Choosing a Major, Ivy League Athletics, and Loan Repayment Plans

On this week’s episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, host Ian Fisher unpacks how to think about your college major, athletic recruitment at highly-selective institutions, and income-driven student loan repayment plans. How to Choose a College Major Are you stressed that you (or your child) have no clue what to study in college? Or are you worried about whether your specific major will land you a lucrative career upon graduation? Former MIT and Caltech admissions officer Zaragoza Guerra joins Ian for a high-level overview about what a major is, and perhaps more importantly, what it is not. Zaragoza reminds listeners that just over a quarter of workers have a career that is directly related to their undergraduate major. So does that mean that most of us aren’t doing a thing with our expensive college major? Not necessarily! Tune in to understand how the major you select might impact your application, your college experience, and ultimately, your future career. Playing in the Ivy League Next, former Yale admissions officer Amy Alexander joins Ian to cover the athletic recruitment process in the Ivy League. Amy (a college athlete herself) stresses the importance of starting early in your high school career if you are planning on playing at the college level. But how will you know if you’re recruitable, or at least on that trajectory? Is it appropriate to contact college coaches, and what information are they expecting? Amy reminds listeners that, in the Ivy League, academics always come first in athletic recruitment. Tune in to hear her report on the “academic index” and how it may affect the athletic recruitment process. Income-Driven Repayment Plans In the final segment, financial aid expert Shannon Vasconcelos sheds light on income-driven student loan repayment plan options. This type of plan is a way for those with a low income and high debt to repay their loans with lower monthly payments for a period of time. In addition, getting on an income-driven plan may eventually open up the possibility of having your loan balance forgiven. If you have never heard of this option or unsure if these plans apply to you, this segment is a great place to start! On next week’s episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, we will cover the pros and cons of homeschooling, discuss how to finish your senior year strong after submitting your college deposit, and provide an update on the New York state free tuition Excelsior Scholarship Program.