The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions

Ethan Sawyer
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Practical, up-to-date interviews with experts in college admissions, financial aid, personal statements, test prep and more. Ethan Sawyer (aka College Essay Guy), interviews deans of admission, financial aid experts, and veterans of the admissions field to extract, then distill their advice into practical steps for students and those guiding them through the process. From creating an awesome college list to appealing a financial aid letter, Ethan skips the general advice and gets right to the action items, all in an effort to bring more ease, joy and purpose into the college admissions process.

  1. 17H AGO

    702: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 2: Much Ado About Nothing) with Dr. Greg Ungar

    Welcome back to our series, "On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling." In this series, we take a close look at personal essays written by real students, talking about why we love them, what makes them work, and how they came to be. On Becoming speaks not just to the craft of writing, but to what I believe the personal statement is at its best: a record of becoming, the often messy, hopefully meaningful process of finding yourself… through the process of storytelling. In this episode, we slow things down and focus on a single essay, which the author calls "Much Ado About Nothing." Together, we take this essay apart, looking at the storytelling choices on the page, the deeper ideas underneath them, and how the essay captures a moment in the student's becoming.  Dr. Greg Ungar is a professor at the University of Denver. Greg grew up in California and spent six years working on the assembly line at General Motors before finding his way to college, where reading (and thinking) changed the direction of his life. Greg went on to study philosophy and theatre arts at UC Berkeley, and later earned advanced degrees across a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, criminal justice, acting, and theatre and drama. He's someone who has spent a lifetime thinking deeply about identity, work, class, performance, and what it means to make meaning out of lived experience.  We hope you enjoy.    Play-by-Play: 3:23 – Why do Ethan and Greg love reading stories and poetry together?  5:34 – Do college essays need a title?  6:47 – Greg reads the essay, "Much Ado About Nothing"  12:03 – What does Ethan love about this essay?  13:25 – What did Greg notice while reading?  19:23 – How does the author use structure to keep the reader engaged?  25:02 – How can humor be used in college essays?  30:58 – How does the author show different roles and identities throughout?  40:24 – Closing thoughts   Resources: "Much Ado About Nothing" Essay College Essay Essentials  College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

    43 min

  2. FEB 3

    On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 1: My Desk & Magic) with Amanda McRaven

    Welcome to a brand new series here on the podcast I'm calling "On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling." In this series, we'll dig deep into college essays from past students, talking about why we love them and how they came to be.  For me, this title "On Becoming" speaks not just to the craft of writing (how a story came to be), but to what I believe the personal statement is at its best: a record of becoming… the beautiful, sometimes messy process of witnessing someone learn to better understand themselves, articulate their values, and claim their voice in the world. Whether you're a student, parent, educator, or just someone who loves great stories, we hope there's something here for you. In our first episode, I sit down with Amanda McRaven, a dear friend and one of my first hires at College Essay Guy. In this episode, we dig into: Two of our favorite essays from former students A little behind the scenes of how they came to be, and The techniques that helped these stories reveal truths about the students who wrote them.  Amanda McRaven is an artist, teacher, theater director, and storyteller living in the Pacific Northwest. She's a veteran educator and writer with over 15 years of experience coaching students through the college essay process. But what really sets Amanda apart is her approach. She helps students mine their lives for meaning—to find the gold in seemingly ordinary moments, and to connect the dots between experiences in ways that feel alive, honest, and deeply human.  We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play: 3:20 – Something these two essays have in common 4:32 – How does Amanda help students find creative ways to tell their stories?  5:50 – What did early drafts of the "My Desk" essay look like?  6:45 – Amanda and Ethan analyze the intro paragraph of the "My Desk" essay   13:24 – Analysis of paragraph 2 – Laptop 19:30 – Analysis of paragraph 3 – Stack of books 26:11 – Analysis of paragraph 4 – Bead Bracelet 31:59 – Analysis of the final paragraph – Conclusion  34:49 – Ethan introduces the "Magic" essay 41:30 – What did the student's writing process look like for the "Magic" essay?  47:55 – How does the author incorporate values and extracurricular activities together with the topic?  51:22 – How can students find more uncommon connections or topics to write about in their essays? 56:20 – What can students take away from the "Magic" essay?  58:34 – What does Amanda enjoy most about working with students on essays?  1:00:13 – Closing thoughts    Resources: "My Desk" Essay "Magic" Essay College Essay Essentials  College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

    1h 2m

  3. 12/23/2025

    623: Standing Out in STEM: Practical Advice for Future Scientists, Engineers and Techies

    Welcome back to the College Essay Guy Podcast. Today's episode is hosted by Tom Campbell, Community Manager & Senior Essay Specialist at College Essay Guy and a former admission officer at Pomona College and Holy Cross. We've polled the thousands of students who participate in our live webinars and courses and ask what they're favorite subject is, and consistently, STEM reigns supreme. By a lot. In this episode, Tom sits down with Jay Zhang, college counselor at College Essay Guy, to dig into the biggest questions students and families have about preparing for and applying to STEM programs. Together, they explore: What students should know about STEM coursework, rigor, and testing—and where there's more flexibility than most people realize How to think about majors, specialization, and which colleges to consider beyond the usual short list Common STEM student archetypes, including late starters, students unsure which direction to take, those in high-pressure STEM "bubbles," and students worried that elite summer programs are the only path forward And more.  Jay Zhang holds a B.S. in Microbiology from UCLA and an M.A. in School Counseling from NYU, and he's spent over a decade helping STEM students navigate selective admissions—especially within the UC system. He's also a former UCLA scholarship reader and interviewer, so he's seen exactly what works. Jay brings a strength-based, big-picture approach to STEM planning—and when he's not counseling students, you'll probably find him hiking at Crystal Cove or driving all the way from Orange County to LA for his haircut (hey, clearly, this is a man who knows his priorities). We hope you enjoy the episode.    Play-by-Play: 2:14 – What are some early memories of Jay and Tom learning STEM in school?  5:44 – Jay shares his background and where he grew up   7:55 – What are some high school courses that students interested in STEM could plan to take?  11:33 – What should STEM students know about standardized testing? 14:33 – How can students better understand different STEM pathways and majors?  17:55 – What are some lesser-known colleges or programs that students could explore?  24:03 – What are some strategies for broadening a student's college list? 30:01 – How can students balance prestige with selectivity and other factors that are important to them in finding the right fit? 32:46 – How can students explore diverse interests in STEM? 38:52 – What can high school juniors and seniors  do to show interest in STEM if they're just getting started? 46:11 – What helps students in competitive STEM "bubbles" move beyond comparison culture? 50:26 – How can students build on personal experiences that spark their interest in STEM? 53:30 – How important are prestigious summer programs for students interested in STEM? 59:25 – Closing thoughts   Resources: Firestarter Exercise What is STEM? STEM Majors  College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

    1 hr

  4. 12/09/2025

    Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 4): Supplemental Essay Deep Dive with Alisha, HS Senior

    Hey friends, and welcome back to the College Essay Guy podcast. Today's episode is a behind-the-scenes look at Alisha's supplemental essays. If you've been following our Inside the Personal Statement Process series, this episode zooms out a bit—you'll hear us work live through several of her supplements and talk through how to bring clarity, intention, and personality into each one. In this session, Alisha and I explore: What makes a great "list" response for Columbia—and how to avoid filler How to refine a topic that feels "too common" into something that might stand out a little more A simple way to use the roles & identities exercise to focus a short essay  Strategies for approaching the "navigating differences" essay, and How to tackle a "Why us" and a "why major" essay Whether you're a student working on your own essays right now, a parent supporting from the sidelines, or a counselor guiding students through this process, I hope you'll find something useful here. Alisha is a current high school senior going through the application process who loves science, movies, and discovering new places. When she's not studying the brain, she's mentoring younger students through her program Running Start or planning her next adventure. Hope you enjoy our session.   Play-by-Play: 1:24 – How is Alisha's writing coming along? 2:56 – Alisha reads her Columbia list responses. 5:45 – Ethan gives feedback on the list draft. 7:31 – Ethan introduces the Columbia lived-experience prompt. 8:25 – Alisha reads her draft. 9:30 – How did Alisha choose her topic? 16:31 – Ethan suggests an exercise for refining her draft. 25:41 – Alisha reads her draft of the "navigating differences" prompt. 31:37 – Ethan helps Alisha clarify each side's perspective in her disagreement example. 38:41 – Ethan introduces the adversity prompt and Alisha reads her response. 45:27 – Ethan encourages Alisha to center the essay on the value she names (autonomy) and make the story more specific. 48:29 – Alisha reads her response to the "Why Columbia" prompt. 50:27 – Ethan and Alisha identify what genuinely sets Columbia apart for her. 56:17 – Alisha reads her response to the "Why major" prompt. 58:12 – Ethan helps Alisha frame her essay around the central theme she has chosen: the interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience. 1:04:36 – Ethan and Alisha explore how students can research their major when they're unsure what career they want. 1:15:15 – Ethan and Alisha reflect on the drafting process and what comes next.     Resources: The Values Exercise The Roles and Identities Exercise Why This College Essay Guide + Examples How to Write the "Why this Major" College Essay How to Write the Columbia University Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2025/2026 O*NET Career Research Tool College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

    1h 18m

  5. 11/25/2025

    Financial Aid Tips for International Students (and Their Counselors)—2025 Edition

    Welcome back to the College Essay Guy Podcast. This is a very special session with a dear friend of mine and an honored guest in my world, Joan Liu. Joan is the founder of Second Chance, an organization that helps high achieving students from around the world secure full scholarships to universities after their original offers fall through. This conversation is adapted from a live webinar that we hosted where Joan shares some of the most practical, candid advice I've heard for international students who are looking for full financial aid and for the counselors who support them.  In our conversation, we talk about: What a competitive, full-need international applicant really looks like Some common mistakes that students make when applying to colleges and universities in the United States Why creating a global list and not just a US-centric list can open up new opportunities Joan's advice for counselors who are guiding students through this sometimes really complex process.  And more. Joan Liu has been a college counselor for the past 25 years, across top secondary schools in the US, UK, Turkey, and Singapore. She is a graduate of Cornell University and Columbia University. Joan is known in the admissions field for her financial aid expertise, and her ability to place students at universities with a full ride. In 2018, Joan mobilized a team of colleagues to support 60 Nepali students who had lost their scholarships from a university in Texas, USA. Joan did not stand by and watch this higher ed crisis. She assembled a team, and these teams stepped forward and re-seated all of the students at universities in the US, Canada, Middle East, and East Asia, with 10+ million in financial aid and scholarships - after the admissions cycle was OVER for that year. That experience led to Joan founding the non profit, Second Chance at Higher Ed, which supports talented students needing financial support, in accessing higher education at the last minute, after the US cycle is over. Folks, that's full rides after April 1 -  no other organization has ever done this  - and Second Chance is first in its category. Just a few months ago, SC went into its 7th cycle, helping 53 students from 23 countries earn a full ride in less than eight weeks. These students included refugees from Syria, Jordan, and Palestine.  Whether you're a student dreaming of studying abroad or a counselor helping students try to reach that dream, we're hoping that you'll find something useful in this episode.    Play-by-Play: 2:36 – What is Second Chance and how did it get started?  3:34 – What is the typical profile that colleges look for in an international student who is competitive for full financial aid in the United States? 8:00 – How do admissions officers evaluate international applicants compared to U.S. students? 11:59 – What are the most common mistakes that full-need international students make when applying to colleges and universities in the US? 21:53 – What does it mean when a college says they are need-blind for international students? 23:02 – How important is early action for international students? 23:53 – How should international students think about SAT/ACT? What if testing is difficult to access? 31:34 – How important is English proficiency? 32:51 – How should full-need international students think about developing their college list? 41:22 – How does the financial aid process differ for full-need international students? 46:03 – How can students learn more about Second Chance? 51:35 – If a student is rejected from Early Decision, can they still be considered for Regular Decision?  53:09 – If a student does not have a school counselor, how do they submit a school report or other documentation required for applications?  55:11 – How is the application process different this year than in the past?  56:35 – How can students compensate for an average or low GPA? 58:13 – How can counselors best advocate for their full-need international students? 1:02:17 – Closing advice    Financial Aid Resources: Second Chance EducationUSA RESOURCES — BigJ Educational Consulting International Applicants – CSS Profile | College Board International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) International Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC)   College Essay Guy Resources: College Application Hub for International Students How to Use Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy's  Financial Aid Information Excel Sheets 4 Major College Application Deadlines to Keep in Mind College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub   Podcasts:  CEG Podcast Episode 205: That One Time a University Revoked More Than 60 Full Scholarships (And What You Can Do About It) CEG Podcast Episode 211: Financial Aid Tips for International Students (and Their Counselors)—2019 Version CEG Podcast Episode 122: Which Schools Are the Most Generous With Financial Aid? (International Version)

    1h 4m

  6. 11/11/2025

    Navigating Student Health in College: A Doctor's Guide to Sleep, Stress, and Student Life

    The transition from high school to college is something that thousands of students struggle with each year, and it's not something people really talk about. There's a lot of pressure for students to "have it together" in some broad sense. That's why today I'm excited to talk to Dr. Jill Grimes, Dr. Jill Grimes, author of The ULTIMATE College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness, for a frank conversation about things that are often stigmatized.  Content warning: We get into some pretty serious topics such as mental health, drinking, and sex. The views and information shared in this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health, treatment or medication.   In our conversation we cover a wide range of topics, including: What are some simple, science-backed tips for getting better sleep in a dorm room? How does caffeine or other medications affect sleep quality? Dr. Jill's Rule of 3 for navigating homesickness  How can students tell the difference between typical stress and something that really needs attention? How do medications like antidepressants interact with other substances, and why is that something students need to take seriously? What are some simple ways students can take care of their bodies during this big life transition? And more Dr. Jill Grimes is a nationally recognized medical media expert, award-winning author, and proud mom of two awesome college graduates. Dr. Grimes' passion project is The ULTIMATE College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness, Oprah's choice for Best Book in her 2025 Best Gifts for Grads List. With over 20 years of experience in private practice and academic medicine plus 7 years working directly with college students in a busy university health center, Dr. Jill brings a unique blend of real-world medical expertise, evidence-based medicine, and relatable advice for parents and students alike.  Dr. Grimes loves creating and thinking outside the box, in or out of the medical world. She and her daughters relished their decade of scouting and many years of mother-daughter service through the National Charity League. We hope you enjoy.   Play-by-Play: 3:09 – Dr. Jill shares her background and identities 4:32 – What are some of the questions that Dr. Jill often hears in her work? 5:58 – What advice would Dr. Jill give to first-year students?  7:32 – Why does getting involved early make such a difference? 9:46 – How can students get better sleep? 14:39 – How do caffeine and ADHD meds impact sleep quality? 16:37 – What should students know about melatonin and over-the-counter sleep aids? 20:29 – What's Dr. Jill's "Rule of Three" for easing homesickness? 28:04 – How can students reduce anxiety and test stress? 33:27 – How do students know when normal stress becomes a mental health concern? 38:21 – What should students know about nutrition and the effects of alcohol on the body?  44:20 – What advice would Dr. Jill give to students who decide to drink alcohol?   47:59 – How can families approach conversations about sex and consent? 49:48 – What should students know before visiting a doctor on their own? 52:50 – What does Dr. Jill hope that families will keep in mind through this transition?     Resources: The Way Meditation App Drunk Calc  College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

    55 min

  7. 11/06/2025

    Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 3): How Reflection Leads to Insight with Alisha, HS Senior

    Hey friends, and welcome back to the College Essay Guy podcast.  Today's episode is the third and final episode in our series called Inside the Personal Statement Process. If you're just tuning in, this series takes you behind the scenes as I work one-on-one with Alisha, a current high school senior applying for the Fall 2026 term. Find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.  This episode was recorded just a few days before Alisha submitted her early applications. The focus of this episode is on one of the most challenging—and perhaps, the least discussed—aspect of writing the personal statement: insight.  In the session, Alisha and I explore:  What is insight?  How do you find good insights?  What are the kinds of questions that can lead to insights? And more Whether you're a student working on your own essays right now, a parent supporting from the sidelines, or a counselor guiding students through this process, I hope you'll find something useful here. Alisha is a current high school senior going through the application process who loves science, movies, and discovering new places. When she's not studying the brain, she's mentoring younger students through her program Running Start or planning her next adventure. Hope you enjoy our session.   Play-by-Play: 1:16 – It's just days before her Early Decision deadline. How's Alisha feeling? 2:21 – What is "insight," and why does it matter in an essay? 3:30 – Alisha begins reading her latest draft, Wherever the Road Takes Us 4:08 – Ethan gives his thoughts on Alisha's intro 5:37 – Paragraph one: Curiosity 11:04 – Paragraph two: Creativity 11:52 – How does art make Alisha a better scientist? 14:20 – Paragraph three: Empathy 21:20 – Alisha uses the Values Exercise to identify potential new insights  28:19 – Paragraph four: Community 32:47 – Paragraph five: Conclusion and the "empty jar." 35:53 – Ethan recaps final notes and next steps 39:50 – Alisha and Ethan reflects on the writing process and Alisha's growth  41:34 – Closing thoughts    Resources: Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 1): The Sand Essay with Alisha, HS Senior Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 2): Discovering Values Through Revision with Alisha, HS Senior  The Values Exercise College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

    43 min

  8. 10/28/2025

    Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 2): Discovering Values Through Revision with Alisha, HS Senior

    Hey friends, and welcome back to the College Essay Guy podcast.  Today's episode is part two of our series called Inside the Personal Statement Process. If you're just tuning in, this series takes you behind the scenes as I work one-on-one with Alisha, a current high school senior applying for the Fall 2026 term. In the first episode, we got to know Alisha through her brainstorming and outline.  In this episode, we pick up right where we left off — Alisha's second draft. We get into:  How did the new outline work for Alisha? How to approach trimming—not just words, but how Alisha can focus on a particular idea or value in the session to help her find her focus and what to trim How to align the insights that you have in your paragraphs with the examples And more Whether you're a student working on your own essays right now, a parent supporting from the sidelines, or a counselor guiding students through this process, I hope you'll find something useful here. Alisha is a current high school senior going through the application process who loves science, movies, and discovering new places. When she's not studying the brain, she's mentoring younger students through her program Running Start or planning her next adventure. Hope you enjoy our session.     Play-by-Play: 1:24 – How is Alisha's writing coming along? 4:10 – Alisha shares her goals for feedback 5:50 – Alisha reads through her second draft 11:13 – Alisha shares her thoughts on the draft 15:10 – Ethan makes suggestions for trimming by focusing on values that Alisha wants to communicate to the reader  16:40 – Paragraph one: Curiosity 23:10 – Paragraph two: Empathy and nurturing 32:50 – Paragraph three: Creativity. 39:50 – Paragraph four: Pakistan. 46:40 – Ethan and Alisha map next steps for Draft 3 49:22 – Alisha shares new revision ideas and closing thoughts      Resources: Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 1): The Sand Essay with Alisha, HS Senior How to Cut Down Words in Your College Essay How to Write the Columbia University Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2025/2026 College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

    50 min
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Practical, up-to-date interviews with experts in college admissions, financial aid, personal statements, test prep and more. Ethan Sawyer (aka College Essay Guy), interviews deans of admission, financial aid experts, and veterans of the admissions field to extract, then distill their advice into practical steps for students and those guiding them through the process. From creating an awesome college list to appealing a financial aid letter, Ethan skips the general advice and gets right to the action items, all in an effort to bring more ease, joy and purpose into the college admissions process.

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