College Admissions Decoded

Parents are undoubtedly an instrumental part of the college admissions process for incoming students—but how much influence should parents actually have in this process? In this enlightening conversation, we talk to experts about what role parents have in the “marathon” that is the college admissions process, and the lessons the whole family can learn during these stressful, but rewarding times. 

Guests: Emily Roper-Doten, Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Assistance at Clark University in Massachusetts, and Rodney Morrison, Vice President of Enrollment Management at the University of Delaware.

Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, a college counselor and dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California.

As more colleges become test-optional, admissions officers are tasked with defining the value of ACT/SAT tests—what they convey about students, and their level of importance on the admission process. As standardized testing policies shift with each incoming class of students, our guests today look at in which ways removing the exams promotes access and equity to the college admission process, whether students should test when it’s optional, and the long-term impacts of test-optional policies on college admission. 

Guests: David Hawkins, Chief Education and Policy Officer at NACAC; Twink Williams Burns, Strategic Advisor for Admission and Financial Aid Community Engagement at Williams College; Akil Bello, Senior Director of Advocacy and Advancement at Fair Test. 
Moderated by Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College.

In this episode, host Eddie Pickett and his guests explore the role of over 500 HSIs in the United States in serving millions students from both the admission angle and via student support programs. We dive into why a Hispanic-identifying student might choose these institutions for their higher education and discuss how HSIs are a refuge and support system for the growing demographic of Hispanic students in the U.S. 

Guests: Belinda Sandoval Zazueta, Associate Vice President of Admissions at University of Redlands in California; Argenis Rodriguez, director of a support program for students. Moderated by Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College.

In today’s episode, we talk about meeting veteran students where they are and how to best support them on their college journey. Veterans come from a range of backgrounds. These students bring a lot to a college campus—as well as their own unique challenges in the application process. We will discuss  the crucial elements in finding these applicants, how to create a healthy veteran community at college, and how to ensure their success in higher education. 

Guests: Veronica Peña, Director of the Houston Admissions Center at University of Texas at Austin and Ian Todd, a veteran who went through the application process and studied at Rhodes College. Moderated by Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College.

Bridging Gaps in Context and Personal Writing in the College Application Process

As a prospective college student, how can you craft your college application to shine in the pool of thousands of applicants? One of the biggest hurdles in the application process is showcasing your skills, personality and goals—all in under 1,000 words. Finding your authentic voice to appeal to the admissions team can be especially difficult without knowing who your audience is, or what generation they’re coming from!  In today’s episode, school-based counselors help close the generational gaps between students and admissions counselors, helping students find the tools to help write the “perfect essay,” and the importance in getting feedback from a mentor, tutor, supporter or advocate.  

Guests: Cuca Acosta, Associate Director of Admissions at UC Santa Barbara and Lara Sandora, Lead Counselor for 11th and 12th Grades & College Counselor at TIDE Academy. 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we speak with a leader who is the true definition of longevity and commitment, Mary Lou Bates, Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Skidmore College. She speaks to us about the challenge of raising a family while maintaining a thriving career, and how her passion for her work in admissions has allowed her to craft creative solutions during 49 years at Skidmore.

Guest: Mary Lou Bates, Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Skidmore College

In recognition of Women’s History Month, today’s special episode focuses on empowering women to achieve their professional goals. We speak with one of the leaders in advancing equity in higher education, Youlonda Copeland Morgan, Former Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at UCLA. She talks with us about the misconceptions of creating balance in your work life, but rather, bringing your family into your work. As she reaches retirement, she attributes finding meaning in your work as a key to a long, successful career.

Guests: Youlonda Copeland Morgan, Former Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at UCLA

College applications are meticulously designed to understand who a student is academically and interpersonally. In recent years, applications have included new prompts for students to talk about people they’re grateful for and instances that have positively impacted their lives.  For college admission offices, the responsibility of building community on campus relies heavily on these responses. In this conversation, we talk with two college admissions experts about the research, science, and multifaceted results of adding a gratitude question to their college applications. 

Guests: Whitney Soule, Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions at University of Pennsylvania, and Scott Anderson, Senior Director of Association Engagement at Common App. Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, a senior associate dean of admissions and the director of recruitment at Pomona College in Claremont, California.

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.

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.