Best Dartmouth Admissions Podcasts (2025)

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5 Resume Mistakes That Kill Top College Dreams 52:03

Play Pause

2h ago52:03

52:03

Want to have us analyze your current profile for top colleges in an upcoming episode? Email us at [email protected] Unfortunately, despite possessing excellent grades, course rigor, and test scores, the vast majority of applicants to top colleges lack the type of compelling resume outside the classroom that actually differentiates accepte…

1
How Top Colleges Evaluate Your Application Strategy 29:08

2d ago29:08

29:08

Want to have us analyze your current profile for top colleges in an upcoming episode? Email us at [email protected] Early decision, or placing a binding commitment, is the strongest possible signal of demonstrated interest at any top college and is often rewarded with a significant increase in a student’s chance of admission. In this epis…

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College Is Opportunity 51:16

2h ago51:16

51:16

For many students around the world, college presents a rare opportunity to change the arc of a life, to pursue the fabled “American Dream,” where anything can happen for anyone. But for those who are first in their families to attend and graduate from college—a cohort known as “first gen”—the promise of upward mobility means navigating what, for so…

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Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions with Rich Braden 46:10

7h ago46:10

46:10

Harvard and Stanford educator and co-author of the bestselling book Innovation-ish Richard Braden joins me to discuss how his book can help my students. We explore how teens, parents, and aspiring innovators of all ages can develop the mindsets and skill sets needed to thrive in an ambiguous world. Rich shares how his book demystifies innovation, r…

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The Worst Major For Getting Into Top Colleges 45:43

7d ago45:43

45:43

Top colleges look to admit students with focused passions or “hooks” that they’ll uniquely contribute as part of the incoming freshman class. However, not all hooks—or the intended college majors they’re associated with—are created equal. And certain hooks/academic areas may even jeopardize students’ ability to earn admission to a top college at al…

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The Truth About Early Decision & Deferrals 23:21

9d ago23:21

23:21

In this episode, we dig into early vs. regular decision acceptance rates, what a deferral in the early round signals about a student’s chance of admission in the regular decision round, and how to understand and correctly analyze deferrals at various top colleges before potentially making other high-stakes decisions. —— “The Game” is hosted by Sam …

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An Admissions Newsfeeding Frenzy 57:25

9h ago57:25

57:25

The media's admissions beat is a very active feed each fall as application deadlines approach. Headlines invite clicks, shares, chatter...and often anxiety as students and parents consume newsfeeds that brim with content. But every admissions-themed article is not "news you can use," and some advice columns need a dose of interpretation. This week,…

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Top Colleges Want These 3 Traits 56:20

14d ago56:20

56:20

Top colleges fundamentally look to admit future high-impact scholars and leaders. In this episode, we analyze three characteristics or “signals” top colleges aim to identify in their applicants that are highly predictive of future promise. We explain why different components of the application should showcase different traits, and why sending the r…

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How Many Times Should You Take The SAT? 25:48

16d ago25:48

25:48

In this episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood topics in college admissions — how many times you should take the SAT or ACT. We cover the ideal test scores for top colleges, explain why retaking the tests carries virtually no downside, how to think about risk vs. reward, and why one top college’s “submit all scores” policy doesn’t cha…

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Admissions Quiz Bowl 1:00:59

7d ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Like most professions, college admissions has its own internal language, and that distinctive style of communicating is especially true as an application is read and summarized. In a special "quiz bowl" episode that fuses NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me with Jeopardy!, four veteran college counselors—all former admission officers who've read thousand…

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Mastery Training from the Global Impact Council training 27:02

5d ago27:02

27:02

Most people romanticize mastery. They talk about "grit" and "passion" and "work ethic," but avoid the uncomfortable truth: Mastery is build by failing-- over and over again. In public, in private, both big and small failures. Failure is followed by recovery and reflection and leveling up. In this recording, you can hear me teaching this idea to my …

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The Perfect Activity for Ivy Plus Colleges 1:16:55

21d ago1:16:55

1:16:55

For the first time, we reveal the anatomy of a “perfect” activity when applying to top colleges. Using real past examples, we illustrate why this activity is so differentiating and leaves almost every other resume-builder for elite admissions in the dust. —— “The Game” is hosted by Sam Hassell and brought to you by Great Minds Advising. Great Minds…

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Elite Colleges Don’t Want Well-Rounded Students (Except Here) 21:18

23d ago21:18

21:18

Assuming you haven’t been living under a rock since the 90s, you (hopefully) know by now that top colleges no longer want “well-rounded” students. The same old boring applicant admissions officers at top colleges see in droves––the student who plays sports, the violin, is editor of the school newspaper, and class president. The type of profile that…

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Can I Afford It?! 48:01

9d ago48:01

48:01

Sticker shock is real. Perceptions of college affordability represent one of the biggest concerns that most families navigate as a college search unfolds, with a 2024 survey of US voters revealing that 77% of Americans see college as “unaffordable.” This week, the pod tackles that (mis)perception as Admissions Beat becomes “Financial Aid Beat.” Jus…

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The Math Trap: What Top Colleges Actually Expect 53:43

1M ago53:43

53:43

In this episode, we upack what top colleges actually expect from your math track. While many students targeting top colleges will have similar course rigor, we introduce a simple “two-slider” model to determine more precisely what math and other course levels are optimal. We consider a particularly difficult case study to further illustrate additio…

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Why Most Strategy for Top Colleges Is Wrong 21:29

1M ago21:29

21:29

In this episode, we dismantle the mythology of overrated concepts in admissions counseling such as “demonstrated interest.” We show why most of what students and families are told when it comes to applying to top colleges barely moves the needle and can even hurt a student’s candidacy by diverting attention from higher-priority concerns. We share a…

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Lessons from the Search: Parent POV 56:56

22d ago56:56

56:56

Like so many things, a college search often looks—and feels—better in hindsight. Parents are important eyewitnesses to a search as it unfolds and concludes, and they have plenty of stories to tell. Two parents from suburban communities full of high-achieving, ambitious students share thoughts and lessons from their children's respective searches a …

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Data Dive into the Transcript and Testing 53:51

1M ago53:51

53:51

A college application generates a lot of data. "The transcript is the heart of the application," Emily Roper-Doten of Brandeis notes, "and there's a story in that transcript." And while that story seems straightforward, admissions data is easily misunderstood, as a grade point average, SAT score, and class rank (when available) dance with the rigor…

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Why “Gifted & Talented” Programs Don’t Stand Out to Top Colleges 24:41

1M ago24:41

24:41

Masterclass Registration – Oct 15th @ 7pm ET (Zoom) In this episode, we tackle the question of whether “gifted and talented” programs and designations like Johns Hopkins CTY or Davidson Young Scholar actually matter to top colleges. While these labels may sound impressive, we break down why admissions officers may view them as redundant with other …

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The Hidden Odds Game of Elite Admissions 1:48:19

2M ago1:48:19

1:48:19

Masterclass Registration – Oct 15th @ 7pm ET (Zoom) Elite college admissions isn’t just about “getting to apply to Stanford” or “taking your shot at Penn”—it’s about layering every possible decision and advantage so that when the time comes, you’re not playing a lottery like everyone else. In this episode, we challenge students and families to reve…

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Let Your Life Speak in 650 Words or Fewer 49:35

1M ago49:35

49:35

By Sherri Geller, Ronnie McKnight

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Shaping Community, Finding Your Fit 1:07:17

2M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

From the annual conference of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling in Columbus, Ohio, an all-star cast of 12 deans and college counselors joins AB host Lee Coffin and recurring co-host Jacques Steinberg as they ponder the role of community in a college search and the ways an admissions committee "shapes" its campus vibe from t…

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The Enduring Value of 'Uni' in the U.S. 44:44

2M ago44:44

44:44

For decades, coming to America for university (or "uni," as it's known in the UK) has been the shared goal of students around the world. Today, that plan is less certain as geopolitical issues raise questions about the wisdom—and even the possibility—of coming to America for undergraduate studies. College advisors from the UK and India join AB host…

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Headline Headaches? Don't Let Them Derail Your Search 47:26

2M ago47:26

47:26

The national admissions beat is abuzz with fast-breaking stories as the next admissions cycle gets underway. “The fundamentals are the fundamentals,” AB host and Dartmouth Dean Lee Coffin tells recurring co-host and former New York Times reporter Jacques Steinberg. “But some policies are in motion.” The AB duo is joined by Matt DeGreef, longtime co…

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Seniors, It’s Time to Pivot from Discovery to Applying! 51:00

2M ago51:00

51:00

In the eighth season premiere, AB host Lee Coffin and his guests map the shift from discovering college options to applying to those choices. As high school seniors embrace the next phase of their college search, the Dartmouth dean is joined by a guidance counselor from Connecticut and the deans from Colorado College and Princeton as they offer tip…

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Prof. Elizabeth Lee: How Aligning with Core Values Helps You Rock College 36:22

3M ago36:22

36:22

Dickinson College professor Elizabeth Lee joins us to discuss how the aligning your choices around your core values helps you prepare for college and for long-term success. We discuss why her daughter, a high school freshman, signed up for the Ivy League Challenge, and how Professor Lee's experience teaching in college for over two decades made her…

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App Deep Dive: From Hook to ED Strategy 3:09:58

4M ago3:09:58

3:09:58

In this episode, we analyze the application strategy of a high-achieving student preparing to apply Early Decision in the 2025–26 cycle. We evaluate her academic and extracurricular profile, explore how to elevate her thematic positioning around identity, language, and global impact, and cover which colleges offer the best strategic fit for her ED …

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App Teardown for Student Targeting Yale & Stanford 4:15:00

4M ago4:15:00

4:15:00

In this episode, we break down the profile and application of a top student deciding between Yale/Stanford for early action in the upcoming 2025-26 application cycle. We analyze both the strengths and weaknesses in her profile, identify admissions hooks that portray the most compelling view of her resume, and overhaul the initial draft of her appli…

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Personal Statement College Essay Workshop wk 2 Your Garbage Draft 13:46

5M ago13:46

13:46

You’ve done the hard thinking. You’ve found your insights, explored your contradictions, and reflected deeply. But now you’re stuck—staring at a blank page, unsure how to turn those ideas into a compelling college essay. In this episode, Steve explains why the next step is not perfection—it’s motion. You’ll learn how to choose the right moment to w…

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Most Overrated Aspects of College Admissions 2:40:50

6M ago2:40:50

2:40:50

Much of what students and families worry about or hear in college admissions actually matters less than they know. In this episode, we expose the most overrated pieces of the process—and traditional guidance—from the importance of leadership, service, and GPA weighting to launching “passion projects” or communicating with admissions officers. —— “T…

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How to Get your Personal Statement Done 16:46

6M ago16:46

16:46

If you’ve been putting off your college essay, dreading it like a monkey on your back—you’re not alone. But what if you could stop trying to sound impressive and start telling a story that actually matters? In this episode, I’ll guide you through the exact questions and strategies we used in the first week of my Personal Statement Workshop to help …

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Essay Workshop Prep Episdoe 19:58

6M ago19:58

19:58

The personal statement can be one of the most confusing and stressful parts of the college application — but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I share a few key do's and don'ts to help you avoid common pitfalls and start your essay with clarity and confidence. Whether you're staring at a blank page or already brainstorming ideas, these tips w…

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How to Get the College Essay Monkey Off Your Back — Before July 14:47

6M ago14:47

14:47

The personal statement is one of the most important — and misunderstood — parts of the college application. In this short, powerful episode, Steve Gardner explains why so many students struggle to get started, what the real purpose of the personal statement is, and how families can reduce stress and gain a competitive edge now, before summer slips …

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10 Ways To Ruin Your Admission Odds 31:12

6M ago31:12

31:12

In this episode, we flip the script and walk through the 10 fastest ways to sabotage your college admissions chances—so you can do the opposite. From staying “well-rounded” to avoiding commitment to a hook, we discuss common traps that smart students fall into. We cover why being passive and waiting for permission or perfection when it comes to res…

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Is Legacy A Backdoor To The Ivy League? 2:15:04

6M ago2:15:04

2:15:04

In this episode, we answer three listener questions on the following topics: how to best strategically position a pre-law student how to take college courses that improve your candidacy the role of legacy at top colleges and early application strategy —— “The Game” is hosted by Sam Hassell and brought to you by Great Minds Advising. Great Minds Adv…

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Reflections from a Rookie Dean 48:24

6M ago48:24

48:24

In the season seven finale, Dartmouth's Kathryn Bezella discusses lessons gleaned from her first year as an admissions dean with Lee Coffin, who just completed his 30th year in such a role. In a candid conversation about what they each bring to the conference table where decisions are made, the Dartmouth duo muse about the "roller coaster dynamic" …

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3 Lies Admissions Officers Love to Tell 1:23:33

6M ago1:23:33

1:23:33

In this episode, we reveal three common pieces of misinformation that admissions officers often convey to applicants and their families, breeding a false sense of complacency and a dangerously naive view of admissions at top colleges. In particular, we cover: how applications are actually reviewed, with many being discarded long before they are giv…

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Now What? 51:33

6M ago51:33

51:33

For many high school seniors, the college search is an all-consuming process with three clear goals: apply to college, get into college, pick a college. Then, in May, it comes to a hard stop. Now what? Mary Pat McMahon, vice president and vice provost for student affairs at Duke University and AB host Lee Coffin from Dartmouth map out in both pract…

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What Ivy League Admits Do After AP Exams 23:22

7M ago23:22

23:22

You’ve made it to the end of AP season—or you're just about to. So… what now? In this episode, I share what successful students actually do after their exams are over to prepare for college applications. These are the same strategies used by Ivy League, Stanford, and MIT admits—and they’re simple, clear, and powerful. You’ll learn: Why the summer a…

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Smarter Summer, Stronger Application 24:52

7M ago24:52

24:52

Are you feeling pressure to make the most of summer—but not sure what actually matters for college admissions? In this episode, Steve Gardner breaks down the three most common mistakes high-achieving students make when planning their summer... and shows you how to avoid them. You’ll meet: Sophia, who overloaded her schedule trying to impress colleg…

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The Story of Luis: How One International Applicant Found His Own Route to College 25:38

7M ago25:38

25:38

Meet Luis Aguero, a first-generation college-bound student from San Bernardino, Paraguay. Self-taught in English as well as the unfamiliar ways of the college admissions process in the United States, Luis navigated his admissions process entirely on his own: "I didn't have any information at all, I had to go out of my way to learn about the college…

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The Mindy Project: Admissions Edition 49:30

7M ago49:30

49:30

Mindy Kaling joins AB for its 100th episode as the multi-talented Hollywood star and Dartmouth alumna remembers her own college admissions process in which "I wasn't thinking about the correct things." A high-achieving "comedy nerd" who had been weaned on "mountains of flashcards,” Mindy ponders her journey from home to college as she battled procr…

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How My Daughter Got Into Dartmouth, by Tessymol Jose 48:13

7M ago48:13

48:13

Steve sits down with Tessymol Jose — the inspiring mother of Erica, one of our incredible students — to tell the full, raw story of their college admissions journey. This isn’t a sugar-coated success story. It’s a front-row seat to the overwhelming pressure, confusion, and heartbreak that so many ambitious students (and their families) experience w…

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"Trust Yourself": Advice from Applicants and Parents Who've Been Where You are Going 44:21

7M ago44:21

44:21

AB's third annual open-ended conversation with applicants and parents at Dartmouth's admitted student open house offers insights and tips from those who have just navigated a successful college search. AB host and Dartmouth Dean Lee Coffin and recurring cohost Jacques Steinberg field wide-ranging comments and questions about admissions-induced proc…

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Curiosity is a Skill to Develop 23:36

7M ago23:36

23:36

This episode is a special one — made especially for parents of Curiosity Lab students, but meaningful for anyone raising a curious preteen. Inside, Steve shares: Why curiosity is a skill, not a personality trait — and why that matters The five core pillars of the Curiosity Lab (and how they work together) Three powerful ways parents can support cur…

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Lessons from the Stage 52:11

7M ago52:11

52:11

Extracurricular activities, which are essential ingredients of any college application, yield lessons and skillsets that animate a student's story. Reflecting on his own experience in the drama club at Shelton High School in Connecticut, AB host and Dartmouth Dean Lee Coffin welcomes Gary and Fran Scarpa, the longtime directors of Shelton's drama p…

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How Passion Actually Works: From Disengagement to Mastery 1:03:37

7M ago1:03:37

1:03:37

Most teens today feel overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in the race to be impressive — all while secretly wondering: “How do some students become so great, so young?” In this episode, we break down the real process of building passion and achieving meaningful success — not by performing for approval, but by discovering purpose and leaning into long…

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How Not to Get into the College of Your Choice 41:39

8M ago41:39

41:39

Veteran college counselor Doug Burdett, from Brunswick School in Connecticut, joins his longtime colleague and AB host Lee Coffin as they ponder the lessons from their 30-year careers on both sides of the admissions counseling desk. Drawing from those innumerable interactions with students and parents, they muse about the unintended pitfalls that c…

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The Hidden Test: What Colleges are Really Looking For 24:23

8M ago24:23

24:23

What if the real test in college admissions isn’t the one you think it is? In this episode, we unpack “The Hidden Test”—the one that’s not on any syllabus and can’t be studied for with flashcards. Drawing from a powerful psychological experiment, wisdom from Ivy League deans Lee Coffin (Dartmouth) and Logan Powell (Brown), and real insights from th…

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Children Will Listen 41:40

7M ago41:40

41:40

Marcia Hunt, past president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the longtime dean of college advising at Florida's Pine Crest School, joins AB host Lee Coffin as he recreates his "Advice to Parents" presentation from Pine Crest's junior kickoff in January. As he shares his tips for successful admissions parenting, Hunt …