The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions
By Ethan Sawyer
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Category: Education
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Subscribers: 73
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Episodes: 100
Description
Practical, up-to-date interviews with experts in college admissions, financial aid, personal statements, test prep and more. Ethan Sawyer (aka College Essay Guy), interviews deans of admission, financial aid experts, and veterans of the admissions field to extract, then distill their advice into practical steps for students and those guiding them through the process. From creating an awesome college list to appealing a financial aid letter, Ethan skips the general advice and gets right to the action items, all in an effort to bring more ease, joy and purpose into the college admissions process.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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721: Inside the Application Process (Part 1): Introducing Harmony, High School Senior
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Oct 13, 2026 |
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720: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do: Practical Exercises for Navigating Ambiguity with NACAC CEO Angel Pérez (Part 2)
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Oct 06, 2026 |
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719: Tools for Navigating Ambiguity in Times of Uncertainty: A Conversation with NACAC CEO Angel Pérez (Part 1)
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Sep 29, 2026 |
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718: Turning the Tide in 2026: Preparing Students for Lives of Caring and Purpose (with Harvard's Making Caring Common)
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Sep 15, 2026 |
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717: A USC Admission Officer on Early Decision, Rural Student Access, and What She Wishes Students Would Ask with Marie Bury Loew
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Sep 01, 2026 |
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716: Making the Price of College Make Sense with Adam Miller
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Aug 18, 2026 |
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715: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 12: The Translator) with Lavon Robinson
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Aug 04, 2026 |
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714: A Live Essay and Application Review with Anna, HS Senior
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Jul 21, 2026 |
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713: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Storytelling (Ep 10: The Stomach Whisperer) with Tillie Gottlieb
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Jul 07, 2026 |
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712: Empowering First-Generation Student Success: The Warren High School BUS program with David Cha
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Jun 23, 2026 |
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711: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 10: The Silent Assassin) with Amber Patterson
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Jun 09, 2026 |
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710: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 9: Where I Grew Up) with Hillary Dickman
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May 26, 2026 |
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709: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 8: Molding Clay) with Calvin Pickett
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May 12, 2026 |
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708: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 7: Robes) with Andrew Callery
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May 05, 2026 |
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707: Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 5): Making the Decision with Alisha, Class of 2026
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Apr 22, 2026 |
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706: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 6: Raspberry Sky) with Wendy Zheutlin
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Apr 14, 2026 |
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705: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 5: The Stains on My Baseball Pants) with Kaila Barber
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Mar 31, 2026 |
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704: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 4: Tiny Windows into My Being) with Ali McKeon
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Mar 17, 2026 |
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703: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 3: The Pilgrim and The CEO) with Jane Longley
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Mar 03, 2026 |
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702: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 2: Much Ado About Nothing) with Dr. Greg Ungar
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Feb 17, 2026 |
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701: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 1: My Desk & Magic) with Amanda McRaven
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Feb 03, 2026 |
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623: Standing Out in STEM: Practical Advice for Future Scientists, Engineers and Techies
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Dec 23, 2025 |
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622: Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 4): Supplemental Essay Deep Dive with Alisha, HS Senior
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Dec 09, 2025 |
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621: Financial Aid Tips for International Students (and Their Counselors)—2025 Edition
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Nov 25, 2025 |
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620: Navigating Student Health in College: A Doctor's Guide to Sleep, Stress, and Student Life
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Nov 11, 2025 |
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619: Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 3): How Reflection Leads to Insight with Alisha, HS Senior
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Nov 06, 2025 |
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618: Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 2): Discovering Values Through Revision with Alisha, HS Senior
|
Oct 28, 2025 |
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617: Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 1): The Sand Essay with Alisha, HS Senior
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Oct 14, 2025 |
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616: Authoring Your Life: Why the Personal Statement Is About (Much) More Than Getting into College
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Sep 30, 2025 |
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615: Rethinking "Best" Colleges: Tools, Tips, and Mindset Shifts for a Better College List with Jay McCann and Dr. Steven Antonoff, Co-Authors of The College Finder
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Sep 16, 2025 |
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614: 13 Mistakes High School Students Make When Creating Their College List
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Sep 03, 2025 |
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613: Inside the Application (Part 6): Making the Decision with Cassidy, Class of 2025
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Aug 19, 2025 |
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612: Admission Nutrients (Part 6 of 6: Intellectual Curiosity): Important Ingredients for a Well-Balanced College Admission Process—And Life with Hillary Dickman
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Aug 05, 2025 |
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611: Admission Nutrients (Part 5 of 6: Service to Others / Community Impact): Important Ingredients for a Well-Balanced College Admission Process—And Life with Nathan Faust
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Jul 22, 2025 |
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610: Admission Nutrients (Part 4 of 6: Consistent Engagement): Important Ingredients for a Well-Balanced College Admission Process—And Life with Dysean Alexander
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Jul 08, 2025 |
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609: Admission Nutrients (Part 3 of 6: Leadership): Important Ingredients for a Well-Balanced College Admission Process—And Life
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Jun 24, 2025 |
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608: Admission Nutrients (Part 2 of 6: Collaboration): Important Ingredients for a Well-Balanced College Admission Process—And Life with Raissa Diamante
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Jun 10, 2025 |
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607: Admission Nutrients (Part 1 of 6: Intro): Important Ingredients for a Well-Balanced College Admission Process—And Life
|
May 27, 2025 |
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606: Navigating College Applications with AI (Part 2): What Colleges Say + My Advice to Students and Counselors
|
May 13, 2025 |
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605: Navigating College Applications with AI (Part 1): How High School Teachers and Students Use Tools Like ChatGPT
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Apr 29, 2025 |
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604: Inside the Application (Part 5): How to Decide Which College to Attend with Cassidy, HS Senior
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Apr 15, 2025 |
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603: Leading Through Chaos: 7 Superpowers for Uncertain Times with Angel Pérez
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Apr 01, 2025 |
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602: Roles and Identities Part 2 (for Counselors and Educators): A Framework for Understanding How Your Roles Shape Your Work
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Mar 18, 2025 |
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601: Roles and Identities Part 1 (for Students and Parents): A Framework for Exploring Who You've Been, Who You Are, and Who You're Becoming
|
Mar 04, 2025 |
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523: Busting College Admission Myths Using Data: Standardized Tests, Rankings, and the Cost of College with Akil Bello
|
Dec 17, 2024 |
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522: Storytelling & Identity with Ethan Sawyer (Part 4 Bonus Episode!): On Balancing Identities, Writing as a Journey, and the Mystery of Enoughness
|
Dec 03, 2024 |
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521: Storytelling & Identity with Ryan Maldonado (Part 3 of 3): On Code-switching, Photographing Living Rooms, and Growing up Not-Rich in Miami
|
Nov 19, 2024 |
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520: Storytelling & Identity w/Whit Anderson (Part 2 of 3): Beating Writer's Block, Writing RomComs and Space Operas, and Female Representation in Hollywood
|
Nov 05, 2024 |
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519: Storytelling & Identity with Dave Callaham (Part 1 of 3): What it's Like Writing Marvel Movies, Asian-American Representation in Hollywood, and Advice on Finding Your Voice
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Oct 22, 2024 |
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518: Inside the Application (Part 4): How to Know if You're "Almost Done" with Your College Application
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Oct 08, 2024 |
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517: Inside the Application (Part 3): Supplemental Essay Deep Dive + Developing the College List w/ Special Guest Renee Ferrerio
|
Sep 18, 2024 |
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516: Inside the Application (Part 2): Developing the Personal Statement, Supplemental Essays, and College List with Cassidy, HS Senior
|
Sep 03, 2024 |
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515: Inside the Application Part 1: Brainstorming, Outlining, and Drafting with Cassidy, HS Senior
|
Aug 20, 2024 |
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514: Navigating Mental Health Disclosures in the College Application: The Student Perspective
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Aug 06, 2024 |
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513: Navigating Mental Health Disclosures in the College Application: The Admission Officer Perspective with Christina Lopez
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Jul 25, 2024 |
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512: Navigating Mental Health Disclosures in the College Application: The Counselor Perspective
|
Jul 11, 2024 |
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511: Identity, Self-Care, and the Future of College Admission w/ NACAC CEO Angel Pérez
|
Jun 27, 2024 |
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510: What Colleges Want (Part 9): A Crash Course in Standardized Testing
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Jun 11, 2024 |
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509: What Colleges Want (Part 8): Extracurricular Activities Deep Dive: How Getting Involved In and Out of School Can Boost Your Application
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May 28, 2024 |
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508: What Colleges Want (Part 7B): Recommendation Letter Crash Course for Counselors and Teachers
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Apr 30, 2024 |
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507: What Colleges Want (Part 7A): Recommendation Letter Crash Course for Students and Families
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Apr 09, 2024 |
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506: What Colleges Want (Part 6): Demonstrated Interest: What Is it, Why Is it Important, and How Do You Show it? with Dean of Enrollment Christine Bowman
|
Mar 26, 2024 |
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505: What Colleges Want (Part 5): A Crash Course in the Supplemental Essays + Application with Ethan Sawyer (College Essay Guy)
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Mar 12, 2024 |
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504: What Colleges Want (Part 4): A Crash Course in the Personal Statement with Ethan Sawyer (College Essay Guy)
|
Mar 05, 2024 |
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503: What Colleges Want (Part 3): "Positive Character Attributes": What Are They, and How Do You Show Them in Your College Application?
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Feb 13, 2024 |
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502: What Colleges Want (Part 2): A Deep Dive into GPA, Course Selection, and Making the Most of the Academic Opportunities Available to You
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Jan 24, 2024 |
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501: What Colleges Want (Part 1): A Deep Dive into the Factors Colleges Deem Important & State of College Admissions Report
|
Jan 09, 2024 |
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414: A Crash Course in Paying for College & Common Affordability Myths
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Dec 28, 2023 |
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413: Intellectual Curiosity + College Admissions: What It Is, Why It Matters to Colleges, and How to Show It
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Dec 20, 2023 |
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412: Applying to College as a First-Generation or Low-Income Student: The Matchlighters Scholars Program Experience
|
Dec 12, 2023 |
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411: Finding Your Why, What a Liberal Arts Education Really Is, and How to Figure out What You Actually Want
|
Dec 05, 2023 |
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410: Regional Spotlights: Attending College in The South w/ Renee Ferrerio
|
Nov 21, 2023 |
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409: A Crash Course in College Athletic Recruiting w/ Katie Andersen
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Nov 02, 2023 |
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408: 10 Critical Things Trans Youth (and Their Counselors and Caregivers) Should Know in High School and When Applying to College w/ Shannon and Sam Bergeron
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Oct 11, 2023 |
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407: Behind the Scenes of an Admission Office + Supplemental Essay Deep Dive w/ Rick Diaz
|
Sep 29, 2023 |
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406: Why You Don't Have to Write about Trauma in Your College Essay to Stand Out—and What You Can Do Instead w/ Tina Yong
|
Sep 15, 2023 |
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405: 7 Cosas Que Las Familias Latinas Deben Saber Sobre Cómo Prepararse Para la Universidad / 7 Things Latinx Families Need to Know About Preparing for College w/ Lorenzo Gamboa
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Sep 07, 2023 |
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404: Race-Conscious Admission Was Struck Down—What Does This Mean and What Can Students and College Counselors Do? w/ Jay Rosner
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Sep 01, 2023 |
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403: AP, IB, Honors, Oh My! How Admissions Officers View Your High School Courses, Rigor, and School Context w/Susan Tree
|
Aug 03, 2023 |
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401: NACAC CEO Angel Pérez—Self-care for counselors, leaders, and professionals in helping roles
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Jul 21, 2023 |
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402: How to Create a (Sustainable, Nourishing, Energizing, Intentional) Morning Ritual with Sage Simpson
|
Jul 21, 2023 |
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301: Behind the Scenes of an Admission Counselor's Life w/ Kati Sweany
|
Jan 19, 2022 |
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302: Part 1: Behind the Scenes of an Admission Office w/ Tom Campbell
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Jan 19, 2022 |
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303: Part 2: Behind the Scenes of an Admission Office w/ Tom Campbell
|
Jan 19, 2022 |
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215: 17 Things Students of Color (+ Their Counselors and Parents) Should Know When Applying to College
|
Sep 12, 2020 |
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214: Resources for LGBTQ+ Students from Campus Pride
|
Oct 07, 2019 |
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213: Self-Directed Learning (Why You Can Quit HS & Be Okay)
|
Oct 02, 2019 |
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212: Advice for Homeschooling Students
|
Sep 23, 2019 |
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211: Financial Aid Tips for International Students (and Their Counselors)
|
Sep 16, 2019 |
|
210: The Being Not-Rich Guide
|
Sep 06, 2019 |
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209: Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream
|
Sep 02, 2019 |
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208: Resources for First-Generation Students (and Their Counselors)
|
Aug 26, 2019 |
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207: 17 Things to Do Before Going to College
|
May 27, 2019 |
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206: 30 Ways to Center Equity And Justice Today w/ Marie Bigham
|
Feb 11, 2019 |
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205: That One Time a University Revoked More Than 60 Full Scholarships (And What You Can Do About It)
|
Dec 10, 2018 |
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204: What You Need to Know About Standardized Tests and Mistakes to Avoid
|
May 10, 2018 |
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203: 10 Ways Parents Can Support Their Students Through The College Application Process
|
May 09, 2018 |
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202: 25 Practical Ways to Reduce Testing Anxiety
|
Apr 06, 2018 |
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201: Test Optional Admissions 101: What, Why, Where, Who?
|
Apr 04, 2018 |
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124: College Interview Tips and Strategies
|
Dec 28, 2017 |