Note: To download the MP3 file for the interview you want, right-click the "download" button, then click the "Download Linked File" or "Save Target As..." option in the menu that will appear. If you don't have a right-click mouse, hold down the Control key, click the "MP3" link and then select the "Download Linked File" or "Save Target As..." option.

Advice from the Deans with Jordan Goldman

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
"Inside the Admissions Office" was a one-day, live-webcast event that brought deans of admission from eight of the country's most selective colleges to the campus of Wesleyan University to give advice and dispel myths about the college application process. Jordan Goldman, Founder and CEO of Unigo.com and moderator of the event, discusses highlights of the webcast and some of the critical information that was passed on. (December 18, 2009)
For further information, see WSJ on Campus

Student-College Matchmaking at Zinch.com with Mick Hagen

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
Mick Hagen, founder of Zinch.com, describes how students and colleges are using the Zinch.com web site to start a dialogue that helps students show colleges more about their talents and interests than most applications allow, and helps colleges identify students with interesting traits or characteristics that would add depth and diversity to their campuses. (October 9, 2009)
For further information, see Zinch.com

The Common Application with Rob Killion and Chad Massie

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
Rob Killion, Executive Director of the Common Application, and Chad Massie, Director of the Common App Online Technology Group, describe the now ubiquitous online application that so many private colleges (and a few public colleges) are now using in the application process. How does it work and what do you need to know? Find out in this informative interview. (September 25, 2009)
For further information, see CommonApp.org

StudentEdge.com with Molly Baab

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
Molly Baab, Director of the Consumer Web Experience at StudentEdge.com, discusses this free site's many customizable content areas designed to help 8th-12th grade students explore careers, search colleges, prepare for a wide array of tests (including SAT, ACT, and many others), track activities, write college application essays, and more. (September 11, 2009)
For further information, see StudentEdge.com

Making the Most of Your High School Counselor with Professor Abby Hirsch

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
The high school counselor is a critical member of a student's college preparation team. Counselors help students and families select the right college-prep courses, offer suggestions for extracurricular activities, understand the admissions process, and they write letters of recommendation. Hear strategies and tips for working with your high-school guidance counselor in this interview with Abby Hirsch, an admission counselor at Lehman University in New York and a former high school guidance counselor. (September 4, 2009)

The High School Counselor Week Newsletter with Gene Kalb

or right-click to
Gene Kalb, publisher of the online High School Counselor Week newsletter, describes this free online publication. Each week, he searches media outlets to find stories of interest to high school guidance counselors, independent counselors, college admissions officers, and interested parents, then provides a quick synopsis and link to the original stories. The newsletter makes it easy for busy counselors to stay on top of the news in the field.
For further information, see HSCounselorWeek.com (September 4, 2009)

Fall Athletic Recruiting Calendar for College-Bound Student-Athletes with Penny Hastings

or right-click to
Penny Hastings, co-author of the book, "Win a Sports Scholarship," discusses what seniors, juniors, and even sophomores should be doing in the fall months if they are aiming to find a place on an intercollegiate sports team. (August 21, 2009)
For further information, see WinASportsScholarship.com

Using Cappex.com in the College Search with Chris Long

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
Chris Long, President of Cappex.com, talks about the features of this free site, which helps match high-school seniors with colleges that fit each student's profile and interests. It also gives students listings of the merit aid available at each college, and provides information about how likely that student is to get admitted to any particular college (based on grades, test scores, gender, ethnicity, and more). (August 14, 2009)
For further information, see Cappex.com

The Case for Study Abroad with Sally Blount

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
Sally Blount, Dean of the New York University School of Business Undergraduate College and special advisor to the provost for global academic integration at NYU describes their new "Business and Political Economy" program, which requires three full semesters of study abroad and explains why the school is putting so much emphasis on overseas study. For high school students who are interested in study abroad during college, she also lists factors to look for in a study abroad program when considering colleges to which they will apply.
(July 17, 2009)
For further information, see NYU's Business and Political Economy Program

College Applications, Procrastination, and Teens with Justin Sachs

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
Justin Sachs, author of "Your Mailbox is Full: Real Teens in the Real World," explains why it is helpful, even essential, for students to take a step back and do some serious self-examinations to clarify their beliefs and goals before embarking on the college application process, particularly the college application essay, and how this clarity can help students craft application essays that become powerful personal declarations of who they and what their goals are.
(July 17, 2009)
For further information, see Motivate Your Teen.com

Gathering Information from College Web Sites with Jeannie Borin

or right-click to
College web sites are full of information--sometimes overwhelmingly so. Jeannie Borin, president and founder of College Connections, gives hints on how students and parents can navigate college web sites to hone in on critical information about a college's mission, core requirements, and more. (June 12, 2009)
For further information, see College Connections

Activities Resumes: What They Are, How They Are Used with Jeannie Borin

or right-click to
Jeannie Borin, president and founder of College Connections, discusses the components of a student activity resume and describes how they are used by those writing recommendations and reviewing college applications. (June 12, 2009)
For further information, see College Connections

Debriefing of the 2008-2009 Admission Season with Joanne Levy-Prewitt

or right-click to
Joanne Levy-Prewitt, an independent college advisor who works with students in the San Francisco Bay Area, discusses the past year's admission season and shares her observations on the need for financial safety schools on a student's list, the importance of extracurricular activities, and more. (May 29, 2009)
For further information, see Get Going Workshops

College Coach Recruiting Review with Chris Strausser

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
The Getting In EDU College Admissions Journal and web site provides students, parents, and counselors with direct access to the advice of today's college athletic coaches and admissions officers. Knowing what coaches and admissions officers are looking for helps student-athletes prepare for, research and get recruited by the right college. GettingInEdu.com founder Chris Strausser explains. (May 22, 2009)
For further information, see GettingInEDU.com

SAT vs. ACT: Which Should You Take? with Matthew Pietrafetta

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
Colleges will take either test, so how do you choose which is right for you? What is the difference between the SAT and the ACT, anyway? Find out in this informative interview with Matthew Pietrafetta, CEO and Founder of Academic Approach. (April 24, 2009)
For further information, see Academic Approach

College A or College B? Making the Final Decision with Joanne Levy-Prewitt

or right-click to
The admissions decisions are in, and now many students need to decide which college to attend, given two or more offers of admission. What are some factors that can help them choose? Joanne Levy-Prewitt, an independent college advisor and nationally syndicated columnist, gives ideas and advice on what factors to weigh. (April 3, 2009)
For further information, see NACAC Student Rights and Responsibilities

Senioritis: Insidiously Undermining College Options with Joanne Levy-Prewitt

or right-click to
A bad case of senioritis, when reflected on a student's final transcript in the form of a lowered GPA or tanking in a few classes, or manifested by breaches in ethical or even legal conduct, can not only affect student's financial aid packages but can also get a student's offer of admission revoked by the student's college of choice. Joanne Levy-Prewitt, an independent college advisor and nationally syndicated columnist, talks about senioritis and ways to avoid it. (April 3, 2009)
For further information, see http://www.ggworkshops.com

Connecting Families, Counselors and Colleges Through Naviance with Stephen Smith

or right-click to
Stephen Smith, CEO of Naviance, describes how high schools and families around the country are using their Workspace K12 software as a web-based communication tool for selecting high-school courses, exploring possible careers, and applying to colleges. (March 27, 2009)
For further information, see http://www.Naviance.com

Using Naviance at the High School Level with Terri Lewallen

or right-click to
Terri Lewallen, Director of the College and Career Center at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, discusses how she uses the Naviance Workspace K12 software program to motivate students in their academic achievement, and to keep students and families on track during the college application process. (March 27, 2009)
For further information, see http://www.Naviance.com

Demonstrated Interest: What It Is and Why It's Important
in the Application Process

or right-click to
Show host Beth Pickett gives an overview of demonstrated interest--the ways in which students show colleges how much they are really interested in attending a particular school--and how that can influence the student's chances of gaining admission. (March 20, 2009)

Help! I Got Waitlisted! with Matt Fissinger

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
Matt Fissinger, Director of Undergraduate Admission at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, describes what it means to be waitlisted, and details what students should and should not do if they get put on the waiting list at their top choice school. (March 13, 2009)

The Campus Visit with Kate Augus

Part 1 or right-click to
Part 2 or right-click to
Kate Augus, Director of College Counseling at the Head-Royce School in Oakland, California, discusses planning and strategies for making the most of a campus visit over spring break or at any other time of year. (March 6, 2009)
For further information, see http://www.unigo.com

The College Coach as Admissions Advocate with Penny Hastings

or right-click to
Penny Hastings, author of the book, "How to Win a Sports Scholarship," discusses the college coach's role in advocating for admission of student-athletes. (March 6, 2009)
For further information, see http://www.winasportsscholarship.com

Performing Arts Admissions with Kavin Buck and Ed Schoenberg

Part 1 of 2 or right-click to
Part 2 of 2 or right-click to
Admissions for the performing arts--music, dance, and theater--require not only the standard application for admission, but an audition as well. Buck and Schoenberg, co-authors of "A Guide to College Choices in the Performing and Visual Arts," discuss the audition process and other considerations for aspiring performing artists. . (January 23, 2009)
For further information, see www.lulu.com/southlabrea

College Athletic Recruiting with Jeffrey Durso-Finley

Part 1 of 2 or right-click to
Part 2 of 2 or right-click to
Jeffrey Durso-Finley, director of college counseling at the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and author of the book, "Understanding Athletic Recruiting," discusses goal-setting and recruiting timelines for students who wish to continue playing their sport at the intercollegiate level. (January 23, 2009)
For further information, see www.lawrenceville.org

"Fit" in College Selection and Admission with Maria Furtado

or right-click to
Maria Furtado, Director of Admission at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, discusses what it means for students to seek out and find the right "fit" in a college, and how the National Survey of Student Engagement can provide useful data to help students and families consider colleges based on student outcomes and involvement rather than relying solely on selectivity or magazine rankings. (December 12, 2008)
For further information, see Colleges That Change Lives

College Options and Applications for Visual Arts Students
with Kavin Buck and Ed Schoenberg

Part 1 of 2 or right-click to
Part 2 of 2 or right-click to
Students interested in studying the visual arts in college have many options in terms of university-based or art-school based programs. Buck, of UCLA's School of Arts and Architecture, and Schoenberg, of Otis College of Art and Design, co-authors of "A Guide to College Choices in the Peforming and Visual Arts," describe the considerations for each, and discuss how to begin pulling together a portfolio of work that these schools require. (December 5, 2008)
For further information, see http://www.lulu.com/southlabrea

Strategies for Tackling the College Application Essay with Jeffrey Durso-Finley and Holly Burks Becker

Part 1 of 2 or right-click to
Part 2 of 2 or right-click to
Co-directors of college counseling at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, Durso-Finley and Burks Becker bring their many years of experience to bear on the question of why many students have trouble writing college application essays. They then provide suggestions for de-stressing the students so that their creativity can flow. (November 7, 2008)

Strategies for Attending a College Fair with Tom DaRin

or right-click to
Tom DaRin, immediate past chair of the National Association for College Admissions Counselor's National College Fair Committee, describes college fairs and gives tips on how to make the most of it for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. (October 31, 2008)
For further information, see NACAC List of College Fairs

Highlights from the NACAC Conference with Troy Hammond

Part 1 of 2 or right-click to
Part 2 of 2 or right-click to
Troy Hammond, Director of College Counseling at Bayview Glen School in Toronto, Canada, reports on the National Association for College Admissions Counseling's annual conference in Seattle, where high school counselors and college admissions representatives gather to exchange ideas and discuss best practices for helping students and families make the high-school-to-college transition. (October 31, 2008)

College Entrance Exam Calendar for High School Juniors with Beth Pickett

or right-click to
Junior year is a big year for testing, with SATs, SAT2s, and ACTs. How many should you take, and when? And what about those AP exams? Countdown to College Radio host Beth Pickett walks you through one possible testing calendar for junior year and explains the logic behind what to take and when. (October 24, 2008)

Sorting Through College Options: Publics, Privates, and More with Beth Pickett

or right-click to
There are nearly 4,000 colleges in the U.S. One of the first ways to begin categorizing those schools so that students can understand better what their choices are is to understand the differences among public schools (community colleges, state colleges, and state universities), private schools, federal schools (i.e., the military academies such as the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy), and the international college options open to U.S. students. (October 3, 2008)

Sorting Through Early Application Options with Beth Pickett

or right-click to
Countdown to College Radio Show host Beth Pickett sorts through Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, and other college application options that many parents and students find so confusing these days. (September 19, 2008)

Finding the Right Fit: A College's Student Population Size with Beth Pickett

or right-click to
Countdown to College Radio Show host Beth Pickett discusses how to use visits to local college campuses to help determine what college population size is right for you. (September 12, 2008)

September Calendar Items for College-Bound Juniors and Seniors

or right-click to
Countdown to College Radio Show host Beth Pickett talks about college entrance exams, and why juniors should be taking them this year. She also goes through the senior year calendar, and what seniors should be doing this month to plan and pace themselves now that the application season is upon us. (September 5, 2008)