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Admissions Uncovered - College Admissions and Applications Explained

Admissions Uncovered - College Admissions and Applications Explained

By Admissions Uncovered

A Columbia University undergrad and his old teacher talk about college admissions: how students can craft the best college application, how teachers and administrators can help them, and how colleges can improve the system.
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Currently playing episode

Lessons from a Former Admissions Officer with Sean Cai

Admissions Uncovered - College Admissions and Applications Explained Aug 07, 2019

00:00
46:11
Behind the Application - Meeting our Seniors
Jul 18, 202023:46
College List Strategy
Jul 01, 202045:34
Why Do We Care About College Admissions

Why Do We Care About College Admissions

Gonzalez has a busy day job as an administrator and Michael never has to apply to college again. Why are they still so interested in the process? So much so that they do this podcast and are holding a college application boot camp. In this episode, Michael and Gonzalez the important stories in their lives that keep them so invested in the admissions process. For Gonzalez, his story begins with his own admissions process, where lack of information about financial aid kept him from going to Harvard University. For Michael, college admissions is an important time to break out of a cycle of "gold star chasing" he sees in so many of his classmates at Columbia.

Get Angela Duckworth's book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance, it has a great discussion of how colleges look at high school extracurriculars

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information.

Support us on Patreon

Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao

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Follow us on social media -

Twitter - @aupodfm

Facebook - @admissions.uncovered

Instagram - @admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Jun 18, 202043:45
George Floyd

George Floyd

This is a little different than our usual episodes. Today, I want to share three clips that really helped me think about what happened to George Floyd and what we should do now. The first clip is from Roxie Washington, the mother of George Floyd's child (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzd-TpZCCP4). Hearing the anger and the sadness in her voice... it's hard not to feel it as well. The second clip is from Trevor Noah, who gave a really clear analysis of what happened to George Floyd and the protests that followed. He has a very compelling response to people who divert the conversation to "looting" and I think his entire monologue is worth a listen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4amCfVbA_c). Finally, I was really affected by a clip from Baratunde Thurston - a Black comedian and writer - who had some great advice for what we, especially we non-Black folks, can do (https://megaphone.link/VMP3333920477).  

Donate here:

Memorial fund - https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

Local bail funds - http://bit.ly/localbailfunds

Great article for more of what you can do - https://www.thecut.com/article/george-floyd-protests-how-to-help-where-to-donate.html

Remember, if you donate, email or DM us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with your receipt. We will match the amount you give and you'll get a free hour of admissions counseling or test prep with Michael. 

Jun 03, 202026:56
How Does College Admissions Work?
May 19, 202000:39
Gap Year or Zoom University
May 19, 202035:53
Q and A with Michael and Gonzalez
May 05, 202056:34
Coronavirus and Your Applications

Coronavirus and Your Applications

Coronavirus is here and I'm sure everything is crazy. School is virtual, all your extracurriculars are cancelled, and you're stuck at home all the time! That being said, college admissions doesn't stop, so today Sean and I talk about how coronavirus affects your applications. In particular, we focus on how you can continue your extracurricular activities or start new ones.

Get Angela Duckworth's book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance, it has a great discussion of how colleges look at high school extracurriculars

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information.

Support us on Patreon

Get Personal Test Prep and Admissions Counseling from Host Michael Gao

---

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Apr 16, 202038:58
Extracurricular Strategy
Feb 18, 202053:11
Podcast Relaunch: Why College Admissions Sucks and How to Fix It

Podcast Relaunch: Why College Admissions Sucks and How to Fix It

We are re-launching the podcast with a new co-host: Don Gonzalez. You've heard from Gonzalez on a previous episode on teacher recommendation letters previous episode. Now, he'll be bringing his perspective as a veteran teacher and administrator to the podcast. This way, we hope to talk about the college application process with a broader perspective. In the episode, we talk about what we hope to talk about in future episodes: how the college admissions process is unfair, how public high schools often fail students, and how to fix it.

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information -  https://admissionsuncovered.com/2961

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Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Jan 27, 202041:06
Handling Deferrals from Early Decision
Dec 27, 201938:32
How to ask teachers for Letters of Recommendation - From teachers themselves

How to ask teachers for Letters of Recommendation - From teachers themselves

This short episode, Sean interviews high school teachers about approaching teachers for letters of rec and the writing process.  We also dispel some of the myths associated with letters of rec, and advise how underclassmen could build relationships with these teachers leading up to the letters of recommendation.

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information -

bit.ly/aupod66

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Dec 10, 201915:52
Chance Me Profile Reviews with Admissions Counselor u/ScholarGrade, Part Two
Oct 20, 201923:24
Chance Me Profile Reviews with Admissions Counselor u/ScholarGrade
Oct 10, 201940:11
AdmissionsMom: Mindful College Admissions, Her Book, Her App, and More
Oct 01, 201901:01:08
College Essay Writing and Common Mistakes with Sean and Michael
Sep 12, 201943:16
Entrepreneurship in High School and College Applications with Teland of the Major Jobs Podcast

Entrepreneurship in High School and College Applications with Teland of the Major Jobs Podcast

This week, I talk with Teland from the Major Jobs Podcast. As a fellow podcaster, we talk a little bit about how we both got started and why we do it. Then, we talk about what it's like to do podcasting as a student: Teland as a high school student and me as a college student. Finally, we discuss Teland's plans to leverage the podcast on his college admissions. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod61

Follow us on social media -

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast -

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Aug 28, 201934:47
Real Talk on Standardized Test and Test Prep with Kathryn Zheng
Aug 21, 201940:18
Lessons from a Former Admissions Officer with Sean Cai
Aug 07, 201946:11
If You Want To Be Different: Non-Traditional Colleges with Stanford Freshman Ashley Chen
Jul 20, 201941:59
Finding a Home and a College with Carolyne G.
Jul 13, 201929:52
Computerized Admissions Officers: UT Austin's Wacky Admissions System with Jeffrey Wang
Jul 05, 201901:14:08
Applying to Hogwarts/Schools in the UK with Ethan Summers
Jun 28, 201936:59
Stressing Out and the Harvard Lawsuit with Swathi
Jun 20, 201930:31
Montana to Maine: Alexandra Lin's College Admissions Journey
Jun 13, 201946:45
Avocados, Fortunetellers, and College Essays with Yu-Chia Cheng
Jun 06, 201938:46
Good Things and New Starts
May 30, 201951:59
Stanford Accepted Student Interview with Vinh Huy: Learn How To Perfect Your College Application
May 24, 201953:14
Do AP Tests Even Matter?

Do AP Tests Even Matter?

It's AP season. While you're busy reading your Barron's study guide, get motivated (or not) by listening to this week's podcast about whether what you're doing actually matters. On this episode, we draw out the true value of AP tests. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod49

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

May 09, 201936:55
Homeschool Interview feat. William
May 03, 201943:00
Admissions Friend Zone: The Wait List
Apr 25, 201945:32
The Communist Monsterfesto: Monster's University
Apr 18, 201955:35
Picking Your College and Your Home
Apr 13, 201946:52
Talking Columbia University with Steve Schwartz

Talking Columbia University with Steve Schwartz

To give Dominic and Nhi a much needed break, I (Michael) recorded a podcast with our friend Steve Schwartz from the College Admissions Toolbox. Check his work out at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/college-admissions-toolbox-podcast-college-applications/id1016715810?mt=2. Because Steve is an alumnus of Columbia College, we compare and contrast our experiences at Columbia. A lot has changed, but a lot hasn't too.  We find out how Columbia has shaped Steve and his career post-college and spill some tea about the Columbia-Barnard relationship. 

Check out the show notes for links to more helpful information - http://bit.ly/aupod44

Follow us on social media - 

Twitter - twitter.com/aupodfm

Facebook - facebook.com/admissions.uncovered 

Instagram - instagram.com/admissions.uncovered

Subscribe to the podcast - 

iTunes/Apple devices - bit.ly/aupodapple

Android devices - bit.ly/aupoddroid

Apr 04, 201935:58
Pre-Gaming Ivy Day
Mar 28, 201948:24
The Authenticity Trap: Faking Your Way In
Mar 21, 201932:51
Scandal: Bribing College Admissions Counselors
Mar 15, 201937:01
Strategy for Senior Summer: How to Get Ahead of the Game
Mar 08, 201934:01
Save Your SAT Score: Test Taking Strategies
Feb 28, 201938:41
Building the Right College List
Feb 23, 201947:28
Your Life Story: Building a Narrative for College and Beyond
Feb 14, 201939:51
The Ultimate Guide to Internships
Feb 08, 201944:04
Senior Spring: Freedom, How We Have Missed You!
Jan 31, 201942:44
Most Common Interview Questions
Jan 22, 201951:25
Reflecting on the College Application Process
Jan 13, 201944:21
Beating the Deferral: How to Get Accepted After Being Deferred
Dec 29, 201831:45
It’s Not You, It’s Me: Writing Why College Supplements
Dec 24, 201837:54
Keep Fighting: Early Decisions Out
Dec 15, 201813:56
Johns Hopkins Released Essays Part 2
Dec 09, 201833:25
Johns Hopkins Released Essays Part 1
Nov 29, 201829:22