Episode notes
Host Sally Ganga kicks off this episode with members of the Bright Horizons College Coach High School Planning Team — Lauren Randle, Caroline Damon, and Robin Khadduri —for a conversation focused on how students and families can make the most of the middle school years . They discuss how to strike the right balance between early preparation for potentially competitive college paths and avoiding unnecessary pressure too soon. The team emphasizes an important takeaway: what students do in middle school has little direct impact on college admissions , making this an ideal time for exploration,…
Podcast
Getting In: A College Coach Conversation
Bright Horizons College Coach · Kids & Family · English
Planning for college? Tune into Getting In: A College Coach Conversation to learn what colleges are really looking for and how to highlight your hard-won achievements for the best chance at success. Every week, we gather former admissions and financial aid officers as well as other expert guests fo
More from Getting In: A College Coach Conversation All episodes →
-
9 Jul 2026 · 53 min
Changes to Student Loan Repayments
Host Ian Fisher welcomes listeners for an episode featuring two familiar faces and one new voice. In the first segment, Ian continues the "Meet an Educator" series with College Coach Stacey Badger . Stacey reflects on her career in admission at the University of Southern California , where she worked with applicants across multiple academic divisions, including both Viterbi Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences . She shares insights into how applications are reviewed for different academic programs, what students often misunderstand about the admission process,…
-
2 Jul 2026 · 51 min
Rollins College: "Won't You Be Their Neighbor?"
Host Sally Ganga continues our "Deep Dive" series with a closer look at Rollins College , a private liberal arts institution located in Winter Park, Florida , just outside Orlando. With approximately 3,000 undergraduate students , Rollins combines the personalized attention of a small college with the opportunities and resources of a vibrant metropolitan area. Sally is joined by Dr. Faye Tydlaska , Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing; Dr. Anne Stone , Interim Associate Dean, Cornell Chair of Social Impact, and Professor of Communications; Joseph Pool '26 , a P ublic Policy and…
-
25 Jun 2026 · 53 min
How to Become a CEO
Host Kyra Tyler celebrates the 40th anniversary of Bright Horizons with an in-depth conversation with CEO Stephen Kramer and a look back at the company's remarkable journey. In the first segment, Kyra continues the "Becoming" series with How to Become a CEO , sitting down with Stephen to trace his path from student to leader. He reflects on what he was like growing up and during his college search, including his focus on strong business programs and the early connection he made with a future business partner. Stephen also shares what life looked like immediately after graduation (including…
-
18 Jun 2026 · 51 min
Can I Reuse Essays For My College Applications?
Shannon Vasconcelos takes the mic for her final episode as host . Don't worry though, she'll be back as a guest at some point! In the first segment, Shannon is joined by College Coach Kara Courtois to share essential tips for the senior summer . From managing logistics like dorm room shopping and campus prep to pausing and reflecting on the emotional transition ahead, Kara highlights how students can stay organized without letting this meaningful summer slip by. Next, College Coach Julia Jones introduces "Reuse & Recycle," a helpful guide to navigating college essays. Julia breaks down the…
-
11 Jun 2026 · 55 min
Financial Tips for Collegebound HS Seniors & Their Parents
Host Ian Fisher opens this episode with College Coach Lisa Albro to tackle what students should (and shouldn't) ask their high school college counselor . Lisa shares the questions counselors wish students would ask more often, those that spark meaningful exploration and help students better understand their goals, while also addressing the questions that are difficult to answer or ultimately don't provide much value. It's a practical guide to making the most of this important relationship during the college planning process. In the second segment, Ian is joined by College Coach Jonathan…
-
28 May 2026 · 55 min
Happy (Early) National Saving for College Day!
Host Shannon Vasconcelos dedicates this special, all‑finance episode to National College Savings Day (5/29, 529 - get it?) , beginning with Jonathan Hughes , Associate Director of College Planning and Content Creation at the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) . Jonathan explains how MEFA, a not‑for‑profit state‑chartered organization founded in 1982, helps families plan and pay for college through savings programs and loans, as well as its expanding focus on postsecondary pathways beyond college. The conversation dives deep into 529 plans —their history, purpose, how they…
-
21 May 2026 · 52 min
Who Wore It Better? Consortium Style
Host Kyra Tyler explores the world of college consortiums in this episode, starting with College Coaches Shayla Bezjak‑Martinez and Geraldine Castaneda . Drawing from their experience with the Five College Consortium and the Claremont Colleges , they break down how these models compare: from campus proximity and walkability to differences in institutional style. They highlight the many benefits consortiums offer, including access to shared academic, social, and extracurricular resources that can give students a true "best of both worlds" experience. They also explain how the admission…
-
14 May 2026 · 53 min
How to Become a Professional Athlete & Baseball Scout
Host Ian Fisher begins this episode with Josh Tobias , former professional baseball player and current scout, for an inside look at the path to competing at the highest levels of college and professional sports. Josh describes the work it took to reach his goals and what it was like playing at the University of Florida while balancing the demands of athletics and academics. He also discusses the increasing pressure college athletes face due to the rising business side of college sports and highlights the wide range of career opportunities within athletic organizations . In the second…
-
7 May 2026 · 51 min
What Do I Do If I Haven't Saved Enough to Pay for All Four Years of College?
Host Sally Ganga opens this episode with Ben Baum , Vice President of Enrollment at St. John's College , and Maggie McGuinness for an in‑depth look at what makes St. John's a truly distinctive institution. With two campuses and a reputation for "great books and great conversations," St. John's centers its entire academic experience on small classes and shared inquiry. Rather than offering traditional majors or interdisciplinary programs, the college rejects the idea of academic disciplines altogether—every student reads the same texts and wrestles with timeless questions like "How do I live…
-
30 Apr 2026 · 1 hr
The Waiting Game: What To Do About Waitlists
Host Kyra Tyler kicks off this episode with College Coach Joy Biscornet for a practical guide to college visits . Joy shares how to plan visits effectively, what to do once you're on campus, and which questions are worth asking, as well as which ones aren't. Most importantly, she explains how visits can help students decide whether a school truly feels like a good fit by seeing if they can picture themselves there. In segment two, Kyra is joined by College Coach Scott Alexander to tackle a common spring concern: being waitlisted . Scott breaks down what actually happens after a waitlist…
Take it with you
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
