Best Admissions Consultant Podcasts (2025)

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Navigating Fear, Misconceptions, & Social Media in College Admission with Jennifer (Jenn The Tutor) Jessie, College Admission Consultant 1:43:52

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16d ago1:43:52

1:43:52

In this episode, Paul sits down with Jennifer, a college admission counselor best known as Jenn the Tutor, to debunk myths and misconceptions about getting into college. Jennifer shares her journey from law school to education, her community-oriented approach to guiding students, and why she believes authenticity matters more than chasing prestige.…

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International Student Recruiting in Higher Education—23 Touchpoints, Visa Barriers, and Retention Risks for Boards 36:27

2h ago36:27

36:27

Families are writing universities directly to ask if it’s safe to send their children to the United States. Institutions are also facing longer visa backlogs and growing competition from abroad. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Roger Douglas, Dean for International Programs and Development at …

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New B.S. in Artificial Intelligence with Vice Dean Erik Johnson and Executive Vice Dean Gaurav Sukhatme 1:31:06

2d ago1:31:06

1:31:06

In this episode, Paul sits down with Erik Johnson and Gaurav Sukhatme to discuss the launch of a brand-new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree program coming in Fall 2026. Together, they explore how the program was developed, the three specialized tracks it will offer, and what makes it distinct from computer science and other eng…

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Enrollment Management Solutions in the Enrollment Cliff Era 24:02

7d ago24:02

24:02

This episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast focuses on enrollment management solutions presidents and boards can use to navigate the enrollment cliff. Bill Conley and Bob Massa of Enrollment Intelligence Now join Dr. Drumm McNaughton to share practical guidance on setting realistic enrollment goals, aligning enrollment with finance, and managin…

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How Law School Hiring Has Changed (Rapidly) & How That Impacts Admissions 46:39

7d ago46:39

46:39

The landscape of legal recruiting in law school has changed significantly over the past 5-7 years. What should prospective law students know about what's changed so rapidly, and how has it impacted how admissions officers make their decisions? What caused these changes (11:04), how do they impact 1Ls (16:15), and what are admissions officers increa…

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#230 Five Keys to MBA Admissions Success with N'doli Jean-Hugues Cherif, Insead MBA '26 1:26:14

8d ago1:26:14

1:26:14

Darren talks with N'doli Jean-Hugues "Cherif," a French and Ivorian candidate who gained admission to both INSEAD and London Business School's MBA programs. Cherif, an older full-time MBA candidate with diverse experience across five roles - including audit, management consulting, investment banking and infrastructure project finance in the public …

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Chemical Engineering, Polymers & Pharmaceuticals, and LGBTQ identity with Makana Krulce, B.S. Chemical Engineering '15 1:25:03

9d ago1:25:03

1:25:03

In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumna Makana Krulce to explore her journey from studying polymers at USC to working in global pharmaceutical consulting. Makana shares how her hands-on experience in Germany shaped her career, reflects on founding the USC student organization Queers in Engineering, Science, and Technology (QUEST), and d…

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Beyond the Headlines: Reframing Enrollment Management in the Enrollment Cliff Era 33:12

14d ago33:12

33:12

Institutions face converging pressures that are reshaping enrollment management. Declining participation rates, tuition discounting that erodes net revenue, international enrollment volatility, and political mandates are forcing colleges to rethink how they attract and retain students. Enrollment management is no longer just admissions and aid — it…

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Study in Canada 2025: University of Niagara Falls Canada’s Edge for Ambitious Indian Students 25:15

20d ago25:15

25:15

Dreaming of studying in Canada? In this episode of The Indian Scholar, your host Kritin Sawhney explores why the University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is becoming a top choice for ambitious Indian students looking for a future-ready education abroad. 🎙️ Featuring exclusive conversations with: David Gray, Provost and Vice-President, Academic Ravi…

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Caltech’s Approach to Stronger Private Board Governance 35:14

21d ago35:14

35:14

Caltech’s board once had nearly 80 members; too many for focused discussion or quick decisions. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Cathy Light, Caltech’s Secretary of the Board, about how the institution streamlined governance, strengthened committees, and made trustee reorientation mandatory. Light,…

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UVA Law Admissions Dean Natalie Blazer on the 2025-26 Cycle, Rising LSATs/GPAs, the "Why UVA" & More 44:08

23d ago44:08

44:08

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Anna Hicks-Jaco interviews Natalie Blazer, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Chief Admissions Officer at the University of Virginia School of Law, on the upcoming 2025-2026 admissions cycle, how applicants should be thinking about and taking into account relevant current events, and advice for prospectiv…

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Construction Management, Lacrosse, Sorority Life, and Study Aboard experiences with Natalie Dana (Alvarez), BS Civil Engineering (Building Science) '14, MS Green Technologies '15 1:17:17

23d ago1:17:17

1:17:17

In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumna Natalie Dana (Alvarez) about her interdisciplinary path through civil engineering and architecture, her career in sustainable construction at Turner Construction, and how her time at USC, from study abroad to football games, shaped her journey. They also discuss the future of engineering education, A…

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How University Leaders Can Transform Institutions with Program Realignment and Scalable Mental Health Services 38:26

30d ago38:26

38:26

40% of California’s licensed doctoral psychologists come from one university that nearly failed a decade ago. Their turnaround didn’t come from diversifying programs or chasing enrollment—it came from making the hardest decision in higher ed: cutting what wasn’t excellent. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton spe…

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Bill Treanor on 30+ Years as a Law School Dean & Standing Up to Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin 51:02

28d ago51:02

51:02

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Mike interviews William ("Bill") Treanor on his long and recently-concluded tenure as Dean of Georgetown University Law Center as well as his experiences and perspectives from a 40-year career. Bill talks about the the biggest changes he's seen during his time in legal education (16:06), the coming chang…

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Cadaver Labs, Medical Devices, and Marketing with Pooja Sharma Rao, B.S. Biomedical Engineering (Biochemical) '07 1:25:50

30d ago1:25:50

1:25:50

Welcome to Viterbi Voice Season 11! In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumna Pooja Sharma Rao to talk about her unique career journey at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and business. From hands-on experiences in cadaver labs to developing and marketing medical devices, Pooja shares how her time at USC prepared her for a dynami…

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Helping First-Gen and Low SES Students Succeed: A Regional Model That Works 38:20

1M ago38:20

38:20

With first-generation and low SES students facing steep barriers to completion and career entry, Great Jobs KC has built a replicable model that starts in high school, continues through college, and delivers real workforce outcomes. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Great Jobs KC CEO Earl Martin Ph…

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Washington Update: July 2025 Reconciliation Bill’s Impact on Higher Ed 38:48

1M ago38:48

38:48

Higher education leaders are facing the most sweeping set of federal regulatory and funding changes in over a decade. In this Washington Update episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton welcomes back frequent guest Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies, to discuss the July 2025 budget reconciliation bill—federal…

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Building a Connected College by Aligning Strategy and Services 37:26

2M ago37:26

37:26

Most colleges rely on more than 20 disconnected systems to support students, creating confusion, reducing engagement, and lowering graduation rates. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Elliot Felix is the founder of brightspot Strategy (acquired by Buro Happold in 2020) and the author of The Connecte…

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Military Applicants: Law School Admissions Strategy & More with Harvard Law Grad Brian Henson 1:13:04

2M ago1:13:04

1:13:04

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Spivey J.D. admissions consultants Danielle Early (former Associate Director of Admissions at Harvard Law School and military/veteran admissions specialist) and Mike Burns (former Director of Admissions & Financial Aid at Northwestern Law and Navy veteran) interview Brian Henson, a former consulting clie…

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Using AI to Fix Admissions and Enrollment Without Losing the Human Touch 38:22

2M ago38:22

38:22

AI can change how colleges and universities approach enrollment, making it faster, fairer, and more aligned with student success. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Ashish Fernando, founder and CEO of EDMO and iSchoolConnect, about how institutions can use artificial intelligence to improve admissions, a…

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Interview with Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Michael Levy 38:38

2M ago38:38

38:38

Dr. Tania Heller has a discussion with Dr. Michael Levy, board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Co-founder and Director of IVF at Shady Grove Fertility (SGF). The content of the podcast is for general informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice.By Tania Heller, MD

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How Utah State Is Using a Connected Campus to Boost Student Engagement and Persistence 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

Digital transformation in higher education often focuses on technology. But for Utah State University, the transformation has been about outcomes: improving retention, strengthening equity, and building scalable systems of support without overhauling infrastructure. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks wit…

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Strategies to Help Adult Learners Re-Enroll and Graduate 37:53

2M ago37:53

37:53

How Cross-Sector Partnerships Help Adult Learners Return, Persist, and Complete Degrees With over 41 million adults in the U.S. holding some college credit but no degree, colleges and universities are under pressure to implement effective adult learner enrollment strategies. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton sp…

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High Structure Course Design for Student Engagement, Retention, and Success 40:38

3M ago40:38

40:38

Higher education leaders are searching for better ways to engage students, improve retention, and close equity gaps—especially in the wake of COVID-related learning disruptions. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Justin Shaffer, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Teaching Professor in …

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Top 25 Admissions Tips from Former Harvard Law Admissions Officer & New Spivey Consultant Sam Parker 1:27:14

3M ago1:27:14

1:27:14

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Anna Hicks-Jaco interviews Sam Parker, Spivey’s newest admissions consultant, on her top 25 (or so) strategic law school admissions insights from her years as Associate Director of Admissions at Harvard Law School. They discuss advice for prospective law students getting ready to apply for the 2025-2026 …

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Shared Services and Consolidation Strategies for Small Colleges 33:26

3M ago33:26

33:26

Shared services and consolidation strategies are helping struggling small colleges stabilize operations, reduce costs, and pursue sustainable growth—without compromising institutional identity or student outcomes. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Jason Duggan, CEO of Thesis Elements, about ho…

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From Marine to Mentor: A Global Vision for Student Success 45:11

3M ago45:11

45:11

In this transformative episode of The Indian Scholar, we sit down with Scott Clyde, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management at Xavier University, Cincinnati. From his early days in the U.S. Marine Corps to shaping student journeys in higher education, Scott shares powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, and purpose-driven enrollment. …

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Adding Leadership Development to Academic Curriculum Design in Higher Ed 28:24

3M ago28:24

28:24

While higher education leaders often cite leadership development as a priority, few institutions treat it as a teachable, measurable skill. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Scott Cowen about why leadership education should be integrated into the academic curriculum—and how institutions can implement …

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When DEI Is Off the Table: How Higher Ed Leaders Can Still Drive Institutional Change 45:14

3M ago45:14

45:14

Higher education’s approach to DEI is under fire—from political pressure, public skepticism, and internal fatigue. But abandoning DEI isn’t the only option. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Columbia Law professor Susan Sturm about how higher ed institutions can continue to drive inclusive institutional change…

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Aligning Higher Ed with Workforce Needs and Nontraditional Learners 31:36

4M ago31:36

31:36

Higher education is facing a growing disconnect between traditional academic pathways and the needs of today’s learners and employers. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab and author of Who Needs College Anymore?, about how institutions can realign aca…

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Dean Z of Michigan Law on Admissions Advice and AI: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly 38:41

4M ago38:41

38:41

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Mike Spivey and Anna Hicks-Jaco have a conversation with Sarah Zearfoss (also known as "Dean Z"), who has long led the admissions office at the University of Michigan Law School as Senior Assistant Dean and who hosts the admissions podcast A2Z with Dean Z. The group discusses using generative AI to write…

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Confronting the Storm: Resistance to Change and Current Attacks on Higher Education 37:43

4M ago37:43

37:43

Higher education faces increasing external pressures and diminishing public trust—creating an urgent need for institutional adaptation. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Brian Rosenberg, former president of Macalister College and author of "Whatever It Is, I'm Against It," about why resistance …

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Strategic Affiliation in Higher Education: What Colleges Can Learn from The Colleges of Law and TCS Education System 32:12

4M ago32:12

32:12

Strategic affiliation in higher education offers an alternative path for institutional sustainability—one that maintains mission and autonomy while accessing shared infrastructure and support. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Matt Nehmer, President of The Colleges of Law, about his institution…

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Waitlist Predictions for the 2024-2025 Law School Admissions Cycle 14:08

4M ago14:08

14:08

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Mike discusses the various factors that are at play for this cycle's waitlist season, his predictions for how it will go, and his advice for waitlisted applicants. For more on waitlist strategy, check out our Waitlist Deep Dive podcast episode! You can listen and subscribe to Status Check with Spivey on …

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Season 10 Finale & Host Hand-Off 1:00:28

4M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

Join us for Saafiyah's last podcast as our co-host! Saafiyah and Paul wrap up season 10 of the Viterbi Voices podcast and introduce the next co-host... Hannah! They reflect on Saafiyah's year as co-host, share plans for the end of the semester, and discuss what’s next for the podcast. Signing off, see you all in August! Text us a Question or Commen…

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Higher Education Strategic Planning That Drives Growth and Faculty Buy-In 34:20

4M ago34:20

34:20

Strategic planning in higher education isn't just about setting goals—it's about building the kind of stakeholder engagement and leadership alignment that can drive lasting institutional change. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Andrew T. Hsu, President of the College of Charleston, about how a col…

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#229 AI's Impact on MBA Careers: An Insider's Perspective 40:52

4M ago40:52

40:52

Darren confronts his own "AI anxiety" with Sabine King, Director of the Career Accelerator at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at University of New South Wales (UNSW). Together, they explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the demand for MBA graduates, the evolving strategies of career services, and how leading busi…

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How Southern Cross University Empowers Students For a Global Future? 44:35

4M ago44:35

44:35

In this episode of The Indian Scholar, we dive deep into the world of higher education, global careers, and the Southern Cross University advantage with two distinguished guests from Southern Cross University, Australia — Thomas Roche, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Quality), and Christine Martin, a leader in international education at Southern Cros…

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Nathan Justin’s Path to Finding a Passion in Computer Science 53:56

4M ago53:56

53:56

In this episode, Satwika talks with 5th year PhD student Nathan Justin about his take on software engineering, CS ethics and his journey towards a PhD. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!By USC Viterbi Undergraduate Admission

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From Nigeria to Hotchkiss & Brown : Elaine Oghoore 38:21

4M ago38:21

38:21

Elaine Oghoore is a junior at Brown University, where she is pursuing a degree in Business Economics. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, she is passionate about a career in financial services. Before attending Brown, Elaine graduated from The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. In addition to her academic pursuits, she co-founded Sweet Rush Ni…

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Capital Funding Strategies in Higher Education: How Universities Are Solving Infrastructure and Student Housing Challenges 32:47

4M ago32:47

32:47

With state capital support on the decline and infrastructure aging out of usefulness, higher education leaders are under pressure to find new ways to fund capital projects—without compromising mission, control, or long-term sustainability. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Drumm McNaughton explores creative capital funding strategies inst…

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Why Australia Stands Out For Indian Students ? 38:02

5M ago38:02

38:02

Thousands of Indian students pack their bags every year, heading to a new life in Australia—but what’s really driving that decision? In this episode of The Indian Scholar, we’re sitting down with Professor Ren Yi, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Southern Queensland, to dig into the real reasons why Australia stands out as a…

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Let’s Talk About “The STEMphony"! 38:38

4M ago38:38

38:38

In this episode, Jessica (AME ‘28) sits down with Emma (ASTE ‘28), Norah (ECE ‘28), and Alan (ASTE ‘28) to explore what it's like balancing the rigors of engineering with their passion for music. From acapella rehearsals to band camp, they dive into what inspired them to continue learning and performing music, how they got involved in their current…

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What’s Fueling the Collapse in Public Trust in Higher Education 32:54

5M ago32:54

32:54

Public confidence in colleges and universities has dropped dramatically—only a third of Americans say they trust higher education. In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Dr. Courtney Brown, Vice President of Strategic Impact and Planning at Lumina Foundation, about Gallup–Lumina’s latest findings and what institutional leaders must do to …

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Following a Law School Applicant Through the 2024-2025 Cycle (Part 3, Decisions & Wrap-Up) 40:43

5M ago40:43

40:43

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, we have our third and final interview with "John" (not his real name; u/Muvanji on Reddit), who we've followed throughout his law school admissions cycle for 2024-2025. John discusses his final decision on where to attend, his process of requesting scholarship reconsideration, his decision not to pursue …

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The Growing Influence of US Universities in India 18:37

5M ago18:37

18:37

Why are US universities expanding their presence in India? Why do millions of Indian students aspire to study in the US every year? In this special episode, we have Jerry Czub, VP of Institutional Partnerships at GROK Global, who will shed light on how American universities are attracting Indian students and focusing on setting up campuses in India…

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Finding Your Flow in Chemical Engineering 45:39

5M ago45:39

45:39

In this episode, Michaela (CHE ‘27) sits down with Zoe (CHE ‘27) to discuss what chemical engineering is really like, keys to success in a challenging major, balancing academics and fun clubs, and finding joy with friends and self-care at USC. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!…

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Using Faculty Satisfaction Data for Strategic Change in Higher Education 36:13

5M ago36:13

36:13

Most institutions survey their faculty, but few turn that data into meaningful action. This episode explores how higher education leaders can use faculty satisfaction data to inform strategic planning, strengthen shared governance, retain talent, and lead institutional change. Dr. Drumm McNaughton is joined by Dr. R. Todd Benson, Executive Director…