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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
  • 398. What Colleges Really Look For: Inside Regis College Admissions with Chris Lydon

    398. What Colleges Really Look For: Inside Regis College Admissions with Chris Lydon
    26 Oct 2026
    In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, host Dr. John Durante speaks with Chris Lydon, Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment and Dean of Admission at Regis College. During Regis College’s centennial year, Chris discusses the college’s supportive campus community, nursing and health sciences programs, and how the admissions team evaluates applicants.The conversation offers practical guidance on academic preparation, test-free admissions, extracurricular involvement, recommendation letters, and writing an authentic college application.In This EpisodeRegis College at 100: Explore its residential community, academic programs, and strengths in nursing and clinical health sciences.A Supportive Campus: Learn about Regis’s commitment to knowing students individually and helping them succeed.Transcript Evaluation: Understand how Regis recalculates GPAs on an unweighted 4.0 scale and considers course rigor in the context of each high school and intended major.Test-Free Admissions: Discover why Regis does not use standardized test scores for admission or merit scholarship consideration.Extracurricular Activities: Learn why commitment, responsibility, and depth of involvement matter more than simply having a long activity list.Recommendations and Essays: Explore how specific anecdotes, authentic storytelling, and thoughtful proofreading strengthen an application.Additional Information: Understand when providing context about academic challenges or disruptions can help admissions officers better understand an applicant.Building Your College List: Consider an essential question before applying: Would you be happy attending the college if it were your only affordable option?Memorable Insights“The transcript is two-dimensional and black and white. Essays, recommendations, and activities are the color of the humans we're considering.” — Chris Lydon“What's the most important year of high school? The answer is the year you're currently in. That is the only year that matters.” — Chris LydonKey takeaway: A strong college application goes beyond grades. Academic choices, personal experiences, meaningful involvement, and authentic storytelling help admissions professionals understand the student behind the transcript.Regis Admission & Aid📬 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.comLinkedIn ​Instagram Facebook TikTok
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    50 min
  • 397. Suffolk County Community College: Affordable Pathways to College & Career Success

    397. Suffolk County Community College: Affordable Pathways to College & Career Success
    19 Oct 2026
    Pathways to Success at Suffolk County Community CollegeIn this episode, Dr. John Durante welcomes Dr. Katherine C. Aguirre, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Suffolk County Community College, to discuss why community college can be a powerful pathway to academic, personal, and career success.Topics include:Why Suffolk County Community College is one of the nation's leading community colleges, offering nearly 100 degree and certificate programs across three campuses.The benefits of small class sizes, personalized faculty support, and a vibrant campus life.How the Honors Program prepares students to transfer successfully to institutions such as Cornell, Yale, Princeton, and UNC Chapel Hill.Strategies for reducing college costs while earning transferable college credits.High-demand programs including Nursing, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Automotive Technology, and Culinary Arts.Opportunities for adult learners through Fast Career certifications and the SUNY Reconnect program, which provides free tuition for eligible students.Admissions tips, including SUNY Free Application Week and how to apply.Whether you're a high school student, parent, counselor, or adult learner, this episode highlights the many affordable pathways available to help students achieve their educational and career goals.ResourcesApply to Suffolk County Community College: sunysuffolk.edu/applyLearn more about the SUNY Reconnect program for eligible adult learners.From Dr. Katherine C. Aguirre:Contact: K. AguirreEmail: Aguirrk@sunysuffolk.edu (Please mention THE CAP PODCAST when reaching out)SUNY Reconnect: www.sunysuffolk.edu/reconnectApply Online: www.sunysuffolk.edu/apply📬 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.comLinkedIn ​Instagram Facebook TikTok
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    31 min
  • 392. Inside Brandeis Admissions: What Dean Emily Roper-Doten Wants Applicants to Know

    392. Inside Brandeis Admissions: What Dean Emily Roper-Doten Wants Applicants to Know
    14 Sep 2026
    Navigating the Brandeis University Admissions Process with Dean Emily Roper-DotenIn this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, I sat down with Emily Roper-Doten, Dean of Admissions at Brandeis University, to discuss what makes Brandeis unique and how students can strengthen their college applications.Dean Roper-Doten shares insights into Brandeis University's mission, admissions review process, test-optional policy, Early Decision program, financial aid resources, and the qualities that help students stand out in a highly competitive applicant pool. She also offers practical advice for students and families navigating today's college admissions landscape.In This EpisodeUnderstanding the Brandeis University ExperienceThe history and mission of Brandeis University.The institution's commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and intellectual inquiry.How Brandeis combines rigorous academics, research opportunities, and a vibrant arts community.How Applications Are EvaluatedWhy the high school transcript remains the most important part of the application.What admissions officers look for beyond GPA and test scores.The importance of academic growth, course selection, and sustained achievement.Authenticity MattersWhy students should focus on telling their story rather than trying to impress admissions officers.Tips for writing a compelling college essay.How meaningful extracurricular involvement matters more than the number of activities listed.Early Decision, Demonstrated Interest, and Test-Optional AdmissionsWhen Early Decision is the right choice.How demonstrated interest fits into the admissions process.What students should know about Brandeis' longstanding test-optional policy.Innovation in Financial Aid and Career PreparationAn introduction to FAY, Brandeis University's AI-powered financial aid tool.How Brandeis is helping students prepare for careers through innovative assessment of real-world skills.Why Listen?If you're interested in Brandeis University, highly selective college admissions, financial aid, test-optional admissions, college essays, or application strategies, this episode provides valuable insights directly from a Dean of Admissions.ResourcesBrandeis University Office of Undergraduate AdmissionsFAYE Financial Aid Estimator -------------------------------📬 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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    44 min
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