College4All Podcast: The Biggest Mistakes in College Admissions

Think you know the college admissions process? Think again. In this episode of College4All, host AMV—with over 30 years of experience guiding students through the maze of applications, essays, and deadlines—pulls back the curtain on the biggest mistakes students and families make.

From building lopsided college lists to writing essays that sound like they belong to someone else, AMV breaks it all down with clarity, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. Whether you’re a student gearing up for applications, a parent trying to support without smothering, or an educator looking for insight, this conversation is packed with practical tips to help you avoid the pitfalls and take each step with confidence.College admissions can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone.

Learn how to sidestep the traps that trip up even the strongest applicants.Subscribe to College4All for more real talk, strategies, and stories that make the path to higher education clearer—and a lot less stressful.

Wake Forest University is a private research university in North Carolina with 9,121 students on a 340-acre campus. Offering more than 50 undergraduate majors and 60 minors across Arts & Sciences, Business, Medicine, Law, Divinity, Graduate Studies, and Professional Studies, Wake is recognized nationally for its academic rigor and community values.In this episode, we hear from three St. Ignatius College Prep alums from the San Francisco Bay Area — Mia Barnes ’20, Johnny Perkins ’21, and Charlie Ashendorf ’20. 

They share candid reflections on campus life, academics, and research opportunities at Wake Forest, which is classified as an R2 research institution.

Join us to see how their experiences connect with Wake’s motto, Pro Humanitate — “For Humanity” — and how the university emphasizes leadership, character, and community service.

It is imperative to use knowledge as power and use planning towards wisdom.  So let's learn and do so you can go move ahead so college is for all! 

Point Loma Nazarene University – San Diego, CA
Located on a stunning oceanfront campus, Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) combines rigorous academics with a strong Christian foundation. Known for programs in Nursing, Business, and Kinesiology, students receive hands-on experience and real-world preparation. As a faith-based school, students participate in regular chapel services, for community and spiritual growth. The campus sits right on the beach and is minutes from downtown San Diego, offering easy connections to local organizations, service projects, and internships that make a real impact on the community.  Campus though small is connected to many city attractions from downtown, SeaWorld and professional sports teams and is a NCAA Division II campus where athletes practice with a view. 

Questions you need to ask colleges before you apply or enroll: 

Cost, Aid, and Transparency

• What is the total four-year cost of attendance, including expected increases?
• How do you determine who receives merit aid?
• Are there scholarships that don’t require separate applications?
• Will merit aid be automatically renewed each year, and are there GPA or enrollment requirements?
• Can you walk me through a sample financial aid award for a family with our income/assets?
• How much aid comes in the form of grants versus loans?
• Do you “front-load” aid—i.e., give more in the first year than in later years?
• If a parent loses a job or income drops, how flexible is your office in reassessing aid?
• Is work-study available to all students who qualify for it?
• What happens if we don’t qualify for need-based aid—do we still have a shot at merit awards?
• Do you “gap” students—i.e., admit them but don’t meet full need?
• Can you give me examples of recent financial aid appeals that were successful?

 Academics & Intellectual Environment

• What are the largest and smallest classes in the first two years?
• Will I be taught by professors or teaching assistants as a freshman?
• How often can undergraduates engage in research, and in what ways?
• How accessible are faculty for mentoring, office hours, and career advice?
• Are academic advisors assigned, or do students find them on their own?
• What happens if a student wants to switch majors—are there barriers?
• Are there honors programs or learning communities, and what are the benefits?
• What is the support structure for students who struggle academically?

Outcomes & ROI (Return on Investment)

• How do you track student outcomes—both immediate and long-term?
• What percentage of students have jobs or graduate school acceptances within 6 months?
• Do you offer career coaching or job placement services beyond résumé reviews?
• What employers recruit on campus? What industries are common among graduates?
• Are there guaranteed internships or structured pathways for real-world experience?
• Are alumni engaged in mentoring or hiring students?
• What are some examples of “transformative” student experiences here?

Emotional Return on Investment (as Lieber frames it)

• What does your institution do to help students discover their purpose?
• How do you help students who feel like they don’t belong?
• What support do you offer for mental health, and how accessible are those services?
• Can students easily find mentors among professors, staff, or alumni?
• What do students say is the most joyful part of their experience here?
• Do students stay on campus over weekends, or is it a commuter culture?
• What traditions unite people across diverse backgrounds?

 Family Considerations & Fit

• What do you wish more parents asked you about during this process?
• How do you handle the differences between “helicopter” parents and “hands-off” parents?
• What happens if my child doesn’t thrive here—what’s the off-ramp or support plan?
• How do you support students from non-traditional, working-class, or first-generation backgrounds?
• If your child had the exact interests and background as mine, would you recommend this school? Why or why not?

Value Alignment & Personal Fit

• What do your students tend to value most about this college?
• Can I sit in on a class that represents the academic culture here?
• What differentiates your school from others with similar rankings or offerings?
• What are students complaining about most right now?
• When students transfer out, what are the reasons they usually give?

Negotiation & Appeals (advanced/strategic)

• If...

If you are a subscriber - this is a special episode with Mia Delaney being back and more experienced as a college student!  She talks about her experience in college, as a Posse Scholar and so much more!  Let's go! 

What’s it really like to attend a Catholic university in the heart of D.C.? We sat down with Grace Brady, a proud St. Ignatius graduate and rising senior at the Catholic University of America (CUA), Class of 2027. Grace gives us the insider’s scoop—from the hidden gems on campus to the kind of students who truly thrive at CUA. 💡 You’ll hear:

• What makes this medium-sized D.C. campus so special
• Why it’s often overlooked—and why that’s a mistake
• The truth about merit aid, student support, and real campus culture

Whether you're considering a Catholic college, a D.C.-based university, or just looking for a great school with strong values and real opportunities, this episode is for you.  Tune in now and explore why Catholic U might be the perfect fit you didn’t see coming.

A big shout-out to all the great professors who care for their students at Catholic University, and even to Grace's high school teacher, Ms. Curcio, who makes it a fantastic experience for everyone who loves Latin! 

Whether you never heard of Common App or you have been hesistant about starting your college journey -- ready or not -- it is time to begin your college application whether you are a freshmen or senior - let's go! Let's start the process to discover the steps to make sure nothing is impossible unless YOU think it is impossible! 

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill is well known for many things - its research, sports, innovation ideas and great folks like Michael B Jordan, musicians like James Taylor, former president like President Polk, their famous mascot Rameses, and now with my former student, Delaney Broderick!  Let's go Tar Heels! 

You can also follow her more on The Daily Tar Heel as well! https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/11/opinion-satire-delaney-in-print

Are the cuts true?  What can that mean?  What is the next thing we need to do? 

Learn how doing co-curricular activities outside of the classroom can help you shine not only in the college application process but also provide you with insights about your possible future career and YOU!

What a gift to watch and witness students rise and rise again despite it all.  However, after 30 years of doing college counseling you do see hiccups along the way that are blocked not because of one's intelligence, but one's mindset and doing life alone.  These words are inspired by my students from my heart to you! 

What a honor to listen to the wisdom and greatness of Raven Shaw.  A graduate from St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco, a soon to be graduate from Howard University and future legend in the making.  It is great to interview a current game changer who talks about the importance of HBCU's and the greatness of Howard University in DC!

What an excellent opportunity to meet with my former student - the one and only - Ann Anish.  A current leader already in politics and a game-changer in life.  Check out her journey and advise other students about making a difference at George Washington University and tips from her college journey. 

Often, when the relief occurs after submission students forget there are still a lot of next steps.  Listen to this quick podcast so you can be on the right mindset on the timeline towards your future! 

I was so lucky to visit Duke University.  It is everything you heard and more - minus the outdated dorms.  But the energy, intellect, and beauty are all there.  One of the most diverse campuses in North Carolina.  So Go, Blue Devils.  

Let's get schooled with Get Schooled!  A non-profit organization focused on helping youth to get ahead whether it be for a job, college or BOTH!  A program that does NOT sell young adults' data, information or privacy like those other programs who say they are giving "free" scholarships or other information but do not.  Due to Get Schooled's long legacy since 2010, they are funded by grants and even have partnerships with other schools due to their great work.  Don't believe me? Listen to the show and then follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getschooled/?hl=en and TEXT THEM at 33-55-77 for free and real support.  Let's Get Schooled! 

Santa Monica College aka SMC has transferred more students to UC campuses than any other college in the country — for 33 years straight. SMC is also tops in transfers to USC and LMU, and the top feeder west of the Mississippi to the Ivy League Columbia University.   SMC offers the same lower-division courses as UC, California State University, and other four-year campuses at a fraction of the cost. Students who start at SMC can save thousands of dollars while benefitting from rigorous smaller classes, personalized counseling, and great professors whose focus is teaching — not research.   

Santa Monica College’s academic excellence is driven by professors with distinguished credentials, representing the best in their fields: award-winning artists, scholars, authors, scientists…you name it. They teach at SMC because they believe in the power of the student-teacher connection. 

Counselors and staff in 55 offices and programs at SMC form the largest student support network in California to meet your needs, and ensure that you get to your goal of transfer or a career, ASAP. From the Veterans Success Center to Guardian Scholars, EOPS, Black Collegians, Latino Center, and many more — SMC is here to help you succeed. 

The breadth of choices at SMC is mind-blowing! From the liberal arts to STEM, accounting to film production, SMC’s career- and transfer-oriented programs rival the nation’s best universities. New courses are constantly being created, and career education courses are developed with direct input from industry advisors. In the past 10 years alone, SMC faculty crafted over 300 new courses in 58 subject areas, and the list keeps growing.

Santa Monica College’s beautiful campuses are a stone’s throw away from the Pacific Ocean, the world-famous Santa Monica Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, and more. We’re located in the gorgeous city of Santa Monica — a top destination for tourists worldwide. Need we say more? 

Well three students do as we interview them to get their honest perspective of the one and only SMC! 

Everyone needs to plan early for college admissions, which means financial aid.  We are lucky to have Paul Martin from College Money Method.  Paul works with all types of families to address their concerns about the crazy maze called college financial aid.  He is thorough, knowledgeable, and empathetic to various situations as a person who has benefited from financial aid.  Listen and subscribe to learn much more from the College Money Method from Paul Martin. 

From California to Texas, we get a chance to interview a transfer student at one of the most selective and desired campuses in the nation: the University of Texas, Austin.  Teresa, a psychology major from the Bay Area, speaks about her experiences on campus.  The University of Texas, Austin, is the state's flagship public research university.  There are 8 different campuses, with locations in Arlington, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tyler.

But this one is pretty hard to get into as an incoming freshman. Besides requiring the SAT or ACT exam now, they often recommend four years of English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. So be prepared if you are not from that state to have difficulty getting in. As Teresa mentions, it is different from most public universities for transfer students because it is always about spaces.  

The campus has 51,000 students, with a huge Longhorn sports team pride, and houses one of the 14 Presidential Libraries called the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library, administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. Within its walls, the library holds over 45 million pages and many more artifacts about the LBJ administration.  

The campus was founded in 1883 and has a long tradition to stand out and has cultivated the city of Austin into an amazing city - but listen to Teresa and listen from her point of view.