Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions Officers

103. Take a Gap Year, Secure Your Dream School

Are you ready to break free from the traditional path and take your future into your own hands?

Today, we’re talking gap years and how they can completely reshape your college application (and your life).

The Admissions Advantage–Former Dartmouth admissions officer shares how a gap year can:

• Demonstrate leadership, maturity, and initiative to college admissions teams
• Help students stand out in a competitive applicant pool

What Makes a Gap Year Transformative–Jaein Seo, Director of Global Higher Ed Relationships at Baret Scholars, explains:

• How students gain life-changing experiences by immersing in new cultures
• The value of collaborating with mentors and industry leaders
• The impact of leading real-world projects and building critical skills

If you and your student have ever considered taking a year to pause, explore, and grow, this episode is a must-listen. Discover how a gap year can be the best investment in their future.

For more information on Baret Scholars and its gap year program, visit their website and and keep up with their current cohort's travel updates on Instagram. 

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102. College Athletic Recruitment: Expert Insights from US Sailing

Is your student interested in college athletic recruitment? Don’t miss our latest podcast episode, where we dive deep into the college sailing recruitment process! In partnership with US Sailing, we bring you expert insights from experienced professionals, including how to connect with coaches, meet recruitment deadlines, secure athletic scholarships, and prepare for tryouts and team dynamics. Tune in now for expert advice that will help your student navigate the college sailing recruitment process and set sail for success!

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. 

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Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com.

To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

 

101. College Application Q&A: What Admissions Officers from Brown, UPenn & Harvard Really Want from Applicants

Ready to tackle college application season? Our latest podcast episode is here to help you navigate this critical time!

Join us as we bring together a panel of former admissions officers from the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, and Harvard to address the most common questions surrounding college applications, personal essays, the Common App, letters of recommendation, resumes, activity lists, and much more.

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. 

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Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com.

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100. Cracking the Code: The Roadmap to Grad School Success for Engineering Majors

Curious about what it takes to get into grad school as an engineering major? Tune in to our latest episode featuring special guest Will Fenton! Whether you're aiming for a cutting-edge career in tech or looking to make an impact through research, this episode is packed with insider tips to help you succeed.

We cover the key academic skills needed to stand out, plus the extracurriculars and leadership experiences that can make your grad school application shine. Don't miss this chance to hear expert advice on how to build a competitive profile.

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. 

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Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com.

To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

99. Parenting Advice for High-Achieving High Schoolers

What does it take to effectively parent high-achieving students and guide them toward Ivy League admissions? In this insightful episode, Heather McCutchen—Former Admissions Officer—shares her unique journey of homeschooling her three children during their junior high years, all of whom successfully gained admission to Ivy League schools. Discover practical parenting advice as Heather explains how she nurtured each child's individual strengths, built resilience, and encouraged them to think creatively. Learn how allowing her children to pursue happiness in their school choices fostered greater involvement, risk-taking, and leadership opportunities—key elements for academic success. Tune in for actionable tips on supporting your high achievers in their educational journeys and empowering them to become independent thinkers!

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. 

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Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com.

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98. Empower Your Child: Essential Resources for Supporting Executive Functioning and ADHD in Children

Wondering how to support your child in developing the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond? In this episode, we’re exploring the world of executive functioning—the critical skills that enable your child to manage time, stay organized, and succeed academically and personally. We’ll break down what executive functioning is, why it’s so essential for your child’s development, and how to recognize when they might need additional support.

We’ll also be sharing expert-approved strategies you can implement right away to strengthen your child’s executive functioning skills. And with technology being such a big part of daily life, we’ll dive into its impact on these skills and offer tips on how to maintain a healthy balance.

Joining us is special guest Dr. Anna Levy-Warren from Organizational Tutors, who will provide her professional insights and practical advice. This episode is a must-listen for parents, teachers, and anyone dedicated to helping children reach their full potential.

Here are additional resources referenced in the podcast by Dr. Anna Levy-Warren:

• Barkley, 12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD

• Gallagher, Abikoff, and Spira, Organizational Skills Training for Children with ADHD

• CHADD: Overview for Parents

• Understood.org

• Dawson, P., & Guare, R., Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary Executive Skills Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential

• Mougios, Action Potential: The Secrets of Superlearners

• ADDitude, The ADHD Healthy Habits Handbook for 2023

• Palladino, Parenting in the Age of Attention Snatchers: A Step-by-Step Guide to Balancing Your Child's Use of Technology

These resources provide valuable insights and strategies for supporting children with ADHD and enhancing their executive functioning skills. To learn more about the amazing work from Dr. Anna Levy-Warren at Organizational Tutors, check out their website here: https://hubs.la/Q02QDQSs0 

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97. Mastering Speech, Debate, and Mock Trial: Essential Strategies To Stand Out

Wondering how speech, debate, and mock trial competitions can impact your child’s future success?

In this episode, we dive into the dynamic world of speech, debate, and mock trial competitions, offering students, parents, and educators essential insights. Learn how participation in these activities can boost academic performance, enhance critical thinking skills, and pave the way for college admissions success. Our guest shares winning strategies, discusses the role of mentorship, and offers guidance on handling setbacks. Whether you're aiming for national or international competitions, this episode equips you with the tools to excel and leverage your achievements for future career opportunities.

To learn more about the amazing work ModernBrain is involved in, including their classes, counseling services, and scholarship opportunities, visit https://hubs.la/Q02N-CLB0. 

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. 

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Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com.

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96. Empowering Young Minds: Expert Insights from a Former UChicago Admissions Officer and How the Leadership & Entrepreneurship Exploration (LEE) Program Builds Future Leaders

In this episode, we’re joined by two special guests: Matt Rosenbaum, a former UChicago Admissions Officer, and Maya Gobert, Director of the Leadership and Innovation Lab (LIL). Matt shares expert insights on nurturing curiosity in young students, how parents can support their educational journey, and common mistakes parents make during their child’s formative years. Maya explains how the Leadership & Entrepreneurship Exploration (LEE) program builds essential skills like confidence, communication, and problem-solving in just eight weeks. We also discuss how the LIL LEE program introduces entrepreneurship with valuable 1-on-1 support and offers tips on balancing focused learning with open-minded exploration during the crucial middle school years. 

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. 

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Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com.

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95. What Does a Harvard Admissions Officer Look for in Applicants? | Harvard College Admissions Insights

Interested in what a Harvard Admissions Officer looks for in applicants? 

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the intricacies of the Harvard College admissions process with Bruno, a Former Admissions Officer at Harvard College. Bruno shares insider details on what Harvard truly values in both first-year and transfer applicants, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the selection process. We also explore the significant changes in admissions criteria following the recent lawsuit and discuss actionable strategies for prospective students to stand out in their applications. If you’re aiming to gain admission to Harvard, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you navigate the competitive world of college admissions.

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. 

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Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com.

To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

94. Crafting Successful College Applications: The Winning InGenius Prep Strategy

Curious how our students enjoy a 99% acceptance rate? On today’s episode, Joel Butterly, Co-Founder and CEO of InGenius Prep dives into the unique strategies and programs that set InGenius Prep apart. We also explore real-life examples and listener questions, offering continued insight into how students can craft standout college applications and achieve their college dreams. 

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. 

Join our private Facebook Group to ask our Former Admissions Officers any questions!

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Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email noel.kim@ingeniusprep.com.

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