
105. Best college admissions advice revealed by Ivy League experts
12/30/24 • 61 min
🎙️ Episode Overview
We’re thrilled to bring you a brand-new episode of our podcast, packed with expert advice on the college admissions process that you won’t want to miss—especially if you have a high schooler in the middle of applying!
This week, we sit down with three former admissions officers from Harvard, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania to answer some of the most pressing, real-world college admissions questions straight from Reddit. These are the types of personal and thought-provoking questions that every student (and parent!) wants answers to, and we’re diving deep into them with our expert panel.
In this episode, you’ll hear insights on:
🎓 The "Competition of Suffering": Why students often feel the pressure to write about the "worst thing" that’s ever happened to them in their college essays—and how to approach this tricky topic without falling into the trap.
🤖 Using ChatGPT in College Essays: Can admissions officers tell if a student used tools like ChatGPT? We’ll unpack what truly matters when it comes to writing authentic college essays and how to stand out in your application.
🔍 Behind-the-Scenes of College Admissions: Hear from our team of former admissions officers about their experiences reviewing applications and what they wish they had studied in college (if it were free!).
Get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what happens in the admissions process at top-tier universities. Whether your student is just beginning their college journey or deep into application season, this episode is packed with valuable insider knowledge and actionable tips that both students and parents will find incredibly helpful.
---
To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE.
Register for our upcoming webinars.
Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email [email protected].
To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.
🎙️ Episode Overview
We’re thrilled to bring you a brand-new episode of our podcast, packed with expert advice on the college admissions process that you won’t want to miss—especially if you have a high schooler in the middle of applying!
This week, we sit down with three former admissions officers from Harvard, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania to answer some of the most pressing, real-world college admissions questions straight from Reddit. These are the types of personal and thought-provoking questions that every student (and parent!) wants answers to, and we’re diving deep into them with our expert panel.
In this episode, you’ll hear insights on:
🎓 The "Competition of Suffering": Why students often feel the pressure to write about the "worst thing" that’s ever happened to them in their college essays—and how to approach this tricky topic without falling into the trap.
🤖 Using ChatGPT in College Essays: Can admissions officers tell if a student used tools like ChatGPT? We’ll unpack what truly matters when it comes to writing authentic college essays and how to stand out in your application.
🔍 Behind-the-Scenes of College Admissions: Hear from our team of former admissions officers about their experiences reviewing applications and what they wish they had studied in college (if it were free!).
Get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what happens in the admissions process at top-tier universities. Whether your student is just beginning their college journey or deep into application season, this episode is packed with valuable insider knowledge and actionable tips that both students and parents will find incredibly helpful.
---
To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE.
Register for our upcoming webinars.
Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email [email protected].
To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.
Previous Episode

104. Aligning Your Student’s Goals with the Right Liberal Arts College
Are you ready to uncover the unique benefits of liberal arts colleges and help your student find their perfect fit?
In this episode, Krista, a seasoned admissions expert, will guide you and your student through aligning school choices with both academic and personal goals, ensuring your student is set up for success.
Here's what you'll learn:
- How to research liberal arts colleges to find your best-fit options
- The importance of aligning your academic and personal goals with your school choices
- Shifting your mindset from “Will I get in?” to “How can I shape myself as an ideal candidate?”
Listen to the episode for more practical tips to help you and your student navigate the college journey with confidence!
---
To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE.
Register for our upcoming webinars.
Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email [email protected].
To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.
Next Episode

106. Former Admissions Officers Reveal How to Ace the Duke Application
🎙️ Episode Overview
In this week's episode, we’re excited to have two Former Admissions Officers from Johns Hopkins and Yale join us for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at a real student’s Common App profile. They break down the activities list and personal essay, sharing what works, what doesn’t, and how the two pieces come together to tell a compelling story.
Want to know how to make your student's application shine? Tune in to see what admissions officers really look for—and what can make or break your chances.
For those of you eager to dive deeper and see the actual student's activities list and personal essay, we highly recommend watching the video version on Spotify here.
---
To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE.
Register for our upcoming webinars.
Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email [email protected].
To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/inside-the-admissions-office-advice-from-former-admissions-officers-89150/105-best-college-admissions-advice-revealed-by-ivy-league-experts-80961921"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to 105. best college admissions advice revealed by ivy league experts on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy