

Need help navigating the college admissions process? We’re here to help! Every other Monday we’ll bring you exclusive interviews with Former Admissions Officers, graduates from top universities, and admissions experts. Each episode will be filled with application tips and first-hand experiences that will help you get into your dream school. Brought to you by InGenius Prep, the world’s largest team of Former Admissions Officers. Questions or comments? Email us at contact@ingeniusprep.com InGeniusPrep.com
Episodes

Monday Mar 14, 2022
Monday Mar 14, 2022
On today’s episode, we chat with Gail Rubin Dauer, a Former Application Review Specialist, at the University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Gail and I discuss what type of students the University of Michigan looks for and how applicants can stand out. Gail highlights what makes UMich special and how students should approach its supplemental essays.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
How to Write the University of Michigan Supplemental Essays 2021-2022
The University of Michigan Undergraduate Programs
How to Get Into the University of Michigan
Letter of Continued Interest for Deferral and Waitlists
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Register for one of our webinars.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Monday Feb 28, 2022
Monday Feb 28, 2022
On today’s episode, we chat with Heather McCutchen, a former Admissions Reader at Dartmouth, and Mary Chobanian, a former Admissions Reader at Harvard and Barnard. Heather and Mary share the insights they gained from the 2021 National Association for College Admissions Counseling conference. They discuss everything from test-optional policies to AI in admissions.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
2022 Test Optional Colleges: Changes in Light of COVID-19
Register for one of our upcoming webinars to learn more from our Former Admissions Officers.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Monday Feb 07, 2022
Monday Feb 07, 2022
On today’s episode, we chat with Melissa Rains, a former Director of Merit Scholarships at Duke University and an InGenius Prep counselor. Melissa breaks down what goes on behind the scenes in the Duke admissions and merit scholarship offices. She also provides students with tangible advice to increase their likelihood of receiving a merit scholarship at Duke and other elite universities.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
Analyzing the Duke Supplemental Essays 2021-2022
College Admissions 101: How to Start the Application Process
Register for one of our upcoming webinars to learn more from our Former Admissions Officers.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Monday Jan 24, 2022
46. The ABCs of College Financial Aid: Scholarships, Loans, and More
Monday Jan 24, 2022
Monday Jan 24, 2022
On today’s episode, we chat with the team behind SMARTTRACK College Funding, National Program Director Cyndi Menegaz and Co-Founder & CFO Scott Greenameyer. Scott and Cyndi break down the different types of college funding and how families can maximize the aid they receive. They provide common misconceptions and mistakes to set families up for success on their college financial aid journey.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
How to Increase Your Chances of Maximizing Financial Aid for College
Financial Prep for College: A Guide for High Schoolers
Learn more about SMARTTRACK College Funding and access the resources Cyndi discussed here.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
On today’s episode, we chat again with Padya Paramita, an InGenius Prep Graduate Coach and Columbia student. Padya and I discuss why students might be deferred or rejected from their early decision or early action college. Padya explains the next steps students can take, including writing a letter of continued interest if they’re deferred and applying ED II if they’re rejected.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
Letter of Continued Interest for Deferrals
Should You Apply to an Early Decision II School?
Looking for an extra set of eyes on your application? Click here to sign up for a free consultation to discuss our final review services, where one of our Former Admissions Officers will provide comprehensive feedback on your application.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Monday Nov 22, 2021
Monday Nov 22, 2021
On today’s episode, we chat with Nick Strohl, a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale University and an InGenius Prep counselor. Nick and I discuss what makes Yale unique compared to other Ivy League and elite colleges, and what really goes on behind the scenes in the admissions office. Nick breaks down the Yale application, including the dreaded supplemental essays, and offers applicants his best advice.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
How to Approach the Yale Supplemental Essays 2021-2022
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Monday Nov 08, 2021
43. The Ultimate Guide to MBA Admissions and the MBA Experience
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Monday Nov 08, 2021
On today’s episode, we chat with Daniel Valenti, InGenius Prep’s Managing Director and a graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Daniel and I discuss the MBA admissions process, and what applicants really need to do to succeed. Daniel breaks down the MBA experience, from classes to recruiting and everything in between.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
Everything You Need to Know About Business School Essays
Building Your List of Business Schools
Who Should Write Your MBA Recommendation Letters
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Monday Oct 18, 2021
42. What a UChicago Admissions Officer Really Wants | University of Chicago
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Monday Oct 18, 2021
On today’s episode, we chat with Natalia Ostrowski, a former Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago and a current InGenius Prep counselor. Natalia and I discuss what goes on behind the scenes in the UChicago admissions office, and what admissions officers really think about applicants. Natalia shares how students can gain that coveted UChicago acceptance as well as what makes it such a special and exclusive school.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
A Guide to the UChicago Supplemental Essays 2021-2022
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Monday Oct 04, 2021
41. Applying to the UCs: A Comprehensive Guide
Monday Oct 04, 2021
Monday Oct 04, 2021
On today’s episode, we chat with Christina Llerena, a Former Admissions Reader at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz. Christina and I discuss the University of California system and its 10 campuses across the Golden State. Christina reveals what goes on behind the scenes in a UC admissions office and how students can snag a spot at a top school like Berkeley.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
How to Answer the UC Personal Insight Questions
Which University of California Essays Should You Write? Questions to Ask Yourself
A Step-by-Step Guide to the University of California Application
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Monday Sep 06, 2021
40. Complete Guide to BS/MD College Admissions and Applications
Monday Sep 06, 2021
Monday Sep 06, 2021
On today’s episode, we chat with Stacy Wells Shea, the former Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Rochester. Stacy and I discuss BS/MD programs and how students can gain admission to these elite cohorts. Stacy reveals the pros and cons of these programs and what admissions officers really want from potential BD/MD students.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
A Guide to Combined BS/MD Programs
The Best Colleges for Pre-Med Students
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!