Best Dartmouth Admissions Podcasts (2025)

1
Smarter Summer, Stronger Application 24:52

1d ago24:52

24:52

Are you feeling pressure to make the most of summer—but not sure what actually matters for college admissions? In this episode, Steve Gardner breaks down the three most common mistakes high-achieving students make when planning their summer... and shows you how to avoid them. You’ll meet: Sophia, who overloaded her schedule trying to impress colleg…

1
The Story of Luis: How One International Applicant Found His Own Route to College 25:38

4d ago25:38

25:38

Meet Luis Aguero, a first-generation college-bound student from San Bernardino, Paraguay. Self-taught in English as well as the unfamiliar ways of the college admissions process in the United States, Luis navigated his admissions process entirely on his own: "I didn't have any information at all, I had to go out of my way to learn about the college…

1
The Mindy Project: Admissions Edition 49:30

10d ago49:30

49:30

Mindy Kaling joins AB for its 100th episode as the multi-talented Hollywood star and Dartmouth alumna remembers her own college admissions process in which "I wasn't thinking about the correct things." A high-achieving "comedy nerd" who had been weaned on "mountains of flashcards,” Mindy ponders her journey from home to college as she battled procr…

1
How My Daughter Got Into Dartmouth, by Tessymol Jose 48:13

11d ago48:13

48:13

Steve sits down with Tessymol Jose — the inspiring mother of Erica, one of our incredible students — to tell the full, raw story of their college admissions journey. This isn’t a sugar-coated success story. It’s a front-row seat to the overwhelming pressure, confusion, and heartbreak that so many ambitious students (and their families) experience w…

1
"Trust Yourself": Advice from Applicants and Parents Who've Been Where You are Going 44:21

18d ago44:21

44:21

AB's third annual open-ended conversation with applicants and parents at Dartmouth's admitted student open house offers insights and tips from those who have just navigated a successful college search. AB host and Dartmouth Dean Lee Coffin and recurring cohost Jacques Steinberg field wide-ranging comments and questions about admissions-induced proc…

1
Curiosity is a Skill to Develop 23:36

19d ago23:36

23:36

This episode is a special one — made especially for parents of Curiosity Lab students, but meaningful for anyone raising a curious preteen. Inside, Steve shares: Why curiosity is a skill, not a personality trait — and why that matters The five core pillars of the Curiosity Lab (and how they work together) Three powerful ways parents can support cur…

1
Lessons from the Stage 52:11

24d ago52:11

52:11

Extracurricular activities, which are essential ingredients of any college application, yield lessons and skillsets that animate a student's story. Reflecting on his own experience in the drama club at Shelton High School in Connecticut, AB host and Dartmouth Dean Lee Coffin welcomes Gary and Fran Scarpa, the longtime directors of Shelton's drama p…

1
How Passion Actually Works: From Disengagement to Mastery 1:03:37

25d ago1:03:37

1:03:37

Most teens today feel overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in the race to be impressive — all while secretly wondering: “How do some students become so great, so young?” In this episode, we break down the real process of building passion and achieving meaningful success — not by performing for approval, but by discovering purpose and leaning into long…

1
How Not to Get into the College of Your Choice 41:39

1M ago41:39

41:39

Veteran college counselor Doug Burdett, from Brunswick School in Connecticut, joins his longtime colleague and AB host Lee Coffin as they ponder the lessons from their 30-year careers on both sides of the admissions counseling desk. Drawing from those innumerable interactions with students and parents, they muse about the unintended pitfalls that c…

1
The Hidden Test: What Colleges are Really Looking For 24:23

1M ago24:23

24:23

What if the real test in college admissions isn’t the one you think it is? In this episode, we unpack “The Hidden Test”—the one that’s not on any syllabus and can’t be studied for with flashcards. Drawing from a powerful psychological experiment, wisdom from Ivy League deans Lee Coffin (Dartmouth) and Logan Powell (Brown), and real insights from th…

1
Children Will Listen 41:40

1M ago41:40

41:40

Marcia Hunt, past president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the longtime dean of college advising at Florida's Pine Crest School, joins AB host Lee Coffin as he recreates his "Advice to Parents" presentation from Pine Crest's junior kickoff in January. As he shares his tips for successful admissions parenting, Hunt …

1
Launching the Curiosity Lab with Ava D 36:48

1M ago36:48

36:48

In this episode, I’m thrilled to introduce something brand new — Curiosity Lab, a program designed to ignite the minds of 10–13-year-olds through real-world learning, led by inspiring high school mentors. Our very first teacher is Ava, a passionate and thoughtful high school student who’s teaching the first Curiosity Lab unit on public speaking. Av…

1
Good News/Bad News 49:37

2M ago49:37

49:37

College admission decisions for the high school class of 2025 have landed, and now it's time for seniors and their parents to assess those outcomes and move towards an enrollment decision by the National Candidate's Reply Date on May 1. Chris Gruber from Davidson College in North Carolina and college counselor Kate Ramsdell from Noble & Greenough S…

1
The Curiosity Window 25:18

2M ago25:18

25:18

What if your child’s future success—especially with college admissions—hinges on how curious they become before they even get there? In this episode, I break down the Curiosity Window, the critical developmental phase between ages 10 and 13, when your child’s brain is primed for identity formation, exploration, and deep learning. If curiosity is nu…

1
Inside the Admissions Committee: The "Gatekeepers" in Action 44:31

2M ago44:31

44:31

Twenty-five years after New York Times education reporter Jacques Steinberg, author of The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College, spent a year observing at close range the selection process at Wesleyan University, Steinberg joined admission officers at Dartmouth for a day inside its selection committee. After his "fly on t…

1
What to Do When Your Teen is Overwhelmed 28:23

2M ago28:23

28:23

If you’ve ever felt helpless watching your teen struggle with stress, you’re not alone. Many parents want to help but don’t know how to do it in a way that actually works. In this episode, we dive into why today’s teens feel more overwhelmed than ever, the common mistakes even well-meaning parents make, and how to shift your parenting approach to t…

1
Reading an Application: The Work of the Work 39:15

2M ago39:15

39:15

For any college admissions officer, reading and evaluating an application is the work of the work. It is the heart of the admissions process itself, its most essential task. Reading season is the moment when recruitment yields to selection, when assessing merit and potential becomes a blend of reflection and decision as each application is evaluate…

1
A Message to My Teenage Self About College Admissions 27:45

2M ago27:45

27:45

If I could sit down with my teenage self, I’d have a lot to say about college admissions—especially in today’s high-pressure environment. In this episode, I share the advice I wish someone had given me at 16, including the biggest misconceptions I had about the admissions process and what actually mattered in the long run. If you're feeling overwhe…

1
What Counts? 44:00

2M ago44:00

44:00

Many people ask, "What counts?" as they ponder the elements of "merit" in a college application. This week, two Ivy deans tackle this perennial query as Brown's Logan Powell joins AB host Lee Coffin from Dartmouth for a wide-ranging conversation about assessing merit and where it is discovered. They consider the numbers and the narrative--the quant…

1
Visualize Yourself in Your Dream College Today 14:51

2M ago14:51

14:51

What if you could see yourself, right now, as a student at your dream college? What if you could feel what it’s like to walk across campus, sit in a classroom, and engage with world-class professors and peers? In this special guided visualization, I’ll take you through an immersive experience where you’ll: ✅ Step into the shoes of your future self …

1
Junior Kickoff: It's Time to Discover! 48:26

2M ago48:26

48:26

Discovery is act one of every successful college search, and it should reveal as much about the searcher as about the places being explored. AB host and Dartmouth Dean Lee Coffin leads a “junior kickoff” deans panel that includes Elena Hicks from SMU and Karen Kristoff from Colorado College as well as college counselor Darryl Tiggle of Friends Scho…

1
Don't Chase Gold- Stand Out in College Admissions 15:40

2M ago15:40

15:40

Most students believe that getting into a top college means checking all the right boxes—perfect grades, leadership roles, and a long list of impressive achievements. But what if that’s actually the wrong approach? In this episode, I’ll reveal: ✅ The Gold Rush Mistake that keeps students stuck in the "Impressiveness Trap" ✅ The three levels of prep…

1
Build a Standout Application in 3 Steps 19:05

3M ago19:05

19:05

Most families assume that strong grades, leadership roles, and packed extracurriculars will guarantee college admissions success. But I explain why top schools aren’t just looking for impressive students—they’re looking for memorable students. In this episode, I’ll break down: ✅ The #1 mistake high-achieving students make in their applications ✅ Wh…

1
Getting Started: Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan 44:01

3M ago44:01

44:01

Season 7 of Admissions Beat gets underway at just the right time to give this year's high school juniors a preview of what's to come, as they look closely at themselves, survey the college landscape, and weigh options in higher education. Host Lee Coffin, Dartmouth’s dean of admissions and financial aid, and recurring co-host Jacques Steinberg, aut…

1
College App Roadmap Workshop day 2 (of 2) 1:23:56

4M ago1:23:56

1:23:56

We just completed our Holistic College Application Roadmap workshop. Enjoy our final day (day 2) here. To register for the Ivy League Challenge, go to TILC.to/register ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting wi…

1
College App Roadmap Workshop day 1 56:44

4M ago56:44

56:44

We just completed our Holistic College Application Roadmap workshop. Enjoy day 1 here. To register for the Ivy League Challenge, go to TILC.to/register ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here…

1
Holistic College App Roadmap Workshop 6:51

4M ago6:51

6:51

Announcing our upcoming workshop: the Holistic College Application Roadmap January 16-17th, 8:00 pm eastern time To register, go to TILC.to/CommonApp ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here…

1
Admissions Dean as Admissions Dad 33:05

5M ago33:05

33:05

In the Season Six finale, Trinity College's Matthew Hyde returns to AB to reflect on his own son’s college search this year. As a veteran admissions dean and a first-time admissions parent, Matt shares advice for his fellow parents on the lessons he has absorbed as his parenting collided with his day job in a very real—and sometimes emotional—way. …

1
Life in a Suburban Town 50:59

5M ago50:59

50:59

Suburban public high schools in America are home to a significant pool of applicants to most selective colleges. The admissions chatter in those classrooms, counseling offices, hallways, and social media channels can hum at a high frequency as guidance counselors do their best to advise students and parents alike. This week, a quartet of these scho…

1
Complete College Application Audit 9:52

5M ago9:52

9:52

Complete College Application Audit Limited Spots for this personal guidance Sign up at TILC.to/audit Expert Guidance: With years of experience helping students gain admission to selective universities, I know what works—and what doesn’t—in a competitive application. Personalized Support: Unlike generic programs, this service is tailored specificall…

1
“Please Pass the Potatoes…” and Other Thanksgiving Advice 39:11

5M ago39:11

39:11

Holidays bring people together, and Thanksgiving in the U.S. comes at a particularly challenging moment for high school seniors as they apply to college. Well-meaning friends and relatives might inquire about the status of a college search, or opine about those options, or render a forecast about someone’s chances of admissions. Any and all of it c…

1
The Language of Financial Aid 56:54

6M ago56:54

56:54

The language of financial aid brings new—and sometimes confusing—vocabulary for many families. Gail Holt, Amherst’s dean of financial aid, and Dino Koff, director of financial aid at Dartmouth, join AB host Lee Coffin for a lesson in how to interpret and translate this new language. “Let’s demystify the financial process,” Koff offers.…

1
History Lesson 45:20

6M ago45:20

45:20

Ever wondered how the elements of a college application came to be the elements of the college application? Today, essays, testing, recommendations, and interviews are fundamental ingredients of most selective admissions processes, but they were not always part of a college application as it evolved over the last 125 years. Dartmouth’s admissions d…

1
Imposter Syndrome, or Just Growth? 16:32

6M ago16:32

16:32

When you decide to grow, you set yourself up for challenging periods of awkwardness. You might feel like you are 'faking it' or that you don't belong, when really this is just the natural transition period when you grow. Listen to learn how to reframe your mindset when you face these challenging periods of growth. ----- To register for the Ivy Leag…

1
Exposing Top Private HS Matriculation Records 46:05

6M ago46:05

46:05

In this episode, we perform a case study analysis on acceptance and matriculation data from one of the top private high schools in the U.S. and a well-known Ivy League “feeder school.” We cover the following: Most Recent Year and 5-Year Ivy League Matriculations Ivy League Acceptance Data for “Unhooked” Students (i.e. non-legacy/donor, recruited at…

1
Charitable Assumptions 14:50

6M ago14:50

14:50

In times of deep conflict and polarization, we can easily become triggered. But when an event occurs, we all respond based on our assumptions coming into the event. What if we chose to become more charitable in our assumptions? I believe this approach helps us become more effective and influential change-makers. Not only is it a healthier, happier …

1
“I’ve Never Heard of It…” 54:47

6M ago54:47

54:47

“I’ve never of it is…” is a frequent reaction from students and parents as college options are introduced, but there is real opportunity when a student is open to options that aren't fully “known.” AB host Lee Coffin welcomes Clark University’s Emily Roper-Doten, Ben Baum from Saint John’s College in Annapolis and Sante Fe, and college counselor Ka…

1
Globe Trotting: College Options Outside Your Country 45:49

6M ago45:49

45:49

For students around the world, going to college in America has been a goal of many for decades. AB host LeeCoffin and his guest Robin Appleby—who led schools in London, The Hague and Dubai—ponder the opportunities of American higher education for an international audience of prospective applicants.Appleby encourages students to explore the “why?” o…

1
Stanford Application Review 5:41:13

7M ago5:41:13

5:41:13

In this deep dive episode, we analyze the profile and application of a current high school senior applying to Stanford. We pinpoint many critical strategic mistakes affecting the quality of the student’s presentation across both the Common Application and the Stanford supplements––errors that are very often committed by top academic students in gen…

1
Frosh Perspectives 1:08:16

7M ago1:08:16

1:08:16

AB host Lee Coffin probes the lessons learned by students and a parent from last year’s admissions process. He is joined by four first-year college students who reflect on their own admissions processes—and the lessons learned. Ashley Kim of Chandler, Arizona, Isabel Carleton of Columbus, Ohio, Romello McRae of Los Angeles, California, and Witold A…

1
“What’s Your Deal?” 32:03

7M ago32:03

32:03

In Part 2 of AB’s “advising all-stars” roundtable discussion from the annual meeting of the National Association for College Admission Counseling in Los Angeles, host Lee Coffin and recurring co-host Jacques Steinberg ponder the role (if any) of a student’s social media presence in the college admissions process. They also lead a lively discussion …

1
All-Star College Advising Team, Part I 39:37

7M ago39:37

39:37

What happens when 20 admissions folks gather in a meeting room at their annual conference in Los Angeles? They have lots to say! AB host Lee Coffin and his recurring co-host Jacques Steinberg convene an all-star cast of previous AB guests (and a few new voices) for a wide-ranging, two-part conversation about all things admissions. This week, they p…

1
Ace Your Alumni Interview 18:39

7M ago18:39

18:39

Your alumni interview may be the first interview you've ever been a part of that felt like a high-stakes interview. I hope you realize after listening to this podcast episode that this interview should not be stressful either. But listen in to learn how to make sure that you will be completely prepared for your interview. ----- To register for the …

1
“Help With My Vanderbilt Essay!” & Answering Other Student Qs 1:30:39

7M ago1:30:39

1:30:39

In this episode, we return to the popular online forum Reddit to answer college admissions questions from students across the country. In particular, we cover the following topics: Additional Information Section: Good or Bad? Including A Third Teacher or Supplementary Recommendation Early Action Plans That Prohibit Early Decision To Other Colleges …

1
The Essay: The Fine Art of Telling Your Story 56:54

7M ago56:54

56:54

As high school seniors take a deep breath, open a blank document, and begin to craft their college essays, Admission Beat host Lee Coffin empowers them to ask this question: “Who do I want the admission officer to meet?” Coffin and his guests offer words of advice on contemplating audience, the art of brevity, and framing “lived experiences” as add…

1
How to Demonstrate Leadership (training from the Global Impact Council) 46:45

7M ago46:45

46:45

If your high school is ultra competitive, and you don't want to step on the backs of your peers in order to land a leadership title, then this training is for you. There are many different ways to demonstrate leadership, and we discuss WHY colleges are very interested in non-traditional leaders-- not just the titles. ----- To register for the Ivy L…

1
Application Strategy With HS Senior 4:01:05

8M ago4:01:05

4:01:05

For the first time, we analyze the profile of a current HS senior targeting three top colleges: WashU, Vanderbilt, & Michigan. While this student possesses a strong academic foundation (perfect GPA in 15 APs, 34/36 ACT, ranked #1 in HS class), he significantly lacks the type of extracurricular profile, depth, and admissions “hook” that will differe…

1
Start Your Engines: Accelerating from Discovery to Application 52:34

8M ago52:34

52:34

With October on the near horizon, Admissions Beat host Lee Coffin encourages seniors to get in gear and begin thinking about the nuts and bolts of their applications. His guests, Jennifer Simons, Director of Bright Horizons College Coach, and Darryl Tiggle, Director of College Counseling at the Friends School of Baltimore, offer guidance on tacklin…

1
Maximize your SAT/ACT Score 16:53

8M ago16:53

16:53

Learn how the top test takers prepare to get such outstanding scores. If you genuinely follow this approach, you can raise your test score by a significant margin within only 3 months. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or sche…

1
Keep Calm and Carry On: A Prologue to the New Admissions Season 40:22

8M ago40:22

40:22

Kicking off Season Six of the Admissions Beat, host Lee Coffin of Dartmouth welcomes listeners back to school as another admissions cycle commences. Raising the curtain on the admissions process for high school juniors and seniors, as well as their parents and counselors, Coffin and his guests offer a sampler of “news you can use,” with tips on eve…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Dartmouth Admissions Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen