The College Admissions Process Podcast Podcast By John Durante cover art

The College Admissions Process Podcast

The College Admissions Process Podcast

By: John Durante
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Welcome to "The College Admissions Process Podcast," your ultimate resource for navigating the journey to higher education while receiving application tips and other college advice. I am your host, John Durante, and I am here to introduce you to college admissions representatives, and other professionals in the field of college admissions. Our purpose is to serve you the students and parents, so that you may gain insight straight from the people who ultimately make the decisions. Regardless of whether you will apply to a particular school being highlighted in a given podcast episode, you should listen to all of them, as each guest will give you tremendous insight and advice on every aspect of the college admissions process. Lastly, if you have any questions you’d like me to cover on future episodes, or any comments you’d like to share, please email me at: collegeadmissionstalk@gmail.com And don’t forget to visit our website at www.collegeadmissionstalk.com So, are you ready? Let’s talk about it.Copyright 2026 John Durante Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 371. Stevens Institute of Technology - Carlos Cano - Director of Undergraduate Admissions

    371. Stevens Institute of Technology - Carlos Cano - Director of Undergraduate Admissions
    Apr 20 2026
    In this episode, Dr. John Durante welcomes back Carlos Cano, the Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. Carlos provides an insider's look at how Stevens evaluates applicants, the introduction of a groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence major, and the university’s commitment to affordability through the new "Stevens Investment" program. Whether you are a student aiming for a career in STEM or a parent navigating the "passenger seat" of the admissions journey, this conversation offers practical advice on standing out in a competitive field.Key Takeaways:• New Affordability Initiatives: Stevens has introduced "The Stevens Investment," a program starting for the Fall 2026 class that meets 100% of tuition needs for families with an income of less than $75,000.• Cutting-Edge Academics: Stevens is launching one of the nation's few undergraduate majors in Artificial Intelligence for Fall 2026.• The Stevens Philosophy: The institution operates under the motto "Inspired by humanity, empowered by technology," focusing on bridging the gap between technical innovation and real-world impact.• Application Insights:◦ Test-Optional Policy: Stevens will remain test-optional through Fall 2029, as internal data shows little difference in performance between students who submit scores and those who do not.◦ Evaluation Process: Applications are reviewed by two to five readers who look for reasons to admit, focusing heavily on academic rigor (especially Calculus for engineering applicants) and demonstrated interest.◦ Holistic Review: The team values quality over quantity in extracurriculars and encourages students to use the additional information section to provide context for personal circumstances or "intangibles".• Institutional Priorities: Current goals include increasing the female population in STEM and expanding the student body’s geographic diversity to represent all 50 states.Expert Advice for Families:• For Students: "Drive the process." Be the one communicating with admissions and making the final decisions. Stay organized and prioritize campus visits to ensure the "vibe" is the right fit.• For Parents: Act as the "biggest cheerleader" from the passenger seat. Support the journey without taking the wheel.• On Essays: Avoid common pitfalls like the "generic sports injury" story unless it reveals a deeper, unique discovery. Use the supplemental essay to specifically connect your goals to Stevens’ unique offerings.Memorable Quote:"This process at the end of the day is supposed to be fun for everyone involved... take the opportunities when you need to to take a step back and reenter and refocus so that when the victories come, you're ready to celebrate them in earnest." — Carlos Cano-------------------------------------------------📬 Join my email list for practical college tips - and a free giftSPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores.🎯 Special Offer for Listeners: Use the code COLLEGETALK (one word) at checkout to receive 20% off.📚 For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with Linkswww.collegeadmissionstalk.com​Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn YouTube Shorts
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    59 mins
  • 370. University of Idaho - Casey Campbell - Assistant Director of Admissions

    370. University of Idaho - Casey Campbell - Assistant Director of Admissions
    Apr 13 2026
    🎙️ In this episode I speak with with Casey Campbell, Assistant Director of Admissions at University of Idaho, about what makes the Vandal experience unique:🌟 Campus Culture: The “Hello Walk” keeps students and faculty connected through friendly greetings—every day.🔬 Early Research Access: Two-thirds of undergrads engage in research, often before senior year.📅 Rolling Admissions & Financial Planning: Apply early to secure housing and plan finances.💰 Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): Save ~$16k/year for western students—stackable with GPA-based scholarships.✏️ Additional Info Section: Use it to explain context for grades or outside responsibilities.🌲 Experiential Learning: Programs like “Semester in the Wild” let students research in Idaho’s wilderness.🤝 Student Support: CDAR & Raven Scholar programs provide personalized support for all students.Casey’s Top Tips for Applicants:1️⃣ Do Your Research – Make sure U of I offers what you need.2️⃣ Reach Out – Admissions counselors are here to help.3️⃣ Visit Campus – Virtual or in-person, get a feel for the environment.🔗 Resources Mentioned: ZeeMee, Scholarship Universe, Vandal Gateway Program💡 Analogy: U of I = a professional-grade research lab with the warmth of a family dinner table—top-tier resources, small-community feel, and yes…everyone says hello.Home | University of IdahoAdmissions | University of IdahoExperiential learning | University of IdahoVisit — virtual and campus tours | University of IdahoA very busy day in the life | University of Idaho engineering student----------------------------------------------📬 Join my email list for practical college tips - and a free giftSPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores.🎯 Special Offer for Listeners: Use the code COLLEGETALK (one word) at checkout to receive 20% off.📚 For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with Linkswww.collegeadmissionstalk.com​Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn YouTube Shorts
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    28 mins
  • 369. Claremont McKenna College - Jennifer Sandoval-Danc - VP for Admission & Financial Aid

    369. Claremont McKenna College - Jennifer Sandoval-Danc - VP for Admission & Financial Aid
    Apr 6 2026
    🎙️ Claremont McKenna College: Mission, Fit & Holistic AdmissionsGuest: Jennifer Sandoval-Dance, VP for Admission & Financial Aid at CMCIn this episode, Jennifer returns to break down what’s new at Claremont McKenna and what truly matters in their admissions review. If you’re applying to CMC—or any selective liberal arts college—this is a must-listen.🌟 What We Cover:• New academic and campus developments, including the Open Academy and the Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences• How CMC’s mission of leadership and responsible citizenship drives everything—from courses to the review process• What the two-officer holistic review really looks like 👀• How to approach the CMC supplemental essays, especially mission alignment + Open Academy• What CMC looks for in transcripts, rigor, and academic context 📚• Test-optional advice (and future testing considerations)• How to communicate leadership and impact in the Activities section• Guidance for students with IEPs/504s and how to think about disclosure• Why financial fit conversations need to start early 💸• Jennifer’s top advice for applicants and families navigating this process 🎯Whether you're just starting your search or finalizing applications, this conversation offers clear and actionable guidance straight from CMC’s admissions leadership.🎧 Tune in and share with a student exploring CMC or the Claremont Colleges!Open AcademyKravis Department of Integrated SciencesRobert Day Sciences CenterAccessibility Services📬 Join my email list for practical college tips - and a free giftSPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores.🎯 Special Offer for Listeners: Use the code COLLEGETALK (one word) at checkout to receive 20% off.📚 For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with Linkswww.collegeadmissionstalk.com​Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn YouTube Shorts
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    51 mins
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I’ve greatly enjoyed this podcast. I have high-performing junior in high school, so it’s helpful to hear admission counselors from so many wonderful universities. It’s far different from college admissions 30 years ago! I especially enjoy the student interviews.

Great podcast

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