Shows
Just Admit It!Semester 10: Episode 9: Chris, Former Associate Dean of Admissions at Wesleyan UniversityJust Admit It! host, Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) sits down with Chris (former Associate Dean of Admissions at Wesleyan University) to hear about how his three-decade career in admissions informs his work as an IvyWise counselor.
2025-05-1429 minJust Admit It!Semester 10: Episode 8: Tasha, Formerly at Boston University and USCJust Admit It! host, Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) goes to the other side of the mic! Counselor Christine (formerly at Yale and Georgetown) interviews Tasha about her admissions experience and about her priorities as an IvyWise counselor.
2025-04-3025 minJust Admit It!Semester 10: Episode 7: Amanda, Formerly at Brown and The New SchoolJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) sits down with IvyWise Counselor Amanda (formerly at Brown University and The New School) to hear about her favorite parts of the admissions cycle and the approach she brings to her counseling.
2025-04-1626 minJust Admit It!Semester 10: Episode 6: Christine, Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and GeorgetownJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) speaks with IvyWise counselor Christine (formerly at Yale and Georgetown) to learn about the breadth and depth of her professional experience.
2025-04-0230 minJust Admit It!Semester 10: Episode 5: Rachel, Former Assistant Dean of Admissions at Swarthmore CollegeJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) sits down with IvyWise counselor Rachel (formerly at Swarthmore College) to hear about her admissions experience on the road and on campus, as well as her favorite and least favorite parts of the admission process.
2025-03-1928 minJust Admit It!Semester 10: Episode 4: Rod, Former Associate Director of Admissions at Case Western Reserve UniversityJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) shines a spotlight on IvyWise Counselor Rod (formerly at Case Western Reserve University) to hear about his extensive admissions recruitment experience and what he loves most about the college admissions world.
2025-03-0527 minJust Admit It!Semester 10: Episode 3: Amy, Former Admissions and Financial Aid Officer at HarvardJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) sits down with IvyWise Counselor Amy (formerly at Harvard) to hear about her favorite parts of the admissions process and why she loves counseling students.
2025-02-1929 minJust Admit It!Semester 10: Episode 2: Lloyd, Formerly at Yale and VassarJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) sits down with IvyWise Counselor Lloyd (formerly at Yale and Vassar) to hear about his wide breadth of experience and his favorite part of the application process.
2025-02-0532 minJust Admit It!Semester 10: Episode 1: Alecia, Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Duke UniversityJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) shines the spotlight on IvyWise counselor Alecia (formerly at Duke University) and learns about her experience, expertise, and more.
2025-01-2926 minJust Admit It!Semester 9: Episode 6: Giving Back While Gaining Skills — Meaningful Volunteer OpportunitiesJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) chats with IvyWise Counselor Nat (Formerly at NYU) to discuss the importance of volunteer opportunities to build your student profile.
2024-11-1340 minJust Admit It!Semester 9: Episode 5: Leadership 101 — Essential Skills to Make an ImpactJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) chats with IvyWise counselor James (formerly at USC, USC Marshall School of Business, University of Illinois-Chicago, and University of Utah) about the importance of leadership in making a strong student profile for college admissions.
2024-10-3028 minJust Admit It!Semester 9: Episode 4: From Interest to Expertise — Leveraging Research MentorshipJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) chats with IvyWise Research Mentor Maya (Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University) about the value of conducting research during high school to build your profile.
2024-10-1632 minJust Admit It!Semester 9: Episode 3: Summer Success — Academic Programs on College CampusesJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) chats with IvyWise counselor Alecia (formerly at Duke) about the exciting opportunity provided by summer and pre-college programs.
2024-10-0233 minJust Admit It!Semester 9: Episode 2: From Hobbies to Highlights — Extracurriculars to Focus OnJust Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) chats with IvyWise counselor Christine (formerly at Yale and Georgetown) about the importance of intentional and impactful extracurricular activities.
2024-09-1830 minJust Admit It!Semester 9: Episode 1: What Does It Mean to Build Your Profile?Just Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) kicks off Semester 9 of the podcast with IvyWise counselor Katie (formerly at MIT), discussing what profile building really means. They look back at Semester 7: Episode 6 ("What Does It Mean To Build Your Profile?" with Rachel [formerly at Swarthmore College]) and give updated definitions and examples of different aspects of the college applicant profile.
2024-09-0450 minJust Admit It!Semester 8: Episode 8: How to Build a Strong Candidacy, No Matter Your “Chances”IvyWise counselor Meg (formerly at Princeton and Amherst) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) get away from the numbers to discuss how to build a strong candidacy, no matter your “chances.”
2024-05-2934 minJust Admit It!Semester 8: Episode 7: The IvyWise KnowledgeBaseIvyWise counselor Rachel (formerly at Swarthmore College) and Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) discuss all that the IvyWise KnowledgeBase has to offer.
2024-05-1530 minJust Admit It!Semester 8: Episode 6: Data and Test-Optional PoliciesIvyWise college admissions counselor Chris (formerly at Wesleyan University) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) discuss data and test-optional admissions policies.
2024-05-0132 minJust Admit It!Semester 8: Episode 5: Using Data to Build Your Balanced College ListIvyWise college admissions counselor Carolyn (formerly at Vanderbilt University) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) discuss how to use data to build your balanced college list.
2024-04-1734 minJust Admit It!Semester 8: Episode 4: What Are My Chances? Probability and Chance CalculatorsIvyWise counselor Robin (formerly at Vanderbilt University and Georgetown University) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) discuss college admissions chance calculators.
2024-04-0336 minJust Admit It!Semester 8: Episode 3: Data Versus Anecdotal EvidenceIvyWise counselor Nat (formerly at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) compare data versus anecdotal evidence in the college admissions process.
2024-03-2032 minJust Admit It!Semester 8: Episode 2: Admissions Data Is Everywhere. But What Matters?IvyWise counselor Kimberly (formerly at Rice University and Vassar College) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) answer the question: Admissions data is everywhere. But what matters?
2024-03-0635 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 10: What Does It Mean To Be ”Flat” or ”LMO”?IvyWise counselor Kimberly (formerly at Rice University and Vassar College) and host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) answer the question: What does it mean to be "flat" or "LMO"?
2023-12-1529 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 9: What Is Yield and Why Does It Matter?IvyWise college admissions counselor Carolyn (formerly at Vanderbilt University) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) answer the question: What is "yield" and why does it matter?
2023-12-0134 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 8: What Is a Hook?IvyWise counselor Robin (formerly at Georgetown and Vanderbilt) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) answer the question: What is a "hook" or a "hooked student"?
2023-11-1727 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 7: What Is Demonstrated Interest?IvyWise college admissions counselor Rod (formerly at Case Western Reserve University) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) answer the question: What is demonstrated interest?
2023-11-0337 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 6: What Does It Mean To Build Your Profile?IvyWise counselors Rachel (formerly at Swarthmore College) and Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) answer the question: What does it mean to build your profile?
2023-10-2035 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 5: What’s the Difference Between "Test-Optional" and "Test-Blind"Jenny (former admissions counselor at Washington University in St. Louis) and Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) discuss the differences between 'test-optional' and 'test-blind' admissions policies.
2023-10-0633 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 4: What Are the Different Types of Early Action Applications?IvyWise counselor Robin (formerly at Georgetown and Vanderbilt Universities) and host Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) crack the code by breaking down Early Action application types.
2023-09-2234 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 3: What Are ”Grit” and ”Fit”?IvyWise counselor Chris (formerly at Wesleyan University) and host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) answer the question: What are "grit" and "fit"?
2023-09-0829 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 2: What Is a ”Pointy” Student?In this episode, IvyWise counselor Alecia (formerly at Duke University) and our host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) answer the question: What is a "pointy" student?
2023-09-0126 minJust Admit It!Semester 7: Episode 1: What Is an Admissions Committee?In this episode, IvyWise counselor Tiffany (formerly at MIT and Colgate) and host Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) kick off Semester 7 by sharing insights into the admissions committee process.
2023-08-1836 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 10: What Is NYU Like?IvyWise college admissions counselor Nat (former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) shares insights into the academic offerings, campus life, and application process at New York University.
2023-06-2834 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 9: How Should I Tackle College Application Essay Prompts?In this episode, IvyWise counselors Robin (formerly at Georgetown and Vanderbilt Universities) and Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) share top tips on how to tackle college application essay prompts.
2023-06-1444 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 8: What Is Stanford University Like?IvyWise college admissions counselor Mike (formerly at Stanford University) shares insights into the academic offerings, campus life, and application process at Stanford.
2023-05-3131 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 7: Whom Should I Ask for Letters of Recommendation?In this episode, IvyWise counselors Kim (formerly at UPenn) and Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) share insight into the importance of letters of recommendation.
2023-05-1934 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 6: What Is Yale University Like?IvyWise college admissions counselors and Yale alumni Christine (former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown Universities) and Scott (former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale) share insights into the academic offerings, campus life, and application process at Yale University.
2023-05-0437 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 5: How Important Are Transcripts and Course Rigor?IvyWise college admissions counselors Robin (formerly at Georgetown and Vanderbilt Universities) and Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) answer a seemingly simple question: How important are transcripts and course rigor? They use examples and case studies to break down trends, the importance of course selection, and grades.
2023-04-2039 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 4: What’s Going On With Standardized Testing?IvyWise Master Tutor Carl and College Admissions Counselor Tasha discuss recent changes to the standardized testing landscape and share top test prep tips for college-bound students.
2023-04-0730 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 3: What Is MIT Like?IvyWise counselors Katie (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at MIT) and Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) share insight into the academic offerings, campus life, and application process at MIT.
2023-03-2441 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 2: What Is Columbia University Like?Eric (former admissions counselor at Columbia University) and Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) share insight into the academic offerings, campus life, and application process at Columbia.
2023-03-1732 minJust Admit It!Semester 6: Episode 1: What Is the U.S. Holistic College Admissions Rubric?For Semester 6, IvyWise counselor Tasha (former International Admissions Officer at USC and Assistant Director of International Admissions at Boston University) takes over as host. Tasha will be asking her fellow IvyWise colleagues about the different elements of the holistic college admissions rubric and about some of their former institutions.
In this season opener, Tasha asks Tiffany (formerly at MIT) and Krista (formerly at Johns Hopkins University) to answer a foundational question: What is the U.S. holistic college admissions rubric?
2023-03-1044 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Bonus Episode: What Should I Do if I Got Deferred?While getting deferred can be confusing and disappointing, it is important to maintain a positive attitude and take action as soon as possible. Eric (former admissions counselor at Columbia University) and Tiffany (formerly at MIT) explain what a deferral means, why it happens, and what deferred students should do next.
2022-12-1633 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 11: How Can College Students Prepare for Grad School/the Workforce?IvyWise Academic Advisor and Graduate School Admissions Counselor Indhika (formerly at Georgetown University), Kendra (former law school admissions counselor at Northeastern University), and Academic Advisor and MBA Admissions Counselor Nellie (formerly at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania) share their top tips for college students who are contemplating going to grad school and/or entering the workforce.
2022-12-1539 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 10: What Makes a Strong STEM and/or Pre-Med Student?IvyWise counselors Juhn (formerly at Stanford University School of Medicine and UC Berkeley), Krista (formerly at Johns Hopkins University), and Rod (formerly at Case Western Reserve University) share their advice for students who are interested in pursuing STEM and/or pre-med tracks. They also address a question from one of our loyal listeners about which universities feed the most students to medical schools.
2022-12-0843 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 9: What Are the Most Common Mistakes You See in College Applications?In this episode, IvyWise counselors Alecia (formerly at Duke University), Danielle (formerly at the University of Pennsylvania), and Kim (formerly at the University of Pennsylvania) discuss the most common mistakes they see when evaluating college applications and share their top dos and don’ts for college-bound students.
2022-11-1746 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 8: How Can Students Prepare for Admissions Interviews and Auditions?In this episode, Eric (former admissions officer at Columbia University and The New School) and Rachel (formerly at Swarthmore College) share top tips on what to expect during admissions interviews and auditions – and how college-bound students can stand out to admissions officers.
2022-10-2739 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 7: What Are Alternative-Ivy Leagues Like?In this episode, IvyWise college admissions counselors Judy (formerly at Georgetown University) and Krista (formerly at Johns Hopkins University) share insight into non-Ivy League universities that are experiencing dramatic increases in popularity, examining changes in acceptance rates, increases in application numbers and other factors that prospective college applicants should keep in mind.
2022-10-1334 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 6: How Can High School Students Use Executive Functioning Skills and Practice Stress Management During the College Application Process?In this episode, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor Robin (formerly at Georgetown University and Vanderbilt University), Executive Functioning Team Leader Lorenza, and Executive Functioning Coach Nicki share their top tips on how school high school students can further develop their executive functioning skills and practice stress management and self-care during the college application process.
2022-09-2931 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 5: Is the “Reach, Target, Likely” List Becoming More of a Spectrum?In this episode, IvyWise college admissions counselors Nat (formerly at NYU, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Skidmore College) and Chris (formerly at Wesleyan University) share insight into the ‘Reach’, ‘Target’, and ‘Likely’ categories and how the list is becoming more of a spectrum.
2022-09-1539 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 4: How Can I Improve My Personal Narrative Writing Skills?Unlike some creative writing, the personal narrative is clear and dedicated with its intent, narrative arc, and lesson(s) learned or taught. In this episode, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor and Academic Advisor Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) and Master Tutor Jonathan (B.A., Princeton University; M.A., Harvard University; M.Sc., Lund University) share their top tips on how students can improve their personal narrative writing skills.
2022-09-0851 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 3: What Do Students and Families Need To Keep in Mind When Planning for School Placement?With so many different factors to consider – from location and curriculum, to extracurricular offerings and counseling services – searching for the right K-12 options can be an overwhelming process for students and families to navigate. In this episode, IvyWise WiseStart™ Counselors Cheryl (formerly at Horace Mann School and Miss Porter’s School) and Nat (formerly at NYU, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Skidmore College) and Master Tutor Carl share their top tips on how to identify your best-fit school and successfully navigate the K-12 admissions process.
2022-08-2542 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 2: How Can I Ensure a Smooth Transition to College Life?When a student arrives at college – an exciting period of self-exploration and learning – adjusting to campus life and deciding on a major and future can be overwhelming. In this episode, IvyWise Academic Advising Team Leader and Law School Admissions Counselor Kendra (formerly at Northeastern University), Academic Advisor and Graduate School Admissions Counselor Indhika (formerly at Georgetown University) and College Admissions Counselor Jenny (formerly at Washington University in St. Louis) share their top tips on how college-bound students can prepare for the transition to university life and set themselves up to have the most joyful and successful college experiences possible.
2022-08-1841 minJust Admit It!Semester 5: Episode 1: How Did the 2021-22 Admissions Cycle Go?In the Semester 5 opener, IvyWise college admissions experts Chris (formerly at Wesleyan University) and Mike (formerly at Stanford University, NYU, and the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley) review the 2021-22 college admissions cycle, including changes in standardized testing, application numbers, and acceptance rates, and offer their predictions and top tips on how students can prepare for future admissions cycles.
2022-08-1142 minJust Admit It!Just Admit It! Semester 5 TrailerBack by popular demand: IvyWise’s Just Admit It! podcast returns for a fifth season! In this season, IvyWise admissions counselors, tutors, and executive functioning coaches will cover a variety of topics, including how to prepare for college life, what families need to consider when planning for the K-12 admissions process, how to improve writing skills, building a balanced college list, how to practice stress management during the college application process, tips for STEM and pre-med students, how to prepare for graduate school, and more! Tune in and follow us for expert advice from the IvyWise team. Our experts wi...2022-08-0100 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 11: How Can I Support My Student While Still Encouraging Independence?In this episode, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor Mari (formerly at MIT), Executive Functioning Team Leader Lorenza, and Executive Functioning Coach Nicki share advice on how parents can support their children through their educational journeys while still helping them become independent learners and extraordinary students.
2022-05-2635 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 10: What Different Types of Universities Are There?With over 3,000 four-year institutions in the U.S., it can be challenging for students to know where to start when researching universities to build their balanced college lists. There are so many different factors to consider, such as size, location and campus culture. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions counselors Carolyn (formerly at Vanderbilt), Krista (formerly at Johns Hopkins) and Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) shed light on all sorts of different institutions, including public vs private; rural vs suburban vs urban; small vs medium vs large; liberal arts colleges, arts colleges, institutes of technology and colleges...2022-05-1930 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 9: How Can I Prepare My Student for Self-Advocacy?It’s important for students to build a strong foundation in order to succeed throughout school, college, and life! In this episode, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor and WiseStart™ Counselor Christine (formerly at Yale and Georgetown) and Executive Functioning Coach Nicki share advice on how parents, teachers, and other educators can help students prepare for self-advocacy.
2022-05-1235 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 8: What Is the Admissions Process Like for Non-Traditional Medical School Programs?Thinking about going to med school? In this episode, IvyWise admissions experts Juhn (former MD Admissions Officer at Stanford University School of Medicine and Pre-Medical Advisor at UC Berkeley) and Katie (former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at MIT) discuss the medical school admissions process, focusing on the process for non-traditional programs, such as BS/MD programs.
2022-04-2843 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 7: What Does "Holistic Review" Really Mean?Most U.S. universities use a ‘holistic review’ process when evaluating applications, meaning admissions committees place emphasis on the student as a whole person. Colleges want to build well-rounded classes made up of specialists who can contribute to the campus communities in ways other than just academic performance. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Krista (formerly at Johns Hopkins University) and Tiffany (formerly at MIT, the University of Virginia, and Colgate University) break down what the holistic review process entails and how universities build their first-year classes!
2022-04-1429 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 6: How Can Juniors Prepare for Senior Year?Junior year is one of the most critical college prep years, and with the Common App having already announced the personal statement essay prompts for the upcoming college admissions cycle, current juniors have the opportunity to get a head start on their essays before the rigors of senior year. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Mike (formerly at Stanford, NYU, and the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley) and Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) share their top tips on how high school juniors can prepare for senior year and the college application process!
2022-03-3141 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 5: Should I Take a Gap Year?Gap years are becoming increasingly popular: Many students are deferring college admission for a year to study, travel, work or volunteer. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Katie (formerly at MIT) and Nat (formerly at NYU, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Skidmore College) share advice on how students can determine if taking a gap year is the right decision for them – and offer tips on how to make the most of a gap year!
2022-03-1737 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 4: How Do I Choose My Best-Fit Admissions Offer?There are many factors for students and families to consider when deciding where to enroll! It’s also important to realize that priorities might have changed in the months leading up to admission decisions, so a university that was once a top choice could easily end up at the bottom of a student’s list after decision notifications come in. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Christine (formerly at Yale and Georgetown Universities), Eric (formerly at Columbia University and The New School), and Victoria (formerly at The University of Chicago and Sarah Lawrence College) share tips to help stud...2022-03-1044 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 3: How Can I Make the Most of Campus Visits?
Visiting campuses — whether virtually or in-person — is a crucial part of the college prep process! In this episode, IvyWise counselors Mike (formerly at Stanford University) and Rachel (formerly at Swarthmore College) are joined by Eric (former admissions counselor at Columbia University and The New School) to share advice on how students and families can make the most of their college tours.
2022-02-2436 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 2: What Should I Do Over Spring and Summer Breaks?As we start getting ready for warmer weather, many students might be wondering how they can have productive and impactful spring and summer breaks. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Krista (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Johns Hopkins University), Mike (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford University), and Tiffany (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at MIT) share advice on how high school students can continue to explore their interests – and stay on track with their college admissions goals – over the upcoming school breaks.
2022-02-1730 minJust Admit It!Semester 4: Episode 1: Should I Transfer?In the Semester 4 opener, IvyWise college admissions experts Mike (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford University), Amy (Former Associate Director of Admissions at Bucknell University), and Juaquin (Former Admissions Officer at Occidental College) discuss compelling reasons to transfer to a different college, what the transfer admissions process entails, and how to make the most of your time at your current institution.
2022-02-0330 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 11: What should I do if I got deferred?Receiving a deferral decision can be disappointing and confusing, but it’s important for students to stay positive and view it as a second chance to highlight their accomplishments. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Carolyn (formerly at Vanderbilt University) and Tasha (formerly at USC and Boston University) explain what a deferral means, why it happens, and what steps deferred students should take next.
2021-12-1744 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 10: What should students do over winter break?Although winter break is meant to be a time to hit the slopes, drink hot chocolate, and relax around the fireplace, it is also important for students to stay engaged and on track with their college prep so that they don't fall behind in the hyper-competitive college admissions process. In this episode, IvyWise experts Christine (formerly at Yale and Georgetown Universities) and Mike (formerly at Stanford University, NYU, and the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley) share advice on how students can stay on track with their college prep goals over winter break.
2021-12-0232 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 9: How can middle schoolers start preparing for high school now?While the transition to high school can be intimidating, there are several things that middle schoolers can do now in order to lay the foundation for a successful high school career. In this episode, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor Christine (formerly at Yale and Georgetown Universities) and Executive Functioning Coaches Lorenza and Nicki share advice on how middle schoolers can start preparing for high school now.
2021-11-1142 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 8: What should 9th and 10th graders be doing now for college prep?It takes time, patience, and the right combination of nurturing and independence to help the seeds of college ideas grow into bountiful plans. 9th grade is the ideal time to start cultivating those sprouts of college dreams, as it gives students time to mature and explore subjects and activities that interest them, and that will eventually grow into academic and career goals. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Juaquin (formerly at Occidental College and Wesleyan University) and Robin (formerly at Georgetown and Vanderbilt Universities) share advice on how high school freshmen and sophomores can plant the seeds for c...2021-10-2841 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 7: How should medical school applicants prepare for interviews?Thinking about going to medical school? Typically, applicants will be invited to interviews any time between early fall and winter. Interviews can take place at any time once a secondary application is submitted, but most universities will wait until the fall semester begins so that applicants have the chance to interact with current med school students. In this episode, IvyWise Medical School Admissions Expert Juhn (Former MD Admissions Officer at Stanford University School of Medicine and Pre-Medical/Pre-Health Advisor at UC Berkeley) and IvyWise College Admissions Counselor Christine (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown) share advice...2021-10-1441 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 6: What are the different MBA application deadlines?Are you thinking about going to business school? Just like with the undergraduate admissions process, the earlier you start planning, the better! And, again similar to the undergrad admissions process, the majority of business schools offer multiple rounds of admissions. In this episode, IvyWise MBA & Graduate School Admissions Expert Nellie (Former Associate Director of Admissions at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania) and guest speaker Divinity Matovu (who got her MBA from Wharton and is the Founder & CEO of MBA Mama) discuss what all the different application deadlines entail and share advice for those who want to...2021-10-0739 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 5: Why are recommendation letters important?Most universities require recommendation letters for admission, but many students wait until the last minute to gather this essential piece of the college application puzzle. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Christine (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown) and Robin (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Georgetown) share advice on how students can cultivate strong relationships with their teachers, how they can choose which teachers to ask for recommendation letters, and when they should start asking for these letters.
2021-09-3041 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 4: How Can Students Start off the New School Year on the Right Foot?Amidst all the uncertainty during this busy back-to-school season, it might be hard for students to stay organized with their assignments and activities. In this episode, IvyWise college prep expert Christine (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown) and IvyWise Executive Functioning Coaches Lorenza and Nicki share advice on how students can develop their time management, organizational and study skills in order to start off the new school year on the best note possible.
2021-09-1643 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 3: What do all the different application rounds mean?Between Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Single-Choice Early Action, Regular Decision and Rolling Admissions, there are numerous options for students to choose from when it comes to deciding which application rounds to submit their college applications in. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Katie (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at MIT) and Krista (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Johns Hopkins University) explain what each application round entails and offer advice on how students can build their own best-fit college application strategies.
2021-09-0346 minJust Admit It!Season 3: Episode 2: How do I write a great personal statement and supplemental essays?Besides, grades and test scores, one of the most important elements of the college admissions rubric is the essay. While the Common App has the required personal statement essay, many universities also ask supplemental questions, which give admissions officers the chance to get to know more about the applicants. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Zach (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Boston College) and Katie (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at MIT) offer advice on how to write a meaningful personal statement and impactful supplemental essays.
2021-08-2646 minJust Admit It!Semester 3: Episode 1: What is the Common App?In the Semester 3 opener, IvyWise college admissions experts Katie (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at MIT) and Mike (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford) discuss different elements of the Common Application, including demographic info, essays, and the extracurricular activities section – and more! Drawing upon both personal and professional experiences with the platform, they share insight into how students can stand out to college admissions committees through the Common App.
2021-08-1235 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 11: How can parents help their students with the college prep process?The college admissions process is complex to navigate, so it’s natural for parents to want to jump in and take control of the process in an effort to alleviate their students’ stress levels. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the process is a big step towards independence for students – so, parents need to take a step back while still offering support. In this episode, IvyWise College Admissions Experts Christine (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown), Judy (Former Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Georgetown) and Meg (Former Associate Dean of Admission at Princeto...2021-07-0142 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 10: The U.S. versus U.K. University Admissions ProcessFor many secondary school students, one of the biggest decisions they have to make is where they want to pursue their higher education. In this episode, Christine (IvyWise Counselor and former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown), Scott (IvyWise Counselor and former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale), Martin (Founder of Campion College Consultancy and former Head of Careers and Higher Education at South Island School, Hong Kong) and Jenny (Keystone Tutors’ Regional Director of Asia) discuss the similarities and differences between the university admissions processes in the US and UK and share advice on what students ne...2021-05-2751 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 9: College Athletic Recruitment in the Time of COVID-19In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Amy (who was an Associate Director of Admissions at Bucknell, where she played volleyball at the Division I level as an undergrad and later on specialized in athletic recruitment advising), Juaquin (who was an Admissions Officer at Occidental and was a recruited swimmer at Wesleyan), and Nat (who was a Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi and was a recruited tennis player at Skidmore) share college prep advice for student-athletes and discuss how the pandemic has impacted the college athletic recruitment process.
2021-05-0644 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 8: The importance of building a strong foundationIn this episode, Nat (IvyWise College Admissions Counselor and WiseStartTM Counselor and Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi), Lorenza (IvyWise Executive Functioning Coach), Martin (Director of Upper School at Bennett Day School) and Jennifer (Upper School Counselor at Bennett Day School) discuss how building executive functioning skills and good study skills from a young age can help to set students up for success in high school, college and beyond.
2021-04-2237 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 7: How did the 2020-21 college admissions cycle go?In this episode, IvyWise counselors Christine (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown), Cara (Former Assistant Dean of Admissions at Colgate University) and Nat (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) review the 2020-21 college admissions cycle, including how COVID-19 and test-optional policies impacted students’ college prep and the number of college applications, and offer their predictions for future admissions cycles.
2021-04-1541 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 6: What should I do if I got waitlisted?Getting waitlisted can leave students feeling disappointed and anxious, but there are several steps students can take to improve their chances of being admitted. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Nat (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) and Christine (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown) share tips on what waitlisted students can do to optimize their chances of enrolling at their best-fit universities.
2021-04-0136 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 5: What do students and families need to know about the financial aid process?In this episode, IvyWise college admissions experts Nat (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) and Nellie (Former Associate Director of Admissions at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania) share insight into one of the most complex pieces of the college admissions puzzle: financial aid.
2021-03-2543 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 4: What are business school admissions committees looking for?In this episode, Christine (IvyWise Counselor and Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown) and Nellie (IvyWise MBA and Graduate Admissions Counselor and Former Associate Director of Admissions at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania) share insight into the complex and competitive business school admissions process. We also have a special guest joining us, Ed Hsu, who has a dual Columbia MBA/Princeton MPA degree and is now a Senior Adviser, Disruptive Technologies within the World Bank’s Infrastructure Vice Presidency.
2021-03-1839 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 3: What are medical school admissions committees looking for?In this episode, IvyWise Medical School Admissions Counselors McGreggor (Former Director of Selection at MIT, member of the Harvard Medical School Admissions Committee and Pre-Medical Advisor at MIT) and Juhn (Former MD Admissions Officer at Stanford University School of Medicine and Pre-Medical Advisor at UC Berkeley) share insight into the complex and competitive med school application process. Tune in now to learn about all aspects of the admissions process – from selecting undergraduate courses and MCAT test prep, to securing internships and researching med schools!
2021-03-111h 01Just Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 2: How do college admissions officers evaluate transcripts?The most important document in a college application is the transcript. Admissions committees are keen on applicants who have challenged themselves and excelled academically throughout high school. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions counselors Christine (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown) and Nat (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) discuss the importance of the transcript and share advice on why students should thoughtfully consider what courses to take each year and how to plan ahead for subsequent years.
2021-02-2536 minJust Admit It!Semester 2: Episode 1: What is the transfer admissions process like?With so much confusion about campus plans for the near future, it’s understandable that current college students want to re-evaluate their higher ed plans. In this episode, IvyWise college admissions counselors Amy (Former Associate Director of Admissions at Bucknell University) and Juaquin (Former Admissions Officer at Occidental College) explain how the transfer admissions process works and share tips on how students can build their balanced college lists and perfect their application materials. They also address some of the most pressing FAQs that we have been receiving from students who are contemplating transferring.
2021-02-1124 min
Uncut and Uncensored with Caroline Stanbury‘The Glass is Full’ with Caroline’s Dear Friend Dr. Kat Cohen, CEO & Founder of IvyWise, Leading Independent University Admissions Counselor, Female Entrepreneur, Best-Selling Author, and Mother‘The Glass is Full’ with Caroline’s dear friend Dr. Kat Cohen, CEO & Founder of IvyWise, Leading Independent University Admissions Counselor, Female Entrepreneur, Best-Selling Author, and Mother.’ The final episode of 2020 is an uplifting one where the dear friends discuss living your best life and how perception is everything.. is the glass half full or is it half empty… no, the glass is full!! An uplifting episode to close the year. Happy New Year, everyone! Thank you for all your support to ‘Divorced not Dead’ this year it’s really heart-warming. We’re looking forward to 2021 and hope you will continue...2020-12-3037 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 11: How do I get recruited?From football and basketball to tennis and rowing, there are a number of sports in which student-athletes can be recruited to play at the collegiate level, but it’s important for students to understand the basics of the athletic recruiting process before deciding if it’s an avenue they want to pursue. In this episode, IvyWise counselor Nat (former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) joins Eric (former Admissions Officer at Columbia University), both of whom went through the college admissions process as recruited athletes, to describe what the athletic recruitment process entails, and how...2020-12-2232 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 10: What extracurricular activities do I need to do?College admissions committees want to learn about their applicants holistically, including the causes they are passionate about and what they enjoy doing in their free time. At the end of the day, it’s not about how many activities you can add to your list, but more about your expertise and commitment to the pursuits that you are truly passionate about. In this episode, Eric (former Admissions Officer at Columbia University) and IvyWise counselor Rachel (Former Assistant Dean of Admissions at Swarthmore College) discuss the importance of identifying interests, forming a plan to make an impact both inside and ou...2020-12-1729 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 9: How many universities should I apply to?At IvyWise, we advise students to apply to about 10-15 colleges, with as close to an even distribution of target, reach, and likely institutions as possible. In this episode, IvyWise College Admissions Expert Rachel (Former Assistant Dean of Admissions at Swarthmore College) joins Zach (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Boston College) to share their top tips on how to create a manageable and balanced college list.
2020-12-1030 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 8: How do college admissions committees review applications?This special episode of Just Admit It! gives a sneak peek into an admissions committee via the IvyWise Roundtable process. Our unique Roundtable process simulates the real-world admissions committee that is found at top universities across the US. In this episode, IvyWise expert counselors Carolyn (Former Admissions Officer at Vanderbilt University) and Victoria (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago and Sarah Lawrence College) join Zach (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Boston College) to review one of our pro bono students’ profile, transcript, Common App personal statement, and Stanford University supplements. We've posted the app...2020-12-0339 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 7: When do I need to start planning for college?It’s never too early to start planning for higher ed! College admissions officers evaluate all four years of high school, so it’s crucial for students and families to start planning for college from 9th grade onwards. In this episode, IvyWise counselors Victoria (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago and Sarah Lawrence College) and Nat (Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) discuss when and how to start college prep.
2020-11-1947 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 6: Does ‘demonstrated interest’ really matter?In this episode, IvyWise counselors Victoria (Former Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago and Sarah Lawrence College) and Rachel (Former Assistant Dean of Admissions at Swarthmore College) explain why it’s crucial for students to demonstrate their interest in their top-choice universities – and provide examples of how (and how not!) to do so.
2020-11-0543 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 5: What's going on with standardized testing?In this episode, IvyWise counselor Nat (former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) joins Eric (former Admissions Officer at Columbia University) to offer advice on when and how students should start planning for standardized testing, discuss the important distinction between 'test-optional' and 'test-blind', and analyze how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting students' test prep plans.
2020-10-2230 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 4: What do admissions officers look for?Most U.S. universities use the ‘holistic review’ process when evaluating college applications. This means admissions officers place emphasis on the applicant as a whole person, not just their academic achievements, so soft factors may be given just as much consideration as the empirical data present in hard factors. In this episode, IvyWise counselors Victoria, a former Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago and Sarah Lawrence College, and Christine, a former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown, break down the college admissions rubric and discuss examples of different hard and soft factors that admissions offi...2020-10-0841 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 3: Why do supplemental essays matter?In addition to the personal statement, many colleges and universities ask supplemental essay questions as part of the college application process. These essays can range from 100-250-word responses to short, 50-word "popcorn" questions. In this episode, Eric (former Columbia University admissions officer) and Zach (former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Boston College) spill the tea on what admissions officers are looking for in supplemental essays and what students can do to stand out.
2020-09-2432 minJust Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 2: What should I write about in my personal statement? EXTENDED EPISODEWriting the personal statement is often the most challenging aspect of college applications, so it’s no wonder that this is our most frequently received question from students. In this special extended episode of Just Admit It!, IvyWise college admissions expert Rachel (former Assistant Dean of Admissions at Swarthmore) joins Zach (former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Boston College) share their top tips on how to brainstorm and write college application essays, and what admissions officers are looking for when they read them.
2020-09-1045 min
Just Admit It!Semester 1: Episode 1: What’s going on with college admissions this year?In the debut episode of Just Admit It!, IvyWise college admissions experts Christine (former Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale and Georgetown) and Nat (former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi) join Eric (former Admissions Officer at Columbia) discuss how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting higher ed and how the high school Class of 2021 can navigate the altered application cycle this semester.
2020-09-0832 min