college admission process

#088 – Today, we explore the admission criteria at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT. We begin by analyzing admission information about the most recent freshman class, highlighting the admission rate, standardized test scores, and other academic and non-academic factors considered by MIT Admission Officers as they offer or deny admission to students every year. This episode centers on the one component of the application that is the most important to MIT. Regardless of academic prowess, if that component is not evident in a student’s application, admission to MIT is not given. The information you will learn on this episode will be very important to you because you will be able to utilize it as you apply to the different colleges and universities on your list. At the beginning of the episode, I reminisce about the reasons why The College Metropolis Podcast was created, and ask our listeners to help us grow and reach a wider audience. You can access the resources mentioned on this episode on our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/88. Please help our show grow by giving us a 5-star rating and giving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. We would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

#085 - This is the third episode in a series that deals with some of the most common misconceptions about college admissions. On the previous two episodes we talked about the fallacy of the “Best-College Rankings” and what research shows is the connection between the level of selectivity of a college or university and the quality of education students receive in those institutions. Spoiler alert, there is no connection! On this episode, we conclude with a presentation of what different types of research show is the one characteristic that all the schools that have allowed students to enjoy the best outcomes is, namely, engagement. I had an opportunity to reminisce about three professors in my college career who were very engaging and played a very important role in the person and the professional I became. They are, Dr. Nabil Razzouk, Dr. Florence Pollard, and Dr. Krone, whose name escaped me during the recording of the episode. Schools that allow for students to connect with professors and the school in meaningful ways, provide students with the best opportunity to succeed. Jankel presents six ways in which engagement happens. We also talk about the importance of engagement as students create a group of questions to ask as they attempt to create a list of colleges to which they will apply. In all, this episode cites 13 different research articles and books written on this subject. You can easily access every resource we mention on this episode by visiting our episode webpage at https://collegemetropolis.com/85. Please help us reach other parents and high school students who may need the information we provide, by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. We would be very appreciative and grateful to you for that bit of support. Thank you!

#080 – On this episode, Jankel and I present a very important person in the college admission aspirations of high school students, the high school college counselor. We discuss the enormous workloads that are placed on the desks of counselors, who on the average are assigned with guiding 500 students through their college admission process. In some states, high school college counselors are assigned as many as 1,200 students. Considering the huge time and resource limitations in which counselors have to carry out their duties, we provide advice for high school students to follow to create the best working relationship with their counselors. Additionally, we go over 15 questions that all high school students should ask their high school college counselors, regardless of their grade level. These questions are designed to ensure that students achieve a successful college preparation and are able to meet or exceed the admission requirements of the colleges and universities to which they want to apply. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/80.  Please help our efforts by giving our show 5 stars and by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download this episode. Your review will ensure that we reach more high school students and parents who need the information we share each week. Thank you!

#078 – Today, we dissect a part of the college admission process that many applicants find very challenging, the college interview. Jankel and I dive into the details of the interview, which for some schools is a required portion of the application, while for others it is optional or not considered at all. We begin the episode by tracing the steps you will take beginning the senior year of high school. These steps include turning your college applications and scheduling your college interviews where they are required or made optional. We present important facts about your college interviews, and what you can do to find out whether or not the schools you will be applying to will require an interview. Additionally, we will go over some of the questions you may be asked. The questions we present are some of the questions you should expect to be asked. This is by no means an episode that presents all the questions you may be asked, but rather, it gives you a great idea of what to expect on your interview, how to prepare for it, and what to do after each interview. We also present two very important sets of information you should have ready with you. One is to be used throughout the interview, and the other at the end of the interview. By the time you get to the end of this episode, you will understand the purpose of college interviews, know how important they really are to your chances for admission, have a plan to prepare to do great in them, and know how to stand out by having a good follow-up response after each interview. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/78.  Please help us reach more high school students and parents by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. We will truly appreciate it. Thank you!

#001 – On this episode, we uncover the scientific reason why some teens are unable to apply skills necessary to the college admission process, such as being able to plan ahead, problem-solve, apply good judgement, and being self-aware. These inabilities jeopardize chances of gaining admission into the more selective colleges and universities. There is a role parents play in ensuring their teens stay on track and maximize their chances for admission. This discussion is based on the following research study on brain development published on the Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews Journal: “Brain Development in Children and Adolescents: Insights from Anatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” Dr. Umeh, talks to us about the anxiety teens feel when they are getting ready to transition to college life. We talk about the role that three different types of expectations plan in the minds of teens, and what all teens want from their parents. What is it? I will give you a hint. It is free and always available. Parents who are able to figure it out foster closer relationships with their kids. We hope you enjoy this important episode as we have, and that you envision the best way to guide and support your kid as he or she goes through the college admission process.  Don't forget to join our family by clicking on the "Subscribe" button! To access links related to Dr. Umeh, and other important content mentioned on this episode, please head to our show notes at https://www.collegemetropolis.com/1. You can help our podcast reach a wider audience by leaving us a 5-star rating and giving us a very positive review. Thank you!