In this episode of The College Prep Podcast, hosts Megan and Erin tackle a question that causes a great deal of stress and confusion for students and parents alike: What do colleges really want from applicants? Moving beyond myths about perfect GPAs, nonstop leadership titles, and extreme extracurriculars, they explain how colleges evaluate students across a wide range of institutions, from community colleges to highly selective universities.

Megan and Erin break down the key factors colleges consider, including a student's ability to handle academic rigor, how well an applicant aligns with a school's institutional goals, and the ways students are likely to contribute to campus life. They discuss why transcripts matter more than just grades, how colleges think about fit, and why leadership and contribution look different for every student. The conversation also addresses less talked about realities of admissions, such as institutional priorities, rankings, financial considerations, yield, and the unavoidable role of chance in selective admissions.

The episode concludes with practical guidance on how families should use this information, especially when building a balanced college list. Megan and Erin emphasize focusing on mutual fit rather than prestige, understanding that rejection is not a personal failure, and choosing schools where students can both succeed academically and belong meaningfully.

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, especially for families who do not qualify for need based financial aid. In this episode, Megan and Erin break down how merit based scholarships really work and how families can be more strategic about reducing the cost of college.

What We Cover in This Episode

• The difference between need based aid and merit based scholarships
• Why income level does not disqualify students from scholarship opportunities
• How families should think about affordability when building a college list
• The importance of choosing schools that want your student academically or talent wise
• Megan's three step framework for maximizing scholarships
– Identify your student's strengths and academic profile
– Find colleges where your student is a strong match
– Stay flexible and compare offers at the end
• Why being a "big fish in a smaller pond" can be an advantage academically and financially
• How GPA, rigor, and test scores are evaluated for scholarships
• Why weighted GPA matters far less than most families think
• Where private schools often have more flexibility than public universities
• How to use college fairs, school counselors, and college websites to identify scholarship friendly schools
• Why most scholarships are about getting more for less, not going to college for free
• Alternative cost saving paths including community college, transfer options, and tuition reciprocity programs
• Why private outside scholarships are usually supplemental rather than the main source of aid

Key Takeaway

Most scholarship money comes directly from colleges trying to attract the right students. Families who are open minded, realistic about fit, and strategic about school selection often see the biggest financial wins.

Have Questions About Scholarships?

Send your questions to CollegePrepPodcast@gmail.com and let us know what topics you want us to cover next.

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

LISTENER EMAIL! We love these--and our friend Ben sent one in wanting to know what he might do in the early stages of college prep to set himself up for success. Megan and Erin make a must-have checklist for this proactive eigth-grader!