Admissions Uncovered - College Admissions and Applications Explained (Admissions Uncovered)

Jeffrey Wang is the founder of the r/UTAustinAdmissions subreddit. Today, he joins the podcast to talk about UT has essentially computerized half of the admissions process. UT gives each applicant an Academic Index and a Personal Achievement Index. Jeffrey explains how UT calculates these scores and how it uses them to evaluate applications. Turn out that UT's admissions process isn't so holistic after all. Stay tuned till the end for the wackiest part - applicants are literally given a coordinate pair that is supposed to encompass their entire application and placed on a 2D Cartesian grid. Wack!

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod56

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Instead of our usually scheduled episode, I'm playing a special episode from our spin-off podcast, Behind the Application. It follows ten high school seniors through their admissions processes, so we can hear straight from the people actually applying what the process is like. Check it out here (https://anchor.fm/behindtheapp).

Sign up for our college admissions boot camp (championshipadmissions.com) 

Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao - (bit.ly/calendargao)

Michael and Gonzalez talk about the pros and cons of gap years. Michael thinks it's always been an underrated option, but because of coronavirus, more and more people are thinking about taking one! We talk about what someone might learn on a gap year, why someone might take it, and how the calculus could be different if you come from a low income background. Get Angela Duckworth's book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance, it has a great discussion of how colleges look at high school extracurriculars Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information. Support us on Patreon Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao --- Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Instagram - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

This is a little different than our usual episodes. Today, I want to share three clips that really helped me think about what happened to George Floyd and what we should do now. The first clip is from Roxie Washington, the mother of George Floyd's child (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzd-TpZCCP4). Hearing the anger and the sadness in her voice... it's hard not to feel it as well. The second clip is from Trevor Noah, who gave a really clear analysis of what happened to George Floyd and the protests that followed. He has a very compelling response to people who divert the conversation to "looting" and I think his entire monologue is worth a listen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4amCfVbA_c). Finally, I was really affected by a clip from Baratunde Thurston - a Black comedian and writer - who had some great advice for what we, especially we non-Black folks, can do (https://megaphone.link/VMP3333920477).  

Donate here:

Memorial fund - https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

Local bail funds - http://bit.ly/localbailfunds

Great article for more of what you can do - https://www.thecut.com/article/george-floyd-protests-how-to-help-where-to-donate.html

Remember, if you donate, email or DM us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with your receipt. We will match the amount you give and you'll get a free hour of admissions counseling or test prep with Michael. 

To give Dominic and Nhi a much needed break, I (Michael) recorded a podcast with our friend Steve Schwartz from the College Admissions Toolbox. Check his work out at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/college-admissions-toolbox-podcast-college-applications/id1016715810?mt=2. Because Steve is an alumnus of Columbia College, we compare and contrast our experiences at Columbia. A lot has changed, but a lot hasn't too.  We find out how Columbia has shaped Steve and his career post-college and spill some tea about the Columbia-Barnard relationship. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod44

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Just because supplemental essays are short doesn’t mean they are easy. Join us in exploring essays answering why college, why major, extracurricular, speed dating, and your background prompts. See the show notes here: http://bit.ly/2KJHifE

Deferrals are an unfortunate part of the early application process. You worked so hard on that early application to just be shoved in with all of the regular decision applicants. Yes, we feel the pain as we can relate all too well. You can act two ways after being deferred: be discouraged or keep fighting. If you want to keep fighting, you've come to the right place. In this episode we'll discuss ways to give your deferred application the best chance possible in the regular decision round and also offer advice on how to approach the rest of your applications. It's almost over, just keep fighting a bit longer! Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod32 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid  

Extracurricular activities are the backbone of any college application, especially to top-tier schools. Freshmen need to start early. Upperclassmen need to develop their interests with awards and leadership positions. Seniors need to stay calm and not randomly resume pad. We discuss the activities we wish we had done and the ones we wish we had quit. Finally, Michael becomes an ameatur psycologist. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod14 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Your college isn't just a school; it's also a home. On this episode, I talk to high school senior Carolyn G. on how she's learning more about the soft-side of a school: its community, culture, and friendliness. We talk about what questions to ask, who to ask, and when to ask. Then, we finish up with some final tips on how to make the most out of a college visit. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod57

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Coronavirus is here and I'm sure everything is crazy. School is virtual, all your extracurriculars are cancelled, and you're stuck at home all the time! That being said, college admissions doesn't stop, so today Sean and I talk about how coronavirus affects your applications. In particular, we focus on how you can continue your extracurricular activities or start new ones.

Get Angela Duckworth's book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance, it has a great discussion of how colleges look at high school extracurriculars

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information.

Support us on Patreon

Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao

---

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Johns Hopkins releases essays from previous admitted students. These can be great sources of inspiration and advice. In this episode of the podcast, we read the first few released essays and discuss what we like about them. Michael pulls out his AP Language cards and does some English teacher worthy rhetorical analysis. Nhi and Dominic comment on how the topics seem to encapsulate a clear narrative. And we all wish we could write this well. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod28 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - http://bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - http://bit.ly/aupoddroid

This episode, Sean and Michael are joined by u/Scholargrade, a prominent college admissions counselor active in the r/chanceme and r/ApplyingToCollege subreddit.  In Part One of this session, we talk about 4 different student case studies, and talk about whether their college list suits them.  We thoroughly review their application qualities and clarify some of the myths that the general populace has when viewing college admissions to US universities.

Show Notes

An Introspection worksheet to brainstorm essay topics from u/ScholarGrade 

u/ScholarGrade's Better College Apps company, here

Google Docs of the Case Profiles

---

Follow us on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

 Essays. Done. Common App. Done. Bugging teachers for rec letters. Done. All done. Except for the interview. For many seniors, this is the last mile before decision day. To prepare, tune in to this week's episode. We talk about the most common interview questions and how to answer them. Nhi and Dominic tell some funny public transit stories and give you some advice on how to make your interview interesting with anecdotes. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod34

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

When you are writing your college essays, have you ever felt like a fraud? Like it wasn't really you? Michael has and on this episode, we have an impromptu therapy question. Do our college applications reflect the authentic us? Did we choose extracurricular activities because we were interested in them or because we wanted to get into a good college? 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod42

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

This week, I talk with Teland from the Major Jobs Podcast. As a fellow podcaster, we talk a little bit about how we both got started and why we do it. Then, we talk about what it's like to do podcasting as a student: Teland as a high school student and me as a college student. Finally, we discuss Teland's plans to leverage the podcast on his college admissions. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod61

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

The first step in the college admissions process is picking which colleges to apply to! In this episode, we talk about what a good, diversified list looks like. We define key terms: safety schools, target schools, and reach schools. We discuss how many schools to apply to and how to know if a school is right fit for you. There is a lot to think about. Do you want to go to a faith-based school? Do you want to go to a big school or a small school? There are so many factors to consider. Check out the show notes (admissionsuncovered.com) for helpful links to college search tools and other resources. Sign up for our college admissions boot camp (championshipadmissions.com) Support us on Patreon Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao Join the discussion on Reddit and read about what Michael considers the top 3 mistakes people make when constructing a list (https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/hkc4rj/summer_soft_deadline_college_list/) --- Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Instagram - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

It's AP season. While you're busy reading your Barron's study guide, get motivated (or not) by listening to this week's podcast about whether what you're doing actually matters. On this episode, we draw out the true value of AP tests. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod49

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

By now, most of you will have received multiple college acceptances. Congratulations! You are finally done! Now, you have a little under a month to pick between the college that accepted you. In this episode, we talk about how you can learn more about these schools, take advantage of admitted students weekend, and ultimately make a good decision.  

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod45

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

This short episode, Sean interviews high school teachers about approaching teachers for letters of rec and the writing process.  We also dispel some of the myths associated with letters of rec, and advise how underclassmen could build relationships with these teachers leading up to the letters of recommendation.

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information -

bit.ly/aupod66

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Teacher recommendation letters are your reward for being a brown noser for four years. Just kidding... Kinda... Joining us to talk about how to get good teacher recommendation letters and how to build strong relationships with instructors is a 20 year veteran of public schools. Don Gonzalez is a teacher and magnet coordinator at the Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet in Dallas, TX. He was a key piece of Michael's college applications, and now he joins the podcast to give his own advice. To hear more from Mr. Gonzalez, check out his podcast and blog at thejoecatholic.org. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod17 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Gonzalez has a busy day job as an administrator and Michael never has to apply to college again. Why are they still so interested in the process? So much so that they do this podcast and are holding a college application boot camp. In this episode, Michael and Gonzalez the important stories in their lives that keep them so invested in the admissions process. For Gonzalez, his story begins with his own admissions process, where lack of information about financial aid kept him from going to Harvard University. For Michael, college admissions is an important time to break out of a cycle of "gold star chasing" he sees in so many of his classmates at Columbia.

Get Angela Duckworth's book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance, it has a great discussion of how colleges look at high school extracurriculars

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information.

Support us on Patreon

Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao

---

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - @aupodfm

Facebook - @admissions.uncovered

Instagram - @admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Everyone knows that by November 1 and January 1, Common Applications need to be sent. What else? We share some other items that are often forgotten but are very important like a schedule, recommendation letters, test scores, transcripts, essays, scholarships, financial aid, and more. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod20 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

The college admissions process is very competitive and will only get more difficult. Join us as we discuss how to spike your application, one way of increasing your chances of getting in.

In the dreaded friend zone with a college? On this episode of the podcast, we talk about the college wait list, share some statistics, and give some strategies for how you can improve your chances. It's hard, but it's possible. Stick till the end and hear another crazy DART story!

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod47

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Newsflash: everyone is struggling right now, especially with colleges changing the goalposts on standardized testing. Nhi and Dominic fret about how they are doing with their essays and overall application. Through it all, you'll find out where you need to be at this point in the summer. Check out the show notes here: http://bit.ly/2metnjv

A Columbia University undergrad and his old teacher talk about college admissions: how students can craft the best college application, how teachers and administrators can help them, and how colleges can improve the system. Check out our website Support us on Patreon Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao --- Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Instagram - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Going into senior year without an idea of how to get ahead of the game over the summer? Well you’re in luck because your favorite podcast hosts at the Admissions Uncovered Podcast have you covered. We discuss everything from internships to testing to essays. Make sure to take this vital step in the college admissions process to use your last summer in high school to the max. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod40

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered 

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid 

 Starting the college application process? Building your college list is one of the first and most important steps in the college application marathon. Join us in this episode to learn the correct approach to building a well balanced college list. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod38 

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm 

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered 

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple 

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid 

Senior year is going to be your hardest year of high school, but it can also be the best year. In this episode, we discuss how to schedule your senior year around college applications, scholarships, school, extracurriculars, and the inevitable senioritis. Stick around till the end and hear about how Dominic became the most infamous person at school. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod18 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Johns Hopkins releases essays from previous admitted students. These can be great sources of inspiration and advice. In this episode of the podcast, we read the first few released essays and discuss what we like about them. Michael pulls out his AP Language cards and does some English teacher worthy rhetorical analysis. Nhi and Dominic comment on how the topics seem to encapsulate a clear narrative. And we all wish we could write this well. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod29 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

We aren't just limited to schools in the United States. There are great schools internationally. We discuss the application processes for UK and Canadian schools as well as joint programs between American and international schools like Yale-NUS and NYU's programs. Finally, we reflect on whether applying internationally is actually worth it. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod15 Jump ahead - UK Schools - 2:06 Canadian Schools - 15:48 Joint Programs - 21:08 Reflection - 28:53 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Choosing your major may seem like the most daunting decision you need to make. It seems to ask you to determine your entire life with one checkbox. In reality, it's not that complicated at all. Just choose what you are interested in. In most cases, the major you choose doesn't close off opportunities, just opens up more specific ones. Tune in for our advice. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod22 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

The Common App has many sections - demographic information, test scores, educational history, academic honors, extracurricular activities, the additional information section, the Common App essay, recommendation letters, supplemental essays, and a little bit of common confusion among stressed-out seniors. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod13 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Together, we look back on the college admissions process and think about what we learned about ourselves. We also talk about some problems in the system like inequality, unfair financial aid for international students, and just not enough seats. Finally, we look back on the past year and the last 50 episodes. Some big news on this podcast, so tune in!

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod51

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Join us in exploring the various bits and pieces of the Common App: the profile, the honors, the extracurricular, and much more.

Chances are that sometime during the college application process, you've found yourself slacking off or procrastinating. In this week’s episode we’ll talk about how to stay productive during the college app process. We’ll give some tips and specific systems that Michael, Nhi, and Dominic have found helpful like hyper-scheduling your calendar, having soft deadlines, and using to do lists. And, of course, an episode on productivity wouldn't be complete without Michael hating on bullet journals. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod27 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

The November early application deadline is coming up quickly: learn about the differences between early action, early decision, early decision 2, and regular decision, whether applying early is advantageous, how you should pick between all your options, and what you should do if you are deferred. Check out the show notes on our website: http://bit.ly/earlydecisionpodcast

What do avocados and fortunetellers have in common? They were all college essays that our guest Yu-Chia Cheng wrote! Yu-Chia is an incoming freshman at the University of Pennsylvania in its LSM program. She'll be studying both finance and biology. Yu-Chia shares her college admissions journey starting with what she did in the summers, how she wrote her essays, and how she feels attending one of the best programs in the country!

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod52

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

The Common App has many sections - demographic information, test scores, educational history, academic honors, extracurricular activities, the additional information section, the Common App essay, recommendation letters, supplemental essays, and a little bit of common confusion among stressed-out seniors. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod26 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

 Join us for an interview with a newly admitted member, Vinh Huy, of the Stanford Class of 2023. He'll give us some insight into his successful application and offer some advice on how to make your application the best it can be.

Also, Dominic is the easiest podcast host of our three to schedule recordings with, despite what Michael expresses during this episode.

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod50

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered 

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid 

Early Decisions are out. If you got in, congrats! You are finally done! If you didn't, I know it sucks, but it's not over. There are so many other amazing schools out there, and I know you'll get into one that you love. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod30 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

We talk with Kevin Bai about how he helped lead the movement to end class rank in Plano ISD, how class rank hurts students, and why colleges don't really care about it. Check out our show notes at: https://wp.me/p9XkHM-2n

This episode, Sean and Michael are joined by u/Scholargrade, a prominent college admissions counselor active in the r/chanceme and r/ApplyingToCollege subreddit. In Part Two of this session, we talk about 2 more case studies, and talk about whether their college list suits them. We thoroughly review their application qualities and clarify some of the myths that the general populace has when viewing college admissions to US universities.

Show Notes

An Introspection worksheet to brainstorm essay topics from u/ScholarGrade

u/ScholarGrade's Better College Apps company, here

Google Docs of the Case Profiles

---

Follow us on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Does it feel like you're done with college applications? We hope it does because you've earned a break! Here at Admissions Uncovered, we definitely have some plans for all this extra time. Dominic has a few side hustles to run. Nhi has some piano practice to catch up on. And we all have some great TV recommendations. When Michael was senior, he let grades slip a little, missed some school to travel, and started this podcast. Tune in for some fun stories, celebration, and advice your teachers don't want you to hear.  Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod35 Follow us on social media -  Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered  Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast -  iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: We are partnering with Anchor.fm to launch a new way for you to help support the podcast. Just go to anchor.fm/admissionsuncovered and click the Listener Support button. It's that easy. School is starting soon. If you are about to be a junior, don't let senioritis strike early. We have tips about how to use your junior year as a launchpad into your dream school from tips. We talk about staying productive and on track, the incoming storm of standardized testing, focusing on a few key extracurricular activities, and networking with key college admissions players to set yourself apart from the crowd. See the show notes at admissionsuncovered.com/240.

The distinction between liberal arts colleges and research universities is an artifact of a faraway time. Today, the differences between the two are far fewer, mainly centering around the size of school and the emphasis on undergraduate education. We also discuss a few pieces of breaking college news - Rice making tuition free for more students, Stanford stopping its release of admissions rate, and Harvard's record-breaking fundraising effort. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod19 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

We know summer just started, but it's time to start thinking about the fall and college applications. We talk about what rising seniors need to be doing this summer to get ready from testing to essays and so much more.

Start your college application by building a narrative of your high school experience. In this episode, Michael guides Dominic, Nhi, and you through a simple 3 step process: listing activities, figuring out what's important, and making connections between what's important in your life. At each step, we share how we came to our narratives. Finally, we talk about how to use the narrative to simplify the college application process.

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod37

Follow us on social media -
Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm
Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered
Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered 

Subscribe to the podcast -
iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple
Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

The SAT doesn't just test your ability to read, write, or do math. It's also about your ability to take tests. In this episode, we give you our top test taking strategies to keep you from making silly mistakes and to help you get the right answer, even when you aren't totally sure.

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod39

Follow us on social media -
Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm
Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered
Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered 

Subscribe to the podcast -
iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple
Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

 

Early Decision decisions can bring a lot of joy, a lot of despair, or a lot of indecision. If you received a deferral, that can often mean the latter. In this episode, Michael and Sean talk about what a deferral means and some common myths. Then, we talk about the options a deferred applicant has to get into the school during Regular Decision. 

See more on our website - https://admissionsuncovered.com/?p=2256&preview=true

The University of Chicago has some of the weirdest and wackiest supplemental essay prompts of any university we've seen. In this episode, we analyze each one and give some of the first ideas that come to our mind. We talk through the general processes that you should use to generate ideas, from simplifying the prompt, thinking about your narrative, to having no filter. At the end, Michael shares his UChicago essay that he thought was amazing but that some admissions officer clearly didn't. Check out the show notes - bit.ly/aupod21

Today I'm joined by Alexandra Lin, an incoming freshman at Bowdoin College. She grew up in rural Montana. On today's episode, we talk about what it was like to grow up and go to school in a rural area and the importance of geographic diversity in college admissions. Then, we talk about prestige and how it might not be as important as everyone makes it out to be. Stay tuned till the end for some tea about frats at Columbia and a little food fight....

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod53

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

We are re-launching the podcast with a new co-host: Don Gonzalez. You've heard from Gonzalez on a previous episode on teacher recommendation letters previous episode. Now, he'll be bringing his perspective as a veteran teacher and administrator to the podcast. This way, we hope to talk about the college application process with a broader perspective. In the episode, we talk about what we hope to talk about in future episodes: how the college admissions process is unfair, how public high schools often fail students, and how to fix it.

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information -  https://admissionsuncovered.com/2961

---

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

 America isn't the only place with great colleges. The United Kingdom has so many wells know schools like Oxford and Cambridge, but it's also a completely different country, culture, and education system. On this episode, Imperial College student Ethan Summers walks us through the UK college admissions process and how college admissions in the UK are much more focused on academics and scores. We talk about some of the key differences between the UK and US education systems. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod55

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - @aupodfm

Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

The first step in the college application is process is picking which college you want to apply to. Applicants should pick schools in three ranges - safety, target, and reach schools. The number of schools they apply to will differ based on the applicant and their level of confidence. Finally, Michael shares his list and advises Dominic and Nhi on their lists. Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod16 Follow us on social media - Twitter - @aupodfm Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast - iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

We talk about best practices for writing college essays, brainstorm ideas for the CommonApp and ApplyTexas prompts, and explain how you can get feedback on your essays. Check out the show notes for what we discussed and other useful links: https://wp.me/p9XkHM-1O

It's November First and you've either already submitted your application or about to submit it. After months of stressing, you finally have finished the first round of applications. Now what? On this episode, we give some reminders for more forgettable pieces of the application and what you should be doing after the deadline. Check out the show notes at http://bit.ly/aupod24.

Extracurricular activities are essential to any compelling college application. In this episode, we talk about 3 different types of students: students who don't have any extracurriculars, students who have too many extracurriculars, and students that got into college on the strengths of their extracurriculars. Then, we talk a little about how schools, administrators, and teachers can do a better job of counseling students.

Get Angela Duckworth's book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information. 

Support us on Patreon

Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao

---

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

I know the stress must be building right now, but know that you are not alone. On this episode, I interview Swathi, a rising high school senior. We talk about how Swathi is trying to juggle all her extracurricular activities, academic commitments, and college applications. Swathi and I give some tips about productivity and scheduling. Then, we transition to talk about the Harvard lawsuit and some of the fairly damning information that's been released about how Harvard treats Asian applicants. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod54

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

 One of the most common supplemental essay prompts colleges ask is the Why College prompt? These are often the most difficult essays to write because you want to be original, but not too original. In this episode, we talk about the importance of this essay, researching reasons to go to a school, structuring this essay in an anecdotal format, released essays from Tufts, and, finally, the worst mistake students make: talking only about the school and not about themselves as well. Michael tries to explain with a dating analogy; let’s see how that goes. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod31

Follow us on social media -
Twitter - @aupodfm
Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -
iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple
Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid  

Who knew that Monster's University was just like real college? Or is it? This week's episode is a little special. Michael and a friend from college - Mahad - review the movie Monster's University. We talk about Monster's University and how it's similar to our college experience, legacy students, and, of course, a bit of Marx. Just some fun as you make those final decisions. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod46

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

This week, we discussed a bit about the early college essay writing process with Sean.  As someone going through the process, Sean talks about the struggles and methods of coming up with ideas.  Then, we talk about school-specific essays and how to approach them.  Throughout the episode, we talk about common mistakes and cliche essays that many applicants use.

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod62

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Today's episode is a special Q and A with students from the Law Magnet - Michael's old high school and where Gonzalez works as an administrator. We take questions from the high school seniors ranging from extracurriculars, to coronavirus, to essays, to how to pay for college. Tune in for some great questions that if you're a high school student, you probably are thinking about as well!

Get Angela Duckworth's book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance, it has a great discussion of how colleges look at high school extracurriculars

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information.

Support us on Patreon

Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao

---

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - @aupodfm

Facebook - @admissions.uncovered

Instagram - @admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Test prep tutoring is very expensive and a lot of people don't have those resources. This week, I'm joined by Kathryn Zheng, the founder of Sparky Prep. Sparky Prep is an online peer tutoring program where high school students tutor other high school students on the SAT, ACT, APs, and other academic subjects. I talk about why Kathryn started the organization, how it works, and what she thinks about the value of standardized tests. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod60

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

College admissions is a great time to reflect on your future. That means that not everyone is suited for a traditional, 4 year education. On this episode, I'm joined by incoming Stanford freshman Ashley Chen to talk about alternatives to a traditional education from 2 year community colleges to service academies to colleges with just plain wacky admissions processes and educations (anyone up for cow manure and manual labor?). 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://admissionsuncovered.com

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

 Thinking of summer already? Considering an internship, but don't know where to start? Well your favorite podcast hosts have put together the ultimate guide to answer all your internship related questions. Still have questions about internships? Feel free to reach out to us on social media or in the comment section below the post.

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod36 

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm 

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered 

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple 

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid
 

 It's been a long road leading up to this point. In this episode, Dominic and Nhi take a moment to reflect on the college admissions process to give advice on what they would do differently and reveal less discusses components of the college admissions process. If you can relate to any of the points mentioned in the episode, be sure to let us know!  Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod33

Follow us on social media -
Twitter - @aupodfm
Instagram/Facebook - @admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -
iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple
Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid 

Are you interested in what life is like for a homeschool student? Wondering what it would be like for your parent to be your teacher or your sibling to be your classmate? Join us for this week's episode of the Admissions Uncovered podcast featuring our special guest, William. William has been homeschooled for the majority of his academic career. He'll provide us some insight on what the homeschool life is like and how it makes the college application process a little different. If you have any questions for William, please post them as a comment on the post on the website or send us a DM on instagram @admissions.uncovered and we'll make sure to send it his way! 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod48

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Michael interviews AdmissionsMom, queen of the Reddit r/applyingtocollege community, capping off a summer of interviews with the community. In this episode, AdmissionsMom and Michael talk about mindful college admissions and how it can help craft a reflective college application and make the process less stressful. Then, we talk about her new book about moderating the subreddit and her new app that helps students be mindful about their college tours.

More AdmissionsMom here

AdmissionsMom's Book "Hey AdmissionsMom: Real Talk from Reddit"

CollegeVizzy - a new approach to college visits

---

Follow us on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

You thought you were free after pressing submit. Then, you get an email about an interview. What? Don't worry. In this episode, Michael and our guest host Sid talk about their experiences with the interview. Sid just had several interviews with schools like Swarthmore and Oxford. We give some sample questions, do's and don'ts, and some preparation tips. Check out the show notes: http://www.bit.ly/aupod25

In this episode of the Admissions Uncovered Podcast, your favorite hosts take a stab at explaining the new admissions scandal. With 50 people charged, hundreds of thousands of dollars being exchanged, and more unfairness exposed in the college application process, there’s a lot to cover, so sit back and enjoy the show. As always, you can join in on the discussion in the comment section on the post through the link below. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - bit.ly/aupod41

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered 

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid 

There is more to standardized testing than just the SAT and ACT. Join us to learn how to best take advantage of SAT subject tests and AP tests. We have had great success with them and now it's your turn.

On Reddit, former admissions officers WilliamTheReader made some harsh accusations against his former bosses. On this episode, I talk with my friend Sean Cai about these accusations and how we as students should react. Among the topics discussed are how school treat private school applicants, low income students, and Asian American students.  Check out the full post for more context -  https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/9f8zl3/ama_top_5_usnews_university_alum_worked_in_alma/  Follow us on social media -  Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered  Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered Subscribe to the podcast -  iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Ivy Day is here. Listen to an emotional roller coaster of an episode about how Nhi and Dominic are feeling and how they plan to open their decisions. Plus, Michael throws in some grandfatherly advice.

College admissions doesn't define who you are. We are here for you. If you ever need to talk or want to tell us how your college admissions decisions went, just email us at admissions.uncovered@gmail.com or DM us on social media.

And if Ivy Day didn't go away, please give it time and ask for help. Please promise me that you'll ask for help before doing anything that puts yourself in danger. Here are some resources:

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) 

Hope Network: 1-800-SUICIDE  

Text Line: Text "START" to 741-741

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod43

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Standardized tests are stressful for many students. Join us as we break down the differences between the SAT and ACT, how to study for each test, and strategies to maximize your score. Check out our show notes at www.admissionsuncovered.com/?p=200&preview=true. Please submit your questions and comments on our Contact Us form.

Your resume will be the first thing employers, colleges, and interviewers see about you. Learn how to format and write a resume with strong and impactful descriptions. Listen till the end for an update in Dominic's college list drama. Check out the show notes - bit.ly/aupod23

Join us to learn about picking between schools to apply to, touring schools, and "target" schools with some intermittent dissing on Harvard's campus.