ApplyWise College Admissions Advice for Students
ApplyWise College Admissions Advice for students gives high school students the inside scoop on the latest admissions news, advice and tips from experts including private admissions counselors, former admissions officers and financial aid experts. Join us for monthly interviews hosted by WOR Radio host Liz Hamburg.
February 1, 2013 – Dr. Kat and Victoria, a former student and now a freshman at Dartmouth, use Session 1 as a guide to discuss how best to prepare for the standardized tests students take junior year.
How to Use Social Media in the College Admissions Process
October 1, 2012 – Dr. Kat, co-founder of ApplyWise, shares with you the Do's and Don'ts for using social media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc) when applying to college.
How to Effectively Research a College
May 1, 2012 – Find out the right questions to ask in order to discover which college is right for you.
Decision Time for Seniors
April 1, 2012 – You've gotten in! Now what? Let former associate dean of admissions Meg walk you through the month of April and the factors to consider as you make your final decision.
How to Build a Great Relationship with Your Guidance Counselor
February 1, 2012 – Dr. Kat gives you the tools to build a great relationship with your college counselor so you can begin working with all the resources he or she has access to.
Financial Aid Do's and Don'ts - What you should be doing now
January 1, 2012 – ApplyWise Financial Aid associate Perry DeFontaine has advice for all grade levels about what you can be doing now to help save on college costs.
Applications and Managing the Holidays
December 1, 2011 – Get tips on how to find balance this application and holiday season with ApplyWise Advisor Meg.
Community Service in Unexpected Ways
October 1, 2011 – ApplyWise advisor Meg discusses community service activities and opportunities you probably haven't thought of yet!
The Alphabet Soup of Deciding when to Apply
September 1, 2011 – What should you be thinking about when determining when to send in your applications? Our newest counselor Abby gives you all the facts.
How to Create a Great Common Application
August 1, 2011 – Learn all the do's and don'ts of the Common Application with Meg, one of our Senior Counselors.
Athletic Recruitment: Myths and Truths
July 1, 2011 – New ApplyWise counselor Trey, former college admissions officer at Georgetown University, sets the record straight about recruiting for college athletes.
Preparing for the College Transition
June 1, 2011 – Jonathan, one of ApplyWise's newest counselors who has worked as a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU, helps guide students and parents to make the most out of their last summer at home and ease the transition to college this fall.
Insider Tips from a Former Admissions Officer
February 15, 2011 – Christine Kim offers an insider's view on the college admissions process taken from her time as an admissions officer at Yale and Georgetown.
Expert Advice about being the First in your Family to go to College
February 1, 2011 – Christine Kim, former admissions officer at Yale and Georgetown, gives advice to students who are the first in their families to apply to college.
Inside Tips from a Former Dean of Admissions: What Happens After You Press Send
December 1, 2010 – Lee Stetson, former Dean of Undergraduate Admissions for the University of Pennsylvania, describes what goes into making admission decisions at top universities.
Secrets from a Former Admissions Officer: How to Get a Great Letter of Recommendation
October 1, 2010 – Meg Caddeau, associate dean of admission at Princeton University and Amherst College tells students who to ask and what to give teachers to get a great letter of recommendation.
Secrets from a College Admissions Counselor
September 1, 2010 – Meg Caddeau dishes out the do's and don'ts of college applications for seniors.
Summer Programs for High School Students
July 1, 2010 – Bob Musiker, Owner & Director of Summer Discovery, Pre-College Enrichment Programs which offers on-campus summer programs for high school students at prestigious universities in the US and overseas talks about Summer Programs for High School Students & when's the best time to sign up for a program.
Visiting Colleges Without Leaving Your Hometown
June 1, 2010 – Scott Clarke, IvyWise Counselor & Former Yale Admissions Officer reports on how to visit college campuses without leaving your hometown and spending extra money.
Tips For A Successful Summer
May 1, 2010 – Dr. Kat Cohen, CEO of IvyWise and ApplyWise, a well-known private college admissions counselor, provides tips for having a productive and successful summer.
Updating Your Facebook Status - Admission Decisions When Your Business Is Everyone's Business
April 1, 2010 – Sarah Henry, IvyWise intern, NYU graduate and a social media specialist, discusses appropriate etiquette for announcing your college decisions on online social networks.
Technology Shopping Guide
November 1, 2009 – Robin Raskin, the former editor of FamilyPC, PC Magazine and daily columnist on Yahoo! Tech, is also the author of six books, including A Parents Guide to College Life, and an outspoken advocate for parental involvement in raising digital kids. Today, she'll talk about how parents should go about shopping for the latest in technology.
Writing a Winning Personal Statement
October 1, 2009 – Jenny Blackman, IvyWise writing tutor and former high school English teacher, explains what makes a great personal statement and recommends a few interesting exercises to help you combat writers block and write your best essay yet.
Adjusting to College in a Big City
September 1, 2009 – Aarti Iyer, student at Columbia University, discusses her experiences transitioning to a large city for college and offers advice to others applying to urban campuses.
Budgeting for the College Application Process
August 1, 2009 – Dr. Kat Cohen, well-known private college admissions counselor, discusses how to budget for the often-ignored but very real cost of the college application process.
Reading Between the Headlines
Jul 1, 2009 – Lee Stetson, former Dean of Admissions at University of Pennsylvania, discusses the media's impact on the college admissions process and how to decipher the truth from sensational headlines.
The Hidden Costs of College
June 1, 2009 – Jim Boyle, financial aid expert and President of College Parents of America, discusses the rising cost of college, and some of those often overlooked fees as well.
How to Make the Most of Your Summer
May 1, 2009 – Although summer is certainly a time for students to take a break from schoolwork, summer break also provides students with the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities. In this podcast, Bob Musiker, Executive Director of Summer Discovery, gives high school students advice on how best to spend their summers.
Securing Positive Teacher Recommendations
April 1, 2009 – Jenny Blackman, a former high school English teacher and current IvyWise writing tutor, discuss the various ways students can positively stand out in the classroom and, in doing so, ensure that their teacher recommendations really shine.
How a College's Endowment Affects Your College Search
March 1, 2009 – Over the last decade, colleges enjoyed double digit increases to their endowments. Yet, they are not immune to the drastic downturn in the economy and financial markets. Rod Bugarin, former admissions and financial aid officer at Brown and Columbia Universities, and currently an advisor to ApplyWise.com gives advice on how changes to a college's endowment impacts a student's college search.
When Should You Work With An Independent College Counselor?
February 1, 2009 – Should your child work with an independent counselor? Or is it best to work only with one's school counselors? Dr. Kat Cohen, a well-known private college admissions counselor, discusses the hyper-competitive era of college admissions and the difficulties of finding the right college. Many parents and school-based counselors do not have the time to work closely with each student. Even for college educated parents, the process of finding the right college for their child and helping them with each component of the college application often requires expert help.
The Reality of Being a Student Athlete
January 1, 2009 – Sports continues to be one of the most popular extra-curricular activities. According to the National Federal of State High School Associations, more than 7.4 million students participated on a varsity team, where 54.8% of high school students participate in some sport. Although girls basketball and boys football continue to be the most popular sports, many schools are adding lacrosse, cross country and swimming teams, giving high school students many different options to find their athletic talent.
While most students play sports for the fun of the game, a few lucky students are able to continue athletic pursuits in college. Today, I have Ivy Yi, a senior at the University of Denver and a former member of their Division-I swimming team. She will speak about the realities about being a Dvision I athlete.
How Technology Can Make High School Easier
December 1, 2008 – At the forefront of digital technology for 30 years, Robin Raskin is the former editor of PC Magazine and author of six books, including A Parents Guide to College Life. Here she talks about how students can use technology to make high school easier.

ApplyWise College Admissions Advice for Parents
ApplyWise College Admissions Advice for Parents gives parents of high school students the inside scoop on the latest admissions news, advice and tips from experts including private admissions counselors, former admissions officers and financial aid experts. Stay on top of the latest information and minimize the stress of college admissions. Join us for monthly interviews hosted by WOR Radio host Liz Hamburg.
February 1, 2013 – Dr. Kat and Victoria, a former student and now a freshman at Dartmouth, use Session 1 as a guide to discuss how best to prepare for the standardized tests students take junior year.
How to Use Social Media in the College Admissions Process
October 1, 2012 – Dr. Kat, co-founder of ApplyWise, shares with you the Do's and Don'ts for using social media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc) when applying to college.
How to Effectively Research a College
May 1, 2012 – Find out the right questions to ask in order to discover which college is right for you.
Decision Time for Seniors
April 1, 2012 – You've gotten in! Now what? Let former associate dean of admissions Meg walk you through the month of April and the factors to consider as you make your final decision.
How to Build a Great Relationship with Your Guidance Counselor
February 1, 2012 – Dr. Kat gives you the tools to build a great relationship with your college counselor so you can begin working with all the resources he or she has access to.
Financial Aid Do's and Don'ts - What you should be doing now
January 1, 2012 – ApplyWise Financial Aid associate Perry DeFontaine has advice for all grade levels about what you can be doing now to help save on college costs.
Applications and Managing the Holidays
December 1, 2011 – Get tips on how to find balance this application and holiday season with ApplyWise Advisor Meg.
Community Service in Unexpected Ways
October 1, 2011 – ApplyWise advisor Meg discusses community service activities and opportunities you probably haven't thought of yet!
The Alphabet Soup of Deciding when to Apply
September 1, 2011 – What should you be thinking about when determining when to send in your applications? Our newest counselor Abby gives you all the facts.
How to Create a Great Common Application
August 1, 2011 – Learn all the do's and don'ts of the Common Application with Meg, one of our Senior Counselors.
Athletic Recruitment: Myths and Truths
July 1, 2011 – New ApplyWise counselor Trey, former college admissions officer at Georgetown University, sets the record straight about recruiting for college athletes.
Preparing for the College Transition
June 1, 2011 – Jonathan, one of ApplyWise's newest counselors who has worked as a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at NYU, helps guide students and parents to make the most out of their last summer at home and ease the transition to college this fall..
Insider Tips from a Former Admissions Officer
February 15, 2011 – Christine Kim offers an insider's view on the college admissions process taken from her time as an admissions officer at Yale and Georgetown.
Expert Advice about being the First in your Family to go to College
February 1, 2011 – Christine Kim, former admissions officer at Yale and Georgetown, gives advice to students who are the first in their families to apply to college.
Inside Tips from a Former Dean of Admissions: What Happens After You Press Send
December 1, 2010 – Lee Stetson, former Dean of Undergraduate Admissions for the University of Pennsylvania, describes what goes into making admission decisions at top universities.
Secrets from a Former Admissions Officer: How to Get a Great Letter of Recommendation
October 1, 2010 – Meg Caddeau, associate dean of admission at Princeton University and Amherst College tells students who to ask and what to give teachers to get a great letter of recommendation.
Secrets from a College Admissions Counselor
September 1, 2010 – Meg Caddeau dishes out the do's and don'ts of college applications for seniors.
Summer Programs for High School Students
July 1, 2010 – Bob Musiker, Owner & Director of Summer Discovery, Pre-College Enrichment Programs which offers on-campus summer programs for high school students at prestigious universities in the US and overseas talks about Summer Programs for High School Students & when's the best time to sign up for a program.
Visiting Colleges Without Leaving Your Hometown
June 1, 2010 – Scott Clarke, IvyWise Counselor & Former Yale Admissions Officer reports on how to visit college campuses without leaving your hometown and spending extra money.
Tips For A Successful Summer
May 1, 2010 – Dr. Kat Cohen, CEO of IvyWise and ApplyWise, a well-known private college admissions counselor, provides tips for having a productive and successful summer.
Updating Your Facebook Status - Admission Decisions When Your Business Is Everyone's Business
April 1, 2010 – Sarah Henry, IvyWise intern, NYU graduate and a social media specialist, discusses appropriate etiquette for announcing your college decisions on online social networks.
Technology Shopping Guide
November 1, 2009 – Robin Raskin, the former editor of FamilyPC, PC Magazine and daily columnist on Yahoo! Tech, is also the author of six books, including A Parents Guide to College Life, and an outspoken advocate for parental involvement in raising digital kids. Today, she'll talk about how parents should go about shopping for the latest in technology.
Writing a Winning Personal Statement
October 1, 2009 – Jenny Blackman, IvyWise writing tutor and former high school English teacher, explains what makes a great personal statement and recommends a few interesting exercises to help you combat writers block and write your best essay yet.
Adjusting to College in a Big City
September 1, 2009 – Aarti Iyer, student at Columbia University, discusses her experiences transitioning to a large city for college and offers advice to others applying to urban campuses.
Budgeting for the College Application Process
August 1, 2009 – Dr. Kat Cohen, well-known private college admissions counselor, discusses how to budget for the often-ignored but very real cost of the college application process.
Jul 1, 2009 – Lee Stetson, former Dean of Admissions at University of Pennsylvania, discusses the media's impact on the college admissions process and how to decipher the truth from sensational headlines.
The Hidden Costs of College
June 1, 2009 – Jim Boyle, financial aid expert and President of College Parents of America, discusses the rising cost of college, and some of those often overlooked fees as well.
How to Make the Most of Your Summer
May 1, 2009 – Although summer is certainly a time for students to take a break from schoolwork, summer break also provides students with the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities. In this podcast, Bob Musiker, Executive Director of Summer Discovery, gives high school students advice on how best to spend their summers.
Securing Positive Teacher Recommendations
April 1, 2009 – Jenny Blackman, a former high school English teacher and current IvyWise writing tutor, discuss the various ways students can positively stand out in the classroom and, in doing so, ensure that their teacher recommendations really shine.
When Should You Work With An Independent College Counselor?
February 1, 2009 – Should your child work with an independent counselor? Or is it best to work only with one's school counselors? Dr. Kat Cohen, a well-known private college admissions counselor, discusses the hyper-competitive era of college admissions and the difficulties of finding the right college. Many parents and school-based counselors do not have the time to work closely with each student. Even for college educated parents, the process of finding the right college for their child and helping them with each component of the college application often requires expert help.
How Parents Can Support Their Student Athlete in the College Admissions Process
December 1, 2008 – Ivy Yi, a senior at the University of Denver and a former member of their Division-I swimming team, was one of the few athletes who was able to win a swimming scholarship. Here she reflects on how parents can help support their student-athlete.
For Students
- Five Colleges Where You Can Rock the Vote, Get Elected, or Elect for Change
- So You Think You Want to Transfer
- The Impact of Social Media on Your College Application
- How to Prepare for Your College Visits
- Score! Five Schools for a Great Game Day Experience
- Early, Rolling, and Regular: Understanding Application Options
- Dr. Kat’s List: Five Schools with a Big Heart
- Gifts for Grads
- Juniors – Selecting Teachers to Write Letters of Recommendation
- Dr. Kat’s List: Five Schools for Bicycling Enthusiasts
- Dr. Kat’s List: Five Schools to Celebrate Women’s History
- Wait and See? Tips for Getting off the Waitlist
- Dr. Kat’s List: Five Schools for Future Oscar Winners
- Juniors - How to Kick Off the College Admissions Process
- Dr. Kat’s List: Five Schools to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions
- Interview Tips
- Seniors – You’ve Submitted Your College Applications, Now What?
- Dr. Kat’s List: Five Schools for a Winter Wonderland
- What to Do If You’ve Been Deferred
- ApplyWise Holiday Gift Guide
- Dr. Kat’s List: Five Schools Where it All Adds Up
- Life After Early Application Submission
- How to Research a College Effectively
- Dr. Kat’s List: Five Schools for a Good Haunting
- Finding Balance in the College Admissions Process
- Dr. Kat’s List: 5 Schools for International Relations
- Students – Tips for Cultivating Teacher Relationships and Getting Glowing Letters of Recommendation
- Changes to the 2011-2012 Common Application and Supplements
- Schools Where You Can Make Medical History
- Dr. Kat's List: Five Schools For an Animated Experience
- Score Big in the Athletic Recruitment Process
- Dr. Kat's List: Five Schools for a Quirky Commencement
- After the Admission: Preparing for the College Transition
- Juniors – What to Do After a College Visit
- Dr. Kat’s List: Five Schools Where You Can Express Your Poetic Voice
- Withstanding the Time of Tests
- Making Cents of College Costs
- Dr Kat's List: Five Colleges for a Gleeful Experience
- More than an "A": Strategies for Success in the Classroom and Beyond
- A Summer to Remember: Making the Most of Summers Before College
- Dr. Kat's List: Schools for Skiing and Alpine Sports
- College Admissions Tips For High School Juniors
- Community Service: Quality v. Quantity
- Dr. Kat's List: Five Colleges for Future Leaders
- Up-and-Coming Majors
- Dr Kat’s List: Schools to find Nobel Prize Winners
- Listen to Your Gut, Not Your Friends: Choosing Your College List
- Should You Apply Early Decision?: Early decision plans explained
- Dr Kat’s List: Five Colleges for Aspiring Engineers
- Location, Location, Location!: Tips to help guide your college research
- Rising Seniors, Get Ready for Application Season
- Classroom of the Future
- Gift Guide 2010: Gifts for Grads
- Dr. Kat’s List: Mobile Technology Lovers, Tap Your Way to Success at These Five Campuses
- Dr. Kat’s List: Top Colleges to Save the Environment
- It’s No April Fools Joke—Dealing with Admissions Decisions
- How To Make a Splash This Summer
- Dr. Kat’s List: Schools to Catch March Madness
- College Visits: Why Spending Spring Break in School Is a Good Idea
- Testing the Test: SAT vs. ACT
- Dr. Kat’s List: Schools to Find Your Avatar
- Get Facebook Savvy
- Making Dollars and Sense of Scholarships
- Dr. Kat’s List: Keeping the Faith
- Xbox 101: Major Changes in Gaming
- What’s a Red Flag and How to Take It Down
- Dr. Kat’s List: Top Colleges Where Students Change the World
- The Truth About Affirmative Action for Men
- Dr. Kat’s List: Best Colleges for Future Professors
- What To Do If You Want to Transfer
- Dr. Kat’s List: Colleges To Meet Pro Athletes
- Best Buys for Top Students
- Not Just Business as Usual: Exploring an Undergraduate Business Degree
- More Than Money in Your Pocket: The State University Advantage
- Dr. Kat's List: Civilian Colleges for G.I. Joe Fans
- Do you really KNOW your Facebook friends?
- Why you should look at a college outside the top 25
- Dr. Kat’s List: Colleges to Consider if You Want to Be a Supreme Court Justice
- Dr. Kat's List: 5 Campuses if you want the Harry Potter Experience
- The Four-Year Plan for High School Freshmen
- Should you consider dual enrollment for next year?
- Dr. Kat's List: Great Colleges for Connecting with Loyal Alumni
- Advice for Students: How to have a productive and affordable summer
- Dr. Kat's List: Top 5 Surprisingly Great North American Towns to be a College Student
- With No Offers of Scholarships or Financial Aid, Is Attending a Prestigious College Still Worth the Money?
- Preparing to Meet with Your Guidance Counselor
- Dr. Kat's List: Colleges that Have Risen to Prominence in the Past 25 Years
- Standardized Testing Checklist
- Dr. Kat's List: Top five schools to get a great academic and athletic experience
- Top 5 Schools to Attend If You Want to be in the President's Cabinet
- What to do if you want to transfer
- Who is really #1?
- How the College Application Process Helps You Manage the Holidays
- A Time to Reap and a Time to Sow: A personal account of how the student/parent relationship changes during the college application process
- To Supplement or Not to Supplement
- The Insider's Top 6 Interview Tips
- Early Decision vs. Early Admission
- What Are the Common Mistakes That Many Students Make?
- Should You Submit an Early Application?
- Help Them Help You: The Secrets of a Great Recommendation Letter
- 7 Great Tips to Help you Write that Memorable Personal Statement
- Top 5 Tips for Back to School and Into College
- Get Noticed Early: Top 5 ways to impress that oh-so-important admissions officer
- Get Down in Chi-Town: A College Tour of Chicago
- Manhattan, Your Kind of College Town
- Let Your Mind Breathe in the Pacific Northwest
- Texas Pleasure Run — Saddle Up!
- Virginia is for Students
- Top 4 Can't-Miss Things to Cross Off Your List This Summer
- What to do if you're waitlisted
- The Difference between the SAT and ACT
- How To Spend a Productive Summer
- Campus Visits Dos and Don'ts
- Top 5 Tasks that Juniors need to do now
- Top 5 College Selection Mistakes to Avoid
- Back to School Tips for Parents
- Gift Guide 2011: Gifts for Grads
- Four Signs Your Senior is a Slacker
- Parent's Guide to the Sibling Dynamic in College Admissions
- Great Gifts for Graduates-With Something for Everyone's Budget
- Advice for Relocating Families
- How a decrease in college endowment will impact your child's college education
- Higher Education Appears to be Recession-Proof As Colleges Report Increased Numbers of Applicants
- Five easy tips to help your child find scholarships
- Home Schooling Dilemma: Parent or Guidance Counselor?
- Survey reveals that parents are changing their attitudes towards their child's college admissions process due to economic crisis
- Playing it Safe in Facebook's Wild, Wild West
- PEACE for Parents: Helping with the College Process - and Maintaining Your Sanity
- Secrets of a Financial Aid Officer - Part II
- Secrets from a Financial Aid Officer: Top mistakes students and families make now
- How to Be Helpful in Your Student's Senior Year
