The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: Get It Together: Organizing Your College Apps

   Host Ian Fisher welcomes three experts for a practical conversation designed to help students and families get organized and make informed decisions about their college application process. In Segment 1, longtime College Coach counselor Marj Southworth breaks down the various early rounds of college admissions, including Early Decision, Early Action, and Rolling Admission. Marj explains the strategic considerations behind each option, discusses the benefits and limitations of applying early, and explores situations where students may be better served by waiting rather than rushing to meet an Early Action "soft" deadline. Next, first-time guest Shaniqua Marlowe joins the show to share her professional background and discuss Getting Organized: Coordinating the Application Process. Shaniqua walks listeners through the many moving pieces involved in submitting college applications, including transcripts, recommendations, test scores, essays, and other application requirements. She offers practical advice for creating timelines, tracking deadlines, and managing responsibilities so students can stay on top of the process without feeling overwhelmed. Finally, Finance Expert Chrissy Foran focuses on Getting Organized Financially for the Admissions and College Payment Process. From understanding financial aid forms and scholarship opportunities to keeping track of important financial deadlines, Chrissy outlines the steps families should take to prepare for college costs. She also discusses the financial implications of Early Decision.

   September 03, 2026·54min
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   Number 2: The Ivy + Schools

   Host Ian Fisher examines the realities of admission and affordability at the nation's most selective colleges, separating headlines and misconceptions from the facts families need to know. From admission trends and testing policies to financial aid and paying the bill, this episode takes a practical look at the institutions often referred to as the "Ivy Plus" colleges. In the first segment, Ian is joined by College Coach Scott Alexander to discuss admission trends among the Ivies and other highly selective institutions. Together, they cut through the noise surrounding elite college admission and focus on what the data actually shows. Scott explains what colleges are typically included in the "Ivy Plus" category, explores recent admission trends, and discusses the growing movement among many highly selective institutions to return to standardized testing requirements. The conversation also tackles one of the most talked-about topics in higher education: the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Scott breaks down what these rankings do and do not measure, helping families understand how much weight they should really give to rankings when building a college list. In the second segment, finance expert Parisa Salavitabar addresses a question many families ask after seeing attention-grabbing headlines: Can you really get free tuition at an Ivy? Parisa takes a closer look at the increasingly generous financial aid announcements coming from Ivy League and other highly selective institutions, helping listeners understand the fine print behind the press releases. She explains who typically qualifies for these programs, how colleges define family income and assets, and why "free tuition" does not always mean "free college." The episode concludes with finance expert Michelle Smoley, who examines how families pay for an Ivy League education when they do not qualify for the most generous financial aid programs. Michelle reviews the range of options available, including savings, current income, payment plans, student and parent loans, and other funding strategies. She also explains why private scholarships, while valuable, are often not the most effective strategy for covering the full cost of attendance at highly selective colleges.

   August 06, 2026·54min
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   Number 3: Changes to Student Loan Repayments

   Host Ian Fisher welcomes listeners for an episode featuring two familiar faces and one new voice. In the first segment, Ian continues the "Meet an Educator" series with College Coach Stacey Badger. Stacey reflects on her career in admission at the University of Southern California, where she worked with applicants across multiple academic divisions, including both Viterbi Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. She shares insights into how applications are reviewed for different academic programs, what students often misunderstand about the admission process, and how her experiences as an admission professional shape the guidance she provides today. Stacey also discusses her own undergraduate journey and what she enjoys most about helping students and families navigate the college process as part of the Bright Horizons College Coach team. Next, Ian sits down with finance expert and longtime member of our Finance Team Dina Birmingham who will be the podcast's newest host starting next week. Dina shares about why she is excited to take on a hosting role and the unique perspective she hopes to bring to future episodes, helping families better understand how financial planning and admission decisions intersect throughout the college journey. The episode concludes with finance expert Michelle Clifton, who provides an update on the latest developments in federal student loan repayment. Michelle explains recent changes affecting borrowers, including the end of the SAVE plan forbearance, and discusses practical steps families and graduates can take to understand their repayment options, such as using available loan repayment calculators and planning tools to evaluate payment strategies and make informed decisions as the student loan landscape continues to evolve.

   July 09, 2026·54min
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   Number 4: Rollins College: "Won't You Be Their Neighbor?"

   Host Sally Ganga continues our "Deep Dive" series with a closer look at Rollins College, a private liberal arts institution located in Winter Park, Florida, just outside Orlando. With approximately 3,000 undergraduate students, Rollins combines the personalized attention of a small college with the opportunities and resources of a vibrant metropolitan area. Sally is joined by Dr. Faye Tydlaska, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing; Dr. Anne Stone, Interim Associate Dean, Cornell Chair of Social Impact, and Professor of Communications; Joseph Pool '26, a Public Policy and Political Economy major, Alfond Scholar, Ginsburg-Phoenix Fellow, and founder of Breaking Bread; and Valerie Mandel, Executive Director of the Center for Career and Life Planning. Together, they explore what makes Rollins unique, from its distinction as the oldest college in Florida to its student-centered approach and strong sense of community. The conversation highlights the close relationships students build with faculty (not quite to the level of texting back and forth… but close!), the individualized support available both inside and outside the classroom, and the ways the college encourages intellectual curiosity, leadership, and engagement. Along the way, listeners will learn about one of Rollins' most famous alumni—Mr. Rogers (yes, that Mr. Rogers)—and how his legacy of connection and care continues to reflect many of the institution's values. The guests also discuss how Rollins prepares students for life after graduation. Valerie shares how the Center for Career and Life Planning helps students connect their academic interests to meaningful careers through internships, employer partnerships, and career exploration opportunities. Joseph offers a student perspective on taking advantage of the college's resources, while Drs. Tydlaska and Stone discuss the balance Rollins strikes between academic rigor, close faculty mentorship, and real-world preparation.

   July 02, 2026·52min
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   Number 5: Application Deadlines; Financing Advice; Common App Activity List

   Rising seniors already know that this summer is an important time to get ahead on their application work. One important component of that is finalizing your list and noting important submission deadlines. And understanding those options is key to your success. With that in mind, we'll discuss early decision one and two, early action, restricted early action, priority, regular decision, and rolling decision. For those with tuition bills due, we have advice for securing financing for the upcoming year. And in Office Hours, we're all about starting your activity list for the Common Application.

   June 09, 2022·51min
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