College Admissions Insider

By Bucknell UniversityEducation Parenting Kids & Family How To

College Admissions Insider episodes

October 21Episode 103: Undergraduate Research Scholarships
Seeking a scholarship is among the best ways to secure financial support for college. But that's not all scholarships are good for.

In this episode, we're exploring the world of academic scholarship programs. You'll hear:
What opportunities that these scholarships afford
How they take shape at Bucknell
The kinds of students these programs can benefit most
Guests: Carrine Phillips, associate director of admissions; Elizabeth Durden, professor of sociology.

Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
Discover Bucknell scholarships
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
https://bucknell.edu/planavisit
When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home. This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.
31 min
September 09Episode 102: Building the Freshman Class
A Disney-Pixar voice actor, a gold medalist in the British Biology Olympiad, and an internationally ranked pinball player. Those are just a few experiences that make up Bucknell University's first-year students.

Today, we're diving into how admissions teams bring unique individuals together into one well-rounded college class. You'll hear:
How admissions goals for the class take shape
What personal details stand out in applications
The impact your classmates have on your whole college experience
Guest: Kevin Mathes '07, vice president of enrollment management & dean of admissions
Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
23 min
August 20Episode 101: Learning Differences
College isn't a one-size-fits-all experience. On many campuses, there's an entire office dedicated to providing accessibility resources for a variety of needs, including learning differences.
In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we're exploring:
What learning differences are
the kinds of accommodations that might be available
Other ways students can work on skill-building and development
Guest: Jessie Jones, accessibility coordinator at Bucknell University
Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
Learn about Bucknell's accessibility resources
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
14 min
February 16Episode 100: The Future of Higher Education
Since 2020, we've pulled back the curtain on all things admissions, sharing expert advice for your college journey.
Today, we're celebrating our 100th episode of College Admissions Insider by tackling our biggest topic yet: the state and future of higher education.
What better guest to invite than someone who's dedicated their career to championing lifelong learning? That person is John Bravman, who currently serves as the 17th president of Bucknell University.
Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
https://bucknell.edu/planavisit
When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home. This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.
25 min
February 10Episode 99: College Planning Timeline: 12th Grade
Senior year is finally here, and with it comes all of the excitement and nervousness about what comes next.
For students with their eyes set on college, now is the time to get to work on submitting your very best applications to your dream schools.
In this last episode in our College Planning Timeline series, Becca and Brooke cover tips, tricks and application insights for high school seniors.
Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
Get our official College Planning Timeline
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
9 min
January 20Episode 98: College Planning Timeline: 11th Grade
When it comes to the college search process, it can feel like all eyes are on junior year.
From the classes you take and the grades you earn, to the steps you take to explore colleges and universities, your junior year in high school might be the most essential.
In this episode of our college planning timeline series, we're offering advice for making the most of it.
Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
Get our official College Planning Timeline
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
8 min
January 07Episode 97: College Planning Timeline: 10th Grade
After nearly 100 episodes, we've learned that it's never too early to start planning for college.
In our College Planning Timeline series, Becca and Brooke are offering a step-by-step action plan to take you from 9th through 12th grade and beyond.
Today, we'll cover tips and best practices for students who are sophomores in high school.
Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
Get our official College Planning Timeline
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
8 min
December 17, 2025Episode 96: College Planning Timeline: 9th Grade
Applying to college may seem like one big step toward your future, but you'll be more successful — and less stressed — if you instead see that journey as dozens of smaller steps.
In the next four episodes of College Admissions Insider, Becca and Brooke will be walking you through our college planning timeline, offering a step by step action plan to take you from 9th grade through 12th grade and beyond.
Today we’ll cover tips and best practices for students who are in their first year in high school.
Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
Get our official College Planning Timeline
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
8 min
December 01, 2025Episode 95: Artificial Intelligence in College Admissions
If there's one thing that's always constant, it's change. Nowhere is that more true than in the field of technology. Like many industries, higher education is transforming in the midst of the newest tech revolution: Artificial intelligence.
In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we'll explore some of the ways colleges are implementing AI assistance, how that impacts the experience for students and families, and what it means for the future of higher ed.
Our guest is Emily Smith, Principal Vice President of Partner Success at CollegeVine — a company that helps colleges and universities optimize their operations with AI.
Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
How to use AI in your college search
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
https://bucknell.edu/planavisit
When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home. This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.
31 min
October 20, 2025Episode 94: Demonstrated Interest
Submitting your application is the ultimate way you'll tell a college you want in. But that's just the end of the story. In the years before you apply, many admissions offices will be on the lookout for something called demonstrated interest.
In this episode, we talk about why demonstrated interest has become increasingly important in recent years, what counts as meaningful engagement, and what students should and shouldn't do as they try to stand out.
Our guest is Kevin Mathes '07, vice president of enrollment management and dean of admissions at Bucknell University.
Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:
Find your Bucknell admissions counselor
Info about applying to Bucknell
Application dates and deadlines
Plan a visit to Bucknell
@iamraybucknell, our student-run Instagram
Build a Bucknell Custom Viewbook
Latest news for prospective students
Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
19 min

About College Admissions Insider

From the publisher's feed

A whole lot happens between choosing a list of top schools and getting that thick acceptance envelope in the mail. But you don't have to take that journey alone. On each episode of College Admissions…