College Admissions Consulting Choosing College Courses, SAT Subject Tests, and Financial Aid at the Ivies Written by Lauren Randleon July 25th, 2018 I learned firsthand about the world of highly selective admissions as a former assistant director of admissions at Georgetown University. I traveled the United States, in and out of high schools and auditoriums, to eagerly educate students and their families about the application process, and then painstakingly reviewed thousands upon thousands of applications to fill our class. I reviewed applications for all four of Georgetown’s colleges (Georgetown College, McDonough School of Business, Walsh School of Foreign Service, and School of Nursing & Health Studies), and chaired the admissions committee for the School of Foreign Service. I experienced the nuances of the recruitment process as the admissions liaison to the Georgetown women’s soccer team, and also understood the significance of the admissions interview as the co-coordinator for Georgetown’s alumni interviewing process. I left admissions to pursue a master of education degree at the University of Virginia to broaden my knowledge of student development theories and current trends in higher education. There I decided that it was time to work more directly with students and families at the high school level, where my support and encouragement would have a more personal impact. That desire led me across the globe to Hong Kong, where I worked at a competitive international high school helping students with their college applications to the world's best universities. My international experience offered me the opportunity to work with extraordinary students and see extraordinary places. Learn More About Lauren financial aid, getting in, ivy league, sat, On the latest episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, host Sally Ganga unpacks how to pick courses for your first semester of college, everything you need to know about SAT Subject Tests, and financial aid at the Ivies. How to Choose College Courses While it might feel like your dorm room packing list is currently your most pressing issue, have you decided on what courses you will take for your first semester in college? There may be literally hundreds of course options to consider, so how do you choose?! Former admissions officer and new member of the College Coach team, Joy Biscornét, joins Sally for a high-level overview about what a first year college student should take into account when making their course schedule. If you’re undecided on your major, should you just take whatever sounds interesting? Who on campus can help you make these decisions? Before you pack up and ship off to college, tune in for insight on choosing courses. What are SAT Subject Tests? Former Barnard admissions officer Mary Sue Youn joins Sally for an Office Hours segment on SAT Subject Tests. If you have never even heard of these tests before, this segment is for you! Mary Sue and Sally discuss the “who, what, where, when, and why” of these exams: who should take them, what are they, where they really matter in the application process, when a student should take them, and why you may want to have them on your radar long before you apply as a senior. Financial Aid at Ivy League Colleges In the final segment, financial aid expert Laurie Peltier sheds light on how financial aid works at Ivy League colleges. If the sticker price is shocking you out of applying (not to mention than the single-digit acceptance rates!), you may be passing up an unbelievable bargain. But who qualifies for aid at the Ivies, and how is it calculated? Do other selective colleges have similar financial aid policies? After listening to this segment, it’s obvious that the Ivy League colleges really are in a league of their own! On our next episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, we will cover study abroad programs you take in your first year of college, and we will answer many listener questions! Related Resources Read | Posted on April 16th, 2024 Understanding Direct Admission: A Pathway to Success Read | Posted on April 10th, 2024 Acceptance by Emi Nietfeld; Why You Should Fill out the FAFSA Read | Posted on April 9th, 2024 Community Colleges with Campus Housing
