We are debunking the myth that students have to accrue a mountain of debt to go to college.

Get your pen and paper out because in this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on all things financial aid!

Is your junior beginning to build a college list? This episode is a great place to get started!

To test or not to test? That is the question!

Should my student take another year of language classes? What about AP and Honors classes?

Want to guide your student in their college application journey but aren't sure where to start? With this episode (the first in our Family Bootcamp mini-series), you'll learn about the best way to engage your student, important things to look for on college campuses, and mistakes to avoid as both students and parents/guardians!Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Winter break may be short but there are a LOT of fun things to do! ❄️ In this episode, Elena and her sister, Andrea, talk about how your favorite songs can help with scholarship apps and how the childhood magic of sledding can make your winter break :,)Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Through a conversation with Admissions Mom, we talk about why it's important to celebrate the big milestone of submitting your applications (and not just celebrating acceptances). Join us as we discuss ways to celebrate, what you can learn from this experience, and more!Admissions Mom WebsiteAdmissions Mom on InstagramAdmissions Mom on RedditApplyingToCollege Reddit CommunityFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

⚠️ TIME TO BE REAL ⚠️ in your college application! It turns out you can use humor and show your personality in your application (?!) and we'll tell you how! In this episode, Elena and Tom (from College Essay Guy Team) talk about the secret things you're probably worrying too much about and the things you don't want to forget in your college apps. Tom Campbell is a Community Manager with the College Essay Guy Team. With years of admissions experience at Pomona College and College of the Holy Cross, Tom brings such valuable experience and shares those insider insights that could make a huge difference in your college essay!Resources we mention:College Essay Guy Blog: How-To Guide for the Short Answer Questions for Highly-Selective CollegesCollege Essay Guy Blog: How to Format a College Essay: Step-by-Step GuideJoin the College Essay Guy Parent CommunityFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Looking for that unique twist to make your college essay stand out? It might be in your niche laptop stickers or celeb fandom! In this episode, we'll talk with Tom from the College Essay Guy Team about how the little things in your life can be essay inspiration, and small tweaks to make your essay really stand out Tom Campbell is a Community Manager with the College Essay Guy Team. With years of admissions experience at Pomona College and College of the Holy Cross, Tom brings such valuable experience and shares those insider insights that could make a huge difference in your college essay!Resources we mention: College Essay Guy Blog: The Values ExerciseCollege Essay Guy Blog: Essence Objects ExercisesCollege Essay Guy Blog: 27 Outstanding Personal Statement ExamplesIncludes the Laptop Sticker and iTaylor sample personal statementsCollege Essay Guy YouTube: How to Outline & Structure Your College EssayOverviews the Narrative and Montage pathsCollege Essay Guy Podcast: Using the Secrets of Screenwriting to Write Your College EssayMore details about the "Pixar" structure/Narrative structure from EthanCollege Essay Guy Blog: How to "Show Don't Tell" in College EssaysGreat tips on how to bring small "nuggets of gold" and specific details to your personal statement during the final revision stagesJoin the College Essay Guy Parent CommunityFollow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Are you looking to study someplace new? In this episode, Elena and Tushar continue their conversation about Tushar's experience studying in the U.S. from India! Plus, Tushar will share his advice for other international students beginning the application process!

Applying to college in the U.S.?

Summer is for pizza bagels, long drives with friends, and doing... something cool? Not sure how to spend your summer? In today's episode, Elena chats with a recent grad (aka her sister, Andrea!) about how to get creative with your summer plans!Check out this blog to learn more about making the most of your summer!Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Dorm Essentials is BACK with new additions to your Ultimate College Packing List! In this episode, we talk about college must-haves, like photos from home, microwavable food (hello Kraft Mac & Cheese!), and more. :) Timestamps below!0:58 Conversation with D'Lanna about how pictures can make a space feel like home and always making sure you have medicine.7:43 Conversation with Ashley about saving space with storage bins and having water on-hand.13:14 Conversation with Noah about getting creative with microwave food.16:35 Conversation with Emily about how a non-iphone camera can help you make new friends.Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Here's the tea about college: your Future Self will thank you for packing bandaids and a box of Cheez-its, and you'll NEED to bring flip flops for the shower!

Scoir welcomes back Peter Van Buskirk to the podcast with a discussion about how colleges are continuing to evolve through COVID, how they're evaluating students, waitlists, the pending enrollment cliff, and more.Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

College 101 is BACK with more of the secret tips that colleges definitely didn't tell you on the tour! We reveal the truth about late nights at the library, getting creative with your meal plan, and the secret to sleep in college. Timestamps below!1:07 Conversation with Caroline about the importance of sleep and how making lists can help you stay on track. 6:17 Conversation with Paul about meal plan alternatives. 9:56 Conversation with Noah about the best time to buy (or not buy) textbooks so you can save your money. 14:37 Conversation with Anna about making friends in your major and the value of asking for feedback. Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

We're bringing you to college early with today's episode about College Hacks and the secret tips that colleges definitely didn't tell you on the tour. We'll talk with grads about how to spice up classic dining hall meals, the class times to absolutely avoid, and the truth about switching majors. Timestamps below!2:11 Conversation with D'Lanna about organizing and taking advantage of a fresh start.7:58 Conversation with Shohom about make your schedule (and reconsidering that Friday 8am)12:15 Conversation with Emily about protecting your tech.19:03 Conversation with Ashley about the importance of showing up to class and getting creative with dining hall food.Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Join us and our special guest, Carolyn Caplan (aka Admissions Mom), for a discussion about how parents and students can come together for a meaningful, collaborative, and transparent admissions journey.Admissions Mom Website Applying to College (A2C) subreddit Admissions Mom on RedditEmail Carolyn: carolyn@admissionsmom.collegeFollow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir

And we're back with Part 2 of "What I Wish I Knew Before College!" Y'all loved our first episode in this series so in today's episode, we talk with 5 more college grads about their biggest tips & advice for you. Time stamps below!Time Stamps:1:10 Conversation with Shohom:1:45 Social media 6:30 Not getting caught up in what you think you're “supposed” to be doing 12:20 Conversation with D'Lanna:12:50 Tips for introducing yourself to your professors16:09 Changing friends throughout your college career19:00 Conversation with Cole:19:28 Learning another language before going to college20:28 Saving money for college & student discounts 23:13 Conversation with Anna:23:31 Being curious about and reflective of the things outside of class27:15 Mastering the 20 minute nap28:42 Conversation with Paul:29:00 Researching professors with “Rate My Professor” 32:04 Setting yourself up for success senior year & internships35:22 How joining clubs/meeting people can open doors for you in the futureFollow us on Instagram! @ScoirIncLearn more about Scoir: www.scoir.com

Here's the tea: the dining hall food may be trash and you might *actually* miss your hometown, but you WILL make friends and join really cool clubs. In today's episode, we talk with 4 college grads about what they wish they knew before college! Time stamps below!Time Stamps:Conversation with Caroline: 1:55 - 13:402:22 Not letting the idea of being a "freshman" get to your head5:04 Tips for building up confidence when starting at a new school10:46 Finding a great study spot on campusConversation with Ashley: 13:47 - 27:2514:29 Making the most of your dorm room space18:13 Putting yourself out there & meeting people at collegeConversation with Noah: 27:31 - 34:1727:55 Joining clubs 29:47 Studying abroadConversation with Emily: 34:21 - 38:1035:13 Learning about your student loan and financial aid options early onFollow us on Instagram! @ScoirInc

Senior Product Marketing Manager at Scoir, Megan Kauffman is joined by Scoir's Chief Experience Officer, Matt Pitone, to discuss how colleges can leverage data and content to create scalable personalized experiences for students during the college search process and why it matters. 

Scoir Product Marketing Manager, Erin Barnes, is joined by Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, to discuss the challenges of effectively parenting your child through the college process.www.scoir.comFollow us on Instagram! @scoirinc

Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Director of College Partnerships for Mastery Charter Schools, Lance Dronkers, to offer tips for talking finances with your family. This interview was conducted on November 4, 2021.

Ashley Smith from Scoir talks with special guest Carolyn Caplan (Admissions Mom) about early decision rejection, how to cope, and what to focus on to find your "Dream You." Admissions Mom Website: https://admissionsmom.college/Blog on Emotional Planning: https://admissionsmom.college/college-decisions/seniors-if-you-applied-early-this-fall-its-time-for-some-emotional-planning-spoiler-youre-gonna-be-ok/Blog on if Early Decision Didn't go Your Way: https://admissionsmom.college/college-decisions/seniors-if-you-applied-early-this-fall-its-time-for-some-emotional-planning-spoiler-youre-gonna-be-ok/Admissions Mom on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/admissionsmom

Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Director of College Counseling & Student Services at University Prep, Kelly Herrington, to discuss tips for underclassmen!Our conversation covers topics such as: applying with a sense of purpose, self-reflection, testing, and course selection. This interview was conducted on October 15, 2021.

Scoir Strategic Advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Director of College Counseling at Jackson Preparatory School, Malika Lindsay, to discuss building your college list, applying, and making a "plan b" if Early Decision/Early Action did not pan out as expected. This episode was recorded on October 28, 2021.

Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Diane Anci, Dean of Admission and VP for Enrollment at Kenyon College, to discuss college essays.Our conversation covers topics such as: demonstrating your voice with honesty, the importance of the essay, investing time writing about topics that you enjoy, and much more. This interview was conducted on October 13, 2021.

Join Ashley Smith from Scoir for a conversation with Brennan Barnard, the director of college counseling at the Derryfield School, and Rick Clark, the director of undergraduate admission at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where they discuss their new book, who it's for, and how it can help students and families better navigate the college search experience.Get your copy of the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421442639/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DJ16ZRYS11GGNZKD1THT