Host Julie Lythcott-Haims and expert Josh Steckel-- a college counselor at the Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies and the author of Hold Fast to Dreams-- answer listener questions.
The first question is from a parent who's child is applying early to a college that's "testing optional." She wonders if excluding test scores from the application could hurt her daughter's chances of acceptance. The second question is from a teacher who asks if recommendation letters are a waste of time.
Next week on Getting In: The College Essay.
Send us an email--or better yet, a voice memo--to gettingin@slate.comOr, call our hotline and leave a message at (929) 999-4353.
Getting In is sponsored by Audible.com.Get a free audiobook of your choice at www.audible.com/college and use the promo code COLLEGE.

Host Julie Lythcott-Haims and expert Josh Steckel-- a college counselor at the Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies and the author of Hold Fast to Dreams-- answer listener questions. The first question is from a parent who's child is applying early to a college that's "testing optional." She wonders if excluding test scores from the application could hurt her daughter's chances of acceptance. The second question is from a teacher who asks if recommendation letters are a waste of time. Next week on Getting In: The College Essay. Send us an email--or better yet, a voice memo--to gettingin@slate.comOr, call our hotline and leave a message at (929) 999-4353. Getting In is sponsored by Audible.com.Get a free audiobook of your choice at www.audible.com/college and use the promo code COLLEGE.

Ep 1C: Why Recommendation Letters Matter & “Test Optional” Schools

For millions of American teenagers and their parents, adolescence is increasingly defined by one all-consuming goal: Getting into the right college.
“Getting In” is a real-time podcast following a diverse group of New York-area high school seniors through the exhilarating and harrowing process of applying to college. The series is hosted by Julie Lythcott-Haims, the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University and author of “How to Raise an Adult.” 
The season will chronicle all the important steps along the way, from applications to (we hope) acceptances. The students will get advice from a stellar panel of experts, including former admissions officials from schools such as Princeton and UVA, and from experienced high school guidance counselors. The experts will also answer listeners’ questions.
Nothing can remove the stress and uncertainty of the modern college application process, but “Getting In” aims to provide both teens and their parents with the kind of knowledgeable companionship that will at least make them feel they’re not alone.

Society & Culture

Education

For millions of American teenagers and their parents, adolescence is increasingly defined by one all-consuming goal: Getting into the right college. “Getting In” is a real-time podcast following a diverse group of New York-area high school seniors through the exhilarating and harrowing process of applying to college. The series is hosted by Julie Lythcott-Haims, the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University and author of “How to Raise an Adult.” The season will chronicle all the important steps along the way, from applications to (we hope) acceptances. The students will get advice from a stellar panel of experts, including former admissions officials from schools such as Princeton and UVA, and from experienced high school guidance counselors. The experts will also answer listeners’ questions. Nothing can remove the stress and uncertainty of the modern college application process, but “Getting In” aims to provide both teens and their parents with the kind of knowledgeable companionship that will at least make them feel they’re not alone.

Share Ep 1C: Why Recommendation Letters Matter & “Test Optional” Schools

Sign up to save your podcasts

Ep 1C: Why Recommendation Letters Matter & “Test Optional” Schools

Ep 1C: Why Recommendation Letters Matter & “Test Optional” Schools

More shows like Getting In: Your College Admissions Companion

Freakonomics Radio

TED Talks Education

Why Oh Why

Retirement Answer Man

The Jesse Chappus Show

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Our National Conversation About Conversations A...

LifeAfter/The Message

Quiet: The Power of Introverts with Susan Cain

Radical Candor: Communication at Work

The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions

The Grift

Happier in Hollywood

Haunted

The Fox News Rundown

You Must Remember Manson

The Walk

Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews

Life Kit

The Journal.

The Ramsey Show Highlights

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

This Is So Awkward

My So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujani