Application to Admission

Episode 70 - A Conversation with Dr. William R. Brody President emeritus of Johns Hopkins University about ⁠Uncommon Sense

In this powerful episode of Applicaiton to Admission,we sit down with Dr. William R. Brody physician-scientist, entrepreneur, president emeritus of Johns Hopkins University, and coauthor alongside Mike Field of Uncommon Sense: Rethinking Ordinary Problems in Extraordinary Ways [https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/54297/uncommon-sense?srsltid=AfmBOoqDFE2ygRV2Dk16m1Zuy-RhuR_0r8POn5OM14BAJz_i9UfbLvtn].Drawing from decades of experience in medicine, leadership, business, and higher education, Dr. Brody explores the uncomfortable but important truth that academic success alone does not prepare students for the complexity of reallife. Born from his seminar for graduating Johns Hopkins seniors, Uncommon Sense [https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/54297/uncommon-sense?srsltid=AfmBOoqDFE2ygRV2Dk16m1Zuy-RhuR_0r8POn5OM14BAJz_i9UfbLvtn]examines what students and families truly need beyond grades and credentials: judgment, adaptability, curiosity, ethical clarity, and the ability to recognize opportunity. In this conversation, we discuss why intelligence is only one part of success, why career planning can sometimes be misleading, and why wise decision-making matters so much in a world without easy answers. Forfamilies navigating the college admission process, this episode is a timely reminder that getting in is not the same as being prepared, and that true success is bigger than prestige. Along the way, we also hear the story of a remarkable leader inspired by visionary leadership at organizations like Bose and Lockheed Martin, while highlighting the greatness of institutions that are too often overlooked, including PurdueUniversity, University of Rhode Island, Ball State University, City College of New York, Grinnell College, and many others.  We hope you enjoy this thoughtful and inspiring conversation and leave reminded that leadership, growth, and success are often built in places and through experiences that the world does not always celebrate loudly enough.

Episode 69 - Financial Fit: Beyond Sticker Price

What if the most important college decision isn’t the campus you pick, but whether the price you pay sets your student up for success? In this practical, must-listen episode of Application to Admission, Shereem Herndon-Brown and Timothy L. Fields sit down with Miranda McCall, Associate Vice Provost & Director Financial Support, Duke University and national financial aid expert. Miranda whose own college access story drives her work walks listeners through how to read aid offers, distinguish sticker price from true out‑of‑pocket cost, and spot the hidden expenses that derail even well-intentioned plans. Key topics: * Build cost vs. net price: turn aid letters into real out‑of‑pocket comparisons * Hidden costs, outside scholarships, and multi‑year aid expectations * Loan guidance: federal student loan limits, Parent PLUS basics, private lenders, and why to avoid income‑share agreements * FAFSA vs. CSS Profile: when each matters and how to complete them * Practical advice for single‑parent households, business owners, and students on waitlists Miranda reframes financial fit as a long‑term decision—one that affects academic choices, career flexibility, and family wellbeing. Essential listening for families, counselors, and students deciding where “yes” will truly lead. 🎧 Tune in for clear, actionable steps to prioritize price over prestige and protect your family’s financial future.

Episode 68- Accepted? Denied? Waitlisted?!! Now What?!!

Check out this special edition of the Application Admission podcast as we break down what to do next after your admissions decision.  Whether you’ve been admitted, waitlisted, or denied, we’ll walk you through your nextsteps. Tune in to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Episode 67 - Pain Points, Belonging, and the Hidden Curriculum of College Success with Dr. Veronica Carey

What if the most significant threats to college success aren’t academic at all, but emotional, cultural, and psychological? In this timely and deeply insightful episode of Application to Admission, we are joined by Dr. Veronica Carey, Assistant Dean for Culture, Climate, and Belonging at Drexel University, scholar, international lecturer, and author of FrameYour Degree: How to Avoid Pain while Seeking a College Degree. Drawing on more than two decades of work in higher education and student development, Dr. Carey offers a rare, research-driven look at the unseen challenges that shape students’ college trajectories long before grades,majors, or career outcomes are decided. At the center of the conversation is Dr. Carey’s 10 Universal Academic Pain Points framework, a powerful lens for understanding why capable students oftenstruggle academically, emotionally, or socially, even at institutions that appear supportive on the surface. These pain points, which include imposter syndrome, mental health strain, boundary-setting, and self-advocacy, emerge notas personal failures, but as predictable moments where institutions, families, and students often lack shared language or preparation. This episode invites parents, counselors, and educators to think differently about college readiness. Rather than asking only whether a student can get into college, Dr. Carey challenges us to ask whether students are prepared to remain well, to belong, and to navigate the hidden curriculum of higher education once they arrive. With insights shaped by global teaching experiences, institutional leadership, and her widely viewed TEDx talk, “Pain, Pain Go Away!”, Dr. Carey reframes student struggle as data, not deficiency, and offers a more humane, strategic vision of what it means to support students before and during college. 🎧 This episode is essential listening for anyone invested in student success, mental health, and the long-term impact of higher education on young people and their families.

Episode 66 - Admit, Deferred, Denied? What to do Next....

In this episode, we will focus on how parents can effectively support their students during this challenging and sometimes overwhelming period, especially between Early Decision results and Regular Decision deadlines. We’ll delve into key areas such as: 1. Celebrating Wins: It's important to recognize and celebrate any acceptances, even if they aren't the "dream" schools. 2. Navigating Deferrals and Denials: We’ll discuss what it means if your child is deferred or denied and the steps to take next, including reassessing applications and lists. 3. Setting Healthy Boundaries: With the holidays come questions from family and friends about college applications. We’ll share tips on how to manage those conversations and protect your child's mental health. 4. Reassessing Fit: Understanding what constitutes a good fit for your child, including considering cost, location, majors, and overall environment. 5. Managing Deadlines: We’ll emphasize the importance of staying organized and meeting all application deadlines while navigating these changes. 6. Updating Applications: Learn about the opportunities to enhance applications with updated information, essays, and activities. Remember, the goal is to keep students and their well-being at the center of this process. Tune in as we empower your family with the insights needed to navigate the world of college admissions successfully!