At least 10% of students on college campuses have a learning difference. In this conversation, two college admissions professionals share what students should look for when researching a college to determine whether and how the institution will facilitate their success in higher education. They share the many support systems they can look for when they start college.Guests: Marybeth Kravets, Past President of NACAC and Director of College Counseling at Wolcott College Prep in Chicago, Illinois; Kasey Urquidez, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Arizona. Moderated by Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College.

A Guide for Students with Learning Differences to Applying, Choosing, and Thriving in College

Race-Conscious Admission has been a component of the college admission process for over half a century and has endured legal battles for decades. With three new justices appointed since 2016, the national debate has resurfaced. NACAC Board Member, Eddie Pickett, talks to Managing Partner and co-founder of EducationCounsel LLC Art Coleman about the two latest cases against Harvard University and The University of North Carolina and the history behind race and admission.Guest: Art Coleman, Managing Partner and co-founder of EducationCounsel LLC. Host: Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College.

Race-Conscious Admission and the Potential Implications of the Upcoming Supreme Court Ruling

A lot of factors contribute to your success in college, from the academic rigor of your classes to the campus environment. The educational excellence and rich history and culture of HBCUs make them important options for many students across the U.S. In this conversation, two college admissions professionals share how their experiences at HBCUs set the stage for success in their own lives and the extraordinary return on investment for any student who attends.Guests:  Tahirah Crawford, Director of College Placement at People's Preparatory Charter in New Jersey; Joseph Montgomery, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Tuskegee University. Moderated by Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College.

Pride and Passion: The Enduring Legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

How does the ticket price on higher education impact access, and what should families be paying? Two economists tackle these questions with the CEO of NACAC Angel Pérez. Together, they explore what financing constructs can increase equity, and what advice they have for those making difficult decisions about what they can afford.Guests: Sandy Baum, non-resident Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute, Phillip Levine, Katharine Coman and A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics at Wellesley College. Moderated by NACAC CEO Angel Pérez.

Fit, Finance, and Equity: Two Economists Discuss College Affordability

Getting into college is one thing; what about completing your degree, and making the most out of the experience? In this conversation, college counselors and administrators talk about the importance of having the right mindset on the first day you set foot on campus. The best advice: know who you are, how you find success, and be honest with yourself about it. Live that reality by tackling fears and seizing opportunities from day one.Guests:  Ralph Figueroa, the Dean of College Guidance at Albuquerque Academy; Dean Jacoby, Director of College Guidance at Albuquerque Academy; Aaron Stoller, Associate Vice President for Student Success at Colorado College. Moderated by Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions at Pomona College.

Setting Your College-bound Student Up for Success on Day One

There are many ways to take advantage of all the opportunities community college provides. It serves some students as a stepping stone to four-year schools, a chance to obtain a practical skill that leads to a job, or a flexible option for students with families or work commitments. We debunk the outdated stereotype and stigma of community college, and look ahead at the bright future of this pathway to higher education.Guests: Candice Mackey, college counselor at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies in California, Jen Nuechterlein, college & career counselor at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in New Jersey, and Claudia Leotaud, counselor at Santa Monica College in California. Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, senior associate dean of admissions and director of recruitment at Pomona College in Claremont, California.

The Myriad Possibilities of Community College

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. NACAC's 2021 Rising Star Award Winners Jonathan Gowin, director of the Regional Student Program at the New England Board of Higher Education, and Noor Haddad, associate director of college counseling at The Bishop's School. Moderated by NACAC CEO Angel Pérez.

Special Edition: Next Gen Admission Professionals Seek Balance, Values, and Self-Actualization at Work

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.

How to Approach the Final Decision on a College

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. Guests: Jade Domingue, associate director of admission at Agnes Scott College, Victor Thomas, associate director of undergraduate admissions at Washington University, Dean Jacoby, a college guidance counselor at the Albuquerque Academy and a board member of the Gap Year Research Consortium at Colorado College. Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, a college counselor and dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California.

Why Take, or Not Take, a Gap Year

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?  Guests: Jennifer “JT” Thomas, who coached at the Division-I collegiate level, Bill Morrison, a college counselor and coach at Highland Park High School in Illinois, and Scott Verzyl, vice president for enrollment management and dean of undergraduate admissions at the University of South Carolina. Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, a college counselor and dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California.

How College Admissions Are Different for Student Athletes

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.   Guests: Tom Campbell, college counselor at the Lakeside School in Washington State, and Yvonne Espinoza, founder at Yvonne Espinoza College Counseling Services, Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, a college counselor and dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California.

How to Make the Most of College Visits

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.    Guests: Courtney Vaughn, associate director of college counseling at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Georgia and Lenell Hahn, director of admissions at Southeast Missouri State University. Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, a college counselor and dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California.

What Non-academic Factors Actually Influence College Admissions

Creating a college list is both art and science. Our guests recommend first answering some important questions, like: What are my goals? What am I passionate about? Who do I want to be? Then they recommend giving yourself lots of options in terms of size, distance, location, even ‘vibes.’ Guests: DeEnna Wisdom Holohan, founder of Collective Wisdom College Counseling, and Leilani Arita Takayama, associate director of college counseling at the 'Iolani School in Honolulu, Hawaii. Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, a college counselor and dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California.

The Keys to Building a Good College List

When we ask students what part of the application process makes them the most nervous, frequently the answer is the essay. It can make students feel vulnerable and exposed. They wonder how much to reveal about themselves, and what story would be the most effective.  Often, they just want to know what colleges are looking for.Guests: Gabrielle Dorsey, Executive Director, Bridges Educational Consulting in California, and Kelly Herrington, Director of College Counseling, University Preparatory Academy in Washington State. Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, a college counselor and dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California.

Strategies for Acing the College Essay

Traditionally, campus visits have played a critical role in helping students figure out which school is right for them. But with coronavirus restrictions keeping many campuses (and families!) on lockdown, how can students get a feel for what life—and learning—looks like at their targeted institutions? Experienced school counselors offer tips for determining the right “fit” from afar.

Getting to Know the Campus When the Coronavirus Lockdown Won't Let You Visit

Four higher education experts share tips and advice for making the right college choice. With Nicole Hurd, founder and CEO of College Advising Corps; Jeff Selingo, education reporter and bestselling author of Who Gets In and Why; Tevera Stith, Vice President for KIPP Through College & Career at KIPP DC; and Angel B. Pérez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

The Many Admission Choices in a Changed World

In these final weeks of the college admission season, many high school seniors and their families still have important decisions to make. Some are weighing offers of admission from multiple colleges and universities, comparing and contrasting those institutions’ respective communities and course offerings; others are crunching the numbers, taking the measure of potential tuition bills and financial aid packages. Still others may be in limbo on waiting lists or considering a gap year. But for all those uncertainties in the admission process, many students are now in a position of empowerment, and very much in the driver’s seat as they decide where they will go to college next year.

Student Empowerment in College Admissions

Colleges across the country made big changes in their admission requirements in response to the coronavirus pandemic. More than 1,600 institutions are currently test-optional, meaning students are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications. Transcripts look different, too, especially at schools that have canceled extracurricular activities and moved courses online. How are colleges evaluating applicants? What can students do to strengthen their admission chances?  Two admission directors take you inside the process.

How Colleges Make Admission Decisions in a Pandemic Year

The coronavirus pandemic has put severe financial strains on US colleges, and on students and their parents as well. As a result, more families need financial aid. Experts talk about applying for assistance, how to read an award letter, how to ask for more if it’s not enough, and other options for students on path to college.

College Financial Aid in the Time of Covid-19

Multiple studies have shown that the coronavirus crisis has made us more depressed, anxious, and stressed. Students are not immune from these effects, particularly when they are juggling other stressors, including the college admission process. Remote learning, physical distancing, and the cancellation of extracurricular activities and other milestone events have only ratcheted up feelings of isolation and anxiety for many students – and all this is happening as they’re engaged in the college search process, which can be overwhelming in the best of times. Hear real-life advice from veteran college counselors for easing students’ mental health concerns. 

College Admissions Decoded

College Admissions Decoded

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