The College Admissions Process Podcast

John Durante has spent years building this podcast into what might be the single most thorough interview archive of college admissions professionals available anywhere. With 300 episodes and counting, each one featuring a different admissions representative or higher education expert, the show gives you a direct line into how schools actually think about applications, financial aid, and enrollment decisions. Recent episodes have covered topics like financial aid at the Colorado School of Mines and insider perspectives from admissions officers at schools across the country. The format is consistent — Durante sits down with a guest for about 40 minutes and asks the practical questions that students and parents are too nervous to ask during campus visits. He also wrote a book called Straight From The Admissions Office, so the podcast is an extension of genuine expertise rather than a side project. The 4.7-star rating from 125 reviews reflects both breadth and quality. If you want to understand what specific schools are looking for rather than relying on generic advice, this is the show that does the legwork for you. New episodes land weekly.