Mark Kantrowitz, financial aid expert, president of MK Consulting Inc. and publisher of the FinAid and FastWeb web sites joins Elsa and Vince in a discussion of the what and how of scholarships as well as college financial aid -- present and future. For more information go to finaid and fastweb.

Matthew Ward, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing at California Lutheran University joins Vince and Elsa in a discussion about the college admission process as it applies to current secondary school senior applicants (what's going on in the admissions offices) as well as some innovative CLU programs, ...including the "Private Education, Public Price" scholarship. To find out more about this scholarship as well as CLU, go to callutheran

Kyle Stockburger, an MFA acting student at Cal Arts, joins Vince and Elsa in the studio today. He will be discussing both his undergraduate experience as an actor at CU, Boulder and the audition application process for MFA acting programs.
Kyle is originally from the Denver metro area. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. There his acting credits include Jason in Medea, Pa in the Grapes of Wrath, and Clitandre in The Learned Ladies. Following his graduation from Boulder, Kyle participated in the BUNAC: Work in Britain program, living in London, England for six months.
He is currently a first year MFA Candidate in the Acting program at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California.

Matthew Greene, co-author of the Greene's Guides to Education Planning series, The Hidden Ivies, the Public Ivies and more joins Chris and Elsa in a discussion of his books as they relate to the college search and application experience. Learn the definition of the various "ivies" as defined by the family Greene and how they can all be combined to make an effective and diverse list of college choices. To find out more about Howard Greene and Associates, an educational consulting company, as well as all of the publications authored by Matt and his dad, Howard Greene, go to greenesguides

Jon Rider, Director of College Counseling at San Francisco University High School and co-author (along with Sally Springer and Marion Franck) of "Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College" joined Vince and Chris to discuss this very informative and practical book. It ...has garnered rave review: "Admission Matters is really three books," one reviewer writes. "The first contains a wealth of information on how to choose "good fit" colleges. The second offers a behind the scenes understanding of what happens in the admissions office, and the third provides a no-gimmick approach to preparing a strong application."
(Check Amazon for additional comments.) Listen to the show, then buy the book, it will answer all your questions (and then some) about the admission process...

Marc Meredith, Dean of Admissions and Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at Otis College of Art and Design, joins Elsa and Chris in a discussion of fashion design programs. What's best for you? A fashion institute? An art college with a fashion program? A program embedded within a comprehensive college? What exactly is a fashion design program? And more. Join us for a comprehensive review of the educational foundation behind the glamour. Be sure to view Marc's blog and previous Otis fashion show pics at otis

Caryl Kristensen, a founding member of the MYCOLLEGEi.com team, joins Vince and Elsa in studio to discuss this new and free option for students. A cutting-edge, user-friendly platform currently in its beta stage, MYCOLLGEi.com is a vehicle for domestic and international students to use who want to add another dimension to their undergraduate and graduate school applications. MYCOLLEGEi.com allows applicants to build an on-line interview profile that can be viewed by the colleges and universities to which they are applying. Be sure to check the site for additional information: MYCOLLEGEi.com.

Larry Griffith Jr., Vice President for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, joins Vince in a discussion of the program -- the what and how of applying, its history and sponsors. Originally created via a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it supports and encourages students to complete college and earn a bachelor, master and/or doctoral degree in disciplines in which their ethnic or racial group is underrepresented, such as (but not limited to) education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and science.

To find out more about this scholarship program please go to: gmsp
Applications are being accepted now through January 11, 2010.

Peter Jennings, currently on sabbatical from his work as a college counselor at Concord Academy this year, has joined the Tufts Admissions Office as Counselor-in-Residence and Admissions Officer. Well experienced on "both sides of the desk", he joins Vince and Elsa in a discussion of the college admissions interview and other items of interest and concern for students and their families during the college admissions process. Peter is blogging his way through this experience on collegecounselingforcounselors. Be sure to access his wise and witty comments. You will not be disappointed.

Dr. Jon Reider, Director of College Counseling at San Francisco University High School, former Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Stanford University and member of the Board of Advisors for a new college prep service called iAdmissions, an online college advising service which focuses on strengthening students' college essays, joins Elsa and Chris in a discussion of iAdmissions covering its online resources, services and mission. For additional information about iAdmissions, please go to iadmissions.

Don Dunbar, co-author of "What You Don't Know Can Keep You Out of
College: A Top Consultant Explains the 13 Fatal Application Mistakes and Why Character Is the Key to College Admissions" joins Elsa and Vince in a discussion of the issues and recommendations which may affect a college application.

Mr. Dunbar founded Dunbar Educational Consultants in 1984. His career in education spans more than 30 years, having served as teacher, chaplain, coach, guidance counselor and admissions consultant at a number of schools, including St. Paul's School in New Hampshire, Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, Brent School in the Philippines, the Weston, Massachusetts public schools and Phillips Academy, Andover in Massachusetts.

You can find out more about Dunbar Education Consultants and "What You Don't Know Can Keep You Out of College at dunbarconsultants.com

Mark Rasic, Associate Director of Admission, University of Southern California, joins Elsa and Vince in a discussion on the college essay/personal statement - its purpose, how to prepare for and write an appropriate essay, its import in the college admission process, and how it's read by college admissions personnel.

Jake Neuberg, co-founder of Revolution Prep, a test prep company "that put the needs of its students over its bottom line" joins Elsa and Vince in a discussion of the test prep industry, how to pick the most appropriate prep program for a student, and how and why to choose between the SAT and ACT for college admissions consideration. For further information about Revolution Prep, visit revolutionprep.com.

Shawn Abbott, Director of Admission from Stanford University joins Elsa And Vince Garcia, Scholar Relations and Selections Program Director, Point Foundation, in a discussion of Stanford's restricted early action program and how it compares to other early decision and early action options, SAT score reporting based on recent College Board score choice options and other Stanford and highly selective university issues. 

Abrina Schnurman-Crook, Executive Director and Jill Hufnagel, Assistant Director of the Batten Leadership Institute, based at Hollins University in Virginia join Elsa in a discussion of this outstanding program -- what is leadership education and how a certificate program available to all students at Hollins can change and enrich lives and perspectives regardless of major. This is what leadership is all about! Learn about the University and one if its very unique programs. For additional information about the Batten Leadership Institute and Hollins University be sure to visit www.hollins.edu.

Katy Murphy, President-Elect of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling and Director of College Counseling at Bellarmine Preparatory School in California, joins Elsa in a discussion of the coming year for secondary school seniors, freshmen in college and other timely issues. 

Bob Massa, recently retired Vice President for Enrollment Management at Dickinson Colleges joins Elsa and Chris for a very informative discussion on the role and effectiveness of enrollment management within the admissions profession - from it's creation to current application. Bob spent over thirty years developing a very successful model. He shares his insights and experiences just as he is moving on to a new position, title and opportunities as Vice President for Communications at Lafayette College. 

Diana Fuentes-Michel, Executive Director, California Student Aid Commission joins Elsa and Chris in a discussion of governor Schwartzenegger's current budget proposal to abolish the Cal Grant program as well as the California Student Aid Commission, and how these actions can and will affect access to higher education in the state.

All current information regarding the Cal Grant program can be accessed on the California Student Aid Commission website at www.csac.ca.gov. If you are an incoming freshman who has been awarded a Cal Grant for fall, 2009, please check with your college's financial aid office as well as the CSAC site for current directives.

Barmak Nassirian, Associate Executive Director for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) joins Elsa in a review and discussion of President Obama's 2010 budget and how it affects education. The discussion focuses primarily on changes in the Pell Grant program, direct lending vs. the Federal Family Ed Loans (FFEL), the Perkins Loan program and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is a very informative discussion designed to benefit parents, students and professionals alike. Join us!

Ted O’Neil, Dean of Admission at the University of Chicago, speaks with Elsa and Chris about his institution and college admission.

Dr. Linda Sax joins Elsa and Chris in the studio to speak about gender differences in college.  

Adult Education is the topic if discussion for this show.  Dr. Steve Lesniak, Dean at the University of La Verne, joins Elsa and Chris is the studio to explain educational opportunities for adults.

Elsa and Chris speak about a variety of topics including, what the Dean does on a recruiting trip to Hawai’i, what students should do during the summer to prepare for going away to college, the college search and the importance of the Advanced Placement (AP) programs.

Lori Getz, founder of Cyber Education Consultants joins Elsa (Chris was in Hawaii) in a discussion on the role social networking plays in college admissions and retention as well as how these sites can affect students in general - in every area of their lives. She pays particular attention to the parents’ role in raising their children in this technological age. Lori's own words speak for themselves: "I only post pictures I wouldn't mind having on the front of a newspaper." Hmmm..... It’s an eye opening discussion.

Lori holds a Masters in Educational Technology and is certified by isafe.org. She presents a full cyber education curriculum to schools ranging in ages from grades K through 12. She also provides adult education. For further information on Lori and her program, visit her CEC site.

Elsa and Chris speak on a variety of topics including the importance of the May 1 deadline, deferring college admission and what high school sophomores and juniors should be doing to prepare for college.

Amy Johnson from the University of Southern California’s Student Affairs department speaks about campus life, making the transition to college, orientation, housing, international students and more!

California Institute of Technology Director of Admission Richard Bischoff speaks about his unique institution, including information on admission, financial aid, housing, academic programs, and their famous pranks.

Brian O’Reilly from the College Board speaks about the SAT.  History, test time, question development and scoring is discussed.

Elsa and Chris have a conversation about financial aid, consultants, admission procedures, being accepted, denials, admission appeals and the May 1st deposit deadline.

Financial Aid is discussed with Barry Simmons, Director of University Scholarships and Financial Aid at Virginia Tech and Chair-elect for the National Association for Student Financial Aid Advisors.

Vince Garcia from the Point Foundation joins Elsa for a discussion about his organizations scholarship for students marginalized by sexual orientation.

Jane McClure continues the conversation about student who are diagnosed as LD/ADHD.  She discusses the college admission process for these students and what to expect during the application process.

Joyce Luy, Dean of Admission at Westmont College discusses Christian college education and Kris Zavoli, Senior Director at the College Board speaks about new initiatives in higher education.

Dr Esther Hugo, Outreach Coordinator, Santa Monica College, speaks about the benefits of the California Community College system and the many options available to students from around the world.

NCAA Division III Athletics and Admission is discussed with Tony Bankston, Admission Officer and Christina Rodriguez, Student Athlete from Illinois Wesleyan University.

James Blackburn from the California State University Chancellor's Office and
Sue Wilbur from the University of California's Office of the President discuss
admission requirements, application procedures and their respective 4 year
higher education systems.

Dr. Wendy Mogel discusses the role of parents in the college admission process and her book title “The Blessings of a B-“.

Chris and Elsa speak with Bob Massa, Vice President of Enrollment at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania.  Topics include applying to highly selective colleges, the SAT and college rankings.

Ed Schoenberg, Otis College of Art & Design, and Kavin Buck, UCLA School of Art and Architecture, discuss their book on applying to colleges of visual and performing arts.

Elsa and Chris speak with Bob Laird, former UC Berkeley Director of Admission about his book titled "The Case for Affirmative Action in University Admissions."

College Admission Roundtable with Sue DeRuyter, Western Regional Director for Northeastern University in Boston, MA, Alice Cotti, Director of College Counseling at Polytechnic High School in Pasadena, CA and  Barbara Dickerson, Director of California Initiatives for Arizona State University.  Topics include early action/early decision, what students should do to find the right college and the letter of recommendation.

Katharine Harrington, the University of Southern California's Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, joins Elsa and Chris for the full hour answering questions about USC, admission, academic programming and financial aid.

Dr Frieda Lee, Director of Student Outreach Programs at San Francisco State University and Michael Hughes, Assistant Dean and Director of Admission at the University of San Francisco, discuss college admission issues including finding the right college, applying to college, visiting campus and others items that prospective students and their families need to know.