Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Host Sally Ganga opens this episode with Ben Baum, Vice President of Enrollment at St. John's College, and Maggie McGuinness for an in‑depth look at what makes St. John's a truly distinctive institution. With two campuses and a reputation for "great books and great conversations," St. John's centers its entire academic experience on small classes and shared inquiry. Rather than offering traditional majors or interdisciplinary programs, the college rejects the idea of academic disciplines altogether—every student reads the same texts and wrestles with timeless questions like "How do I live a good life?" Ben and Maggie discuss why this approach can be powerful for students, the skills it develops, and the outcomes graduates experience.
In the second segment, Sally is joined by finance expert Zachery Gries to address a common concern for families: what to do if you don't have enough money saved to cover all four years of college. Zachery walks through different ways families pay for college, the need to reassess resources as a student progresses (since costs and need‑based aid can change), and the tradeoffs between maintaining flexibility and making choices that could reduce overall costs.

Host Kyra Tyler kicks off this episode with College Coach Joy Biscornet for a practical guide to college visits. Joy shares how to plan visits effectively, what to do once you're on campus, and which questions are worth asking, as well as which ones aren't. Most importantly, she explains how visits can help students decide whether a school truly feels like a good fit by seeing if they can picture themselves there.
 
In segment two, Kyra is joined by College Coach Scott Alexander to tackle a common spring concern: being waitlisted. Scott breaks down what actually happens after a waitlist decision, what students can do beyond simply waiting, and how to weigh options between a school you've already committed to and one that might admit you later. He also explains why trying to decode why you were waitlisted is rarely productive and how colleges use waitlists strategically.
 
The episode wraps up with finance expert Laurie Peltier, who walks families through everything they need to know about May 1st. Laurie covers the true costs of committing (from deposits and meal plans to immunizations) and explains how to officially accept financial aid offers and notify outside scholarship organizations where funds should be sent. And more!

Host Ian Fisher hosts several staff members from Oglethorpe University during a deep dive exploration of the school. In the first segment, Ginger Fay, Vice President of Enrollment, and Dr. Gabriel Barreneche, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs explore what makes Oglethorpe unique as a small university rather than a college and how the university's Core Experience shapes students' academic and personal paths. They also discuss Oglethorpe's long‑standing common reading list, which connects students across generations, and share what has surprised them most as relatively new members of the campus community.
 
In segment two, Ginger Fay is joined by Chris Summers, Director of Financial Aid (and an Oglethorpe alum) for a conversation about athletics and affordability. They unpack the role athletics plays on campus (including the surprising fact that student‑athletes make up about a third of the student body), along with an overview of merit and financial aid, including two major programs tied to institutional support.
 
To close the episode, Ginger Fay continues the conversation with Dr. Meredith Raimondo, Vice President of Student Affairs, to focus on student life at Oglethorpe. Together, they discuss the characteristics they see in students who thrive there and how the campus environment supports engagement, growth, and success.

Host Shannon Vasconcelos opens this episode with College Coach Blair Dixon and finance expert Chrissy Foran for a deep dive into Early Decision. They explore how to determine whether applying ED makes sense for you or your student from both an admissions and financial perspective. It can sometimes be the bump a student needs to be admitted, but committing to one college so early requires sacrificing a lot of the exploration process as well as a complete understanding of how you'll pay for it.
 
In the second segment, Shannon is joined by College Coach Shayla Bezjak‑Martinez to talk about teacher recommendations. Shayla offers guidance on how to choose teachers who will best support your application, why recommendations from core curriculum classes are recommended, the importance of knowing if schools specify which subjects they want represented, and more.

Host Kyra Tyler kicks off this episode with College Coach Brian Swann, who introduces listeners to the Classical Learning Test (CLT). Brian explains what the CLT covers, who it's designed for, how it assesses students—and why its flexible format (including the option to take it at home) makes it an appealing alternative for some families.
In our second segment, Kyra welcomes College Coach Michael Yager for Transfer Admissions 101. Michael walks through how to decide whether transferring is the right move, from realizing your current school doesn't offer the major you want to navigating family changes that make being closer to home a priority. He also cautions against chasing a "better" option without fully understanding what you might be giving up.
Finally, finance expert Dina Birmingham joins the show to break down the cost considerations of transferring colleges. Dina explains how financial aid forms are reviewed differently by each institution, what to know about merit awards for transfer students, and the limitations that sometimes come with them.