Podcast: College Admissions Decoded - Season 3
Welcome to Season 3 of the College Admissions Decoded podcast!
This podcast features NACAC member-experts in conversations that speak directly to parents, families, and the general public to help demystify the college admission process.
College Admissions Decoded examines how the college admission process works for the approximately 20 million students who apply each year. The series also spotlights how college admission in the US can continue to make progress toward more inclusivity, transparency, and service to students.
College Admissions Decoded offers a true insider's perspective on the world of college admission. See the Season 1 and Season 2 episodes. We welcome your suggestions for future podcast topics and guests.
Latest Episode
Special Edition: Next Gen Admission Professionals Seek Balance, Values, and Self-Actualization at Work
Special Edition:
Angel Pérez, CEO of NACAC, talks with two up-and-coming college admission professionals about lessons learned from the pandemic, how to find workplaces that share your values, and what they think lies ahead for the next generation of college admission counselors.
Season 3 Episodes
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How to Approach the Final Decision on a College
The month of April can be stressful for high school seniors who are making their final decisions about college after four years of classes, extracurricular activities, standardized testing, essay writing, and so on. What should you consider now that you’ve been accepted to college or if you’ve been waitlisted, or even denied, admission? Our guests give their best advice for making good decisions as you consider all your college options.
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Why Take, or Not Take, a Gap Year
The gap year – that space after high school and before college devoted to experiential learning – can be magical and mystifying. Our guests define the gap year and its many iterations, offer grounded advice for deciding if it’s right for you, and point you to resources that can help you plan and successfully complete the gap year and the subsequent transition to college.
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How College Admissions are Different for Student Athletes
The admissions process is different for college athletes. What do they, and their families, need to know? When should they get started on their college preparation? And what should they watch out for in the recruiting process?
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How to Make the Most Out of College Visits
College visits are the best way for students to gather information on the schools they are considering. But visits can be a big investment of time and money and, sometimes, it’s hard to avoid the sales pitches and get an accurate picture of a college. The right plan and the right mindset are essential for the visit to be worthwhile. Knowing what questions to ask, and who to ask, is essential.
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What Non-academic Factors Actually Influence College Admissions
Beyond grades, test scores, and class rank, what non-academic factors do colleges consider when making decisions on whom to admit? And how should students present their nonacademic selves? We’ll talk about these questions, and discuss college interviews and recommendation letters, too.
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The Keys to Building a Good College List S3, E2
The Keys to Building a Good College List
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Strategies for Acing the College Essay, S3, E1
What are colleges looking for in an essay?
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