More Than A Transcript: College Admissions Insights and Strategies

Whitney Bruce & Katelyn Klapper
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We are Whitney Bruce and Katelyn Klapper, two Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) with more than 50 years of admissions and college advising experience. We will discuss everything from the beginning of high school to college graduation. Join us as your guides to a transformative college experience, because college is more than a transcript.   A periodic podcast with new episodes twice monthly.

  1. FEB 12

    Episode 20: How to Build a College List, Part 1

    A good college search begins with the student! Self-assessment and reflection about your academic, social and financial needs is our recommended first step. Then, go out and test the waters with a few very different college visits to determine how your needs will be met by the variety of options available to you. In our tips section we provide tips for resources and approaches to help you figure out your “why?” Step one of our roadmap is to consider a personality assessment or a college values assessment like the one you can find on schoolbuff.com . Try to find someone to talk with as you look at your results. Step two is to take a local college tour (and listen to our previous episode on campus visits).  Step three is to talk to your network. Be curious about the college and career paths of the people in your life, including your high school teachers! Step four is to have an honest conversation about college affordability for your family and look at the net price calculator on a few college web pages. Then, tune in for our next episode where we will walk you through how to pull this all together in a balanced list of colleges!  Time Stamps: 00:37 What Are We Learning This Week?  Whitney walks us through the hands-on-learning aspects of an animal behavior major and we discuss how to find relevancy in more obscure majors! 05:39  Big Picture: We talk about the important first steps of building a college list, and these include assessing your education, social and financial needs, as well as your interests and your own college “why?”. 21:18 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”  Whitney quizzes Katelyn on the origin countries of the 40 US college students competing as members of women’s hockey Olympic teams.  24:39  Tips and Strategies for tools to help you assess your college fit needs. In our next episode, Part 2 of this series, we will talk about bringing this all together to choose colleges and build a balanced list. More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow. Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions. Thanks for listening!

    36 min

  2. JAN 22

    Episode 19: What To Do While You Wait For Your Admission Answers

    During the winter months high school seniors move from the stress of college application deadlines to the stress of waiting for answers from the colleges that they have applied to. In this episode we want to encourage those of you who are waiting for a regular decision or early action admission decisions to use some of this wait time to further inform the decisions that you will soon be making. We also want seniors to make the most of their final semester in high school. There is actually more to consider than you might think! We discuss the importance of revisiting your college criteria and evaluating your college goals. Also, make sure you have carved out time on your spring calendar to visit, or revisit, the colleges you have been accepted to! In our tips section we provide some thoughts on how to approach researching academic programs, advising and your housing options so that you are ready to make an informed decision. It’s also important to follow through on opportunities like AP exams for placement in advanced courses and possible college credit. AND, it's really important to avoid the "senior slide."  Time Stamps: 00:39 What Are We Learning This Week?  Whitney discusses the difference between how college credit versus class standing can impact an application pathway. 05:30  Big Picture: As you wait for your college acceptances, what are some of the steps you can take to be ready for your final college decisions? 16:47 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”  Katelyn’s quiz for Whitney is related to schools that require a thesis for graduation.  23:05 Tips and Strategies for doing some additional research of academic programs, advising and housing options, as well as considerations for making the most of your last semester in high school. More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow. Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions. Thanks for listening!

    41 min

  3. JAN 7

    Episode 18: Alternative Admission Offers

    Receiving a college acceptance is always an exciting moment, but we encourage you to read beyond the first “Congratulations!” to fully understand your offer. You may be surprised to learn that you have been offered an alternative admission start and you will want to understand the details of these types of offers. We begin with a little history of these types of alternative admission offers and the benefits to enrollment management at the colleges and universities that use them. But what are the benefits to the student?  An offer for spring semester, or a “January admit”, is the first version of an alternative admission offer that you might receive. Apart from securing a spot in what might be your first choice college, this admission offer gives you many options during the period of time that Whitney calls a “half gap year”.  We then discuss some lesser known admission offers including limited-access first semester pathways, alternative campus first year experiences, and finally, you might receive an offer for a guaranteed sophomore transfer if you enroll as a first year student at another university and maintain a specific GPA as outlined in the fine print. In our tips section we provide some thoughts on what your biggest considerations might be when weighing one of these alternative admission offers. What will your summer and fall look like? Will you leave home when your friends do? Will you work, travel, explore a career track through volunteering, an internship or a structured program? Perhaps, most importantly, how will this offer impact your financial aid and college affordability game plan? There are also some unexpected benefits to an alternative campus offer, which for many students will replace the more typical junior year abroad experience. These offers are a growing trend and no longer an anomaly, so take the time to read the details and decide if you are the right student for these options. Time Stamps: 01:06 What Are We Learning This Week?  Whitney discusses a study out of UC San Diego on the math readiness of college freshman based on a dramatic increase in the need for remedial math courses in the freshman class of 2028. 04:54 Big Picture: Defining the primary alternative admission offers that you may receive including spring or January admission, limited-access first semester pathways, alternative campus first year experience (most of these are international) and finally, guaranteed sophomore transfer. 15:59  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”  College trivia test of Katelyn’s geography knowledge. Does she pass this time?  18:47 Tips and Strategies for framing your considerations of an alternative admission offer, including your growth opportunities as well as the potential impacts to your college financing plans. More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow. Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions. Thanks for listening!

    31 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Episode 17: Structured Academic Summer Programs for High School Students

    Summer academic programs are great experiences for exploring major and career interests, college residential life and what it’s like to be away from home, as well as the rigor of college courses. Whitney and Katelyn discuss the three primary buckets of summer academic options on college campuses for high school students. For one of the most affordable options, students can directly enroll in a college level course, for college credit, at many schools, including local community colleges and colleges and universities close to home. Students can also attend programs sponsored at colleges specifically for high school students, often offered for college credit as well. Many of these programs include an exploratory focus on college majors and departments at the college. The last type of summer program are those that are run on college campuses by outside organizations. While these classes and programs can be extremely beneficial in confirming your academic interests, taking courses on a specific campus is rarely going to make a difference in the admission process for that campus. It’s the exploration, learning and reflection that will impact the content of your applications to all of the colleges on your list.  For students who are interested in studying architecture, visual arts or the performing arts, summer programs can be vital for preparing and receiving feedback on portfolio and audition materials.  As you explore programs and consider costs and other factors, think of the summer program applications as a warm up to your college applications as you will usually need to request your transcript, write a short essay or two, and often will need a teacher recommendation. Above all else, be clear about your goals and approach this exploration with curiosity, not as another box to check. Time Stamps: 00:39 What Are We Learning This Week?  Katelyn discusses tuition protection insurance coverage and watching for this, as well as student health insurance, in college billing. Families should have the option to opt out of insurance plans, but don’t always catch this notation. 04:07 Big Picture: Structured academic programs on college campuses for high school students fall into three big buckets: stand alone college course enrollment; college sponsored high school academic programs (many times with a career/major exploration focus); and high school academic programs run by outside companies on college campuses. 15:25  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”  College trivia multiple choice provided by a listener!  17:36 Tips and Strategies for exploring and applying to the best fit summer academic option for you. Keep your goals in mind and start with the list of colleges that interest you most to see what might be offered on those campuses. Applying to summer programs can also be a great warm up to the college application process down in senior year.  More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow. Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions. Thanks for listening!

    30 min

  5. 11/26/2025

    Episode 16: Preparing for Your Early Admission Decisions

    Admit, deny, deferral, waitlist. These are all possible outcomes from your early admission applications. November through mid-December is the typical window for students to hear back from colleges if they have applied through Early Action or Early Decision application plans, though some EA decisions may not be released until January. Be prepared for the fact that you may not have a full financial picture with your early application admission offers, as colleges rarely set new pricing until the early spring. Additionally, you are likely not to get a need-based aid offer before December.  Whitney and Katelyn talk about managing early admit offers, including how to share your news, your possible options for housing deposits, and how to remove your other applications from consideration if you have been admitted to your top choice college through Early Decision. If you have been admitted Early Decision you know where you will be attending college next fall, so now is the time to start getting engaged with that campus and to learn as much as you can so that you are ready to hit the ground running as a first year student. If your application has been deferred to the regular admission pool we have tips for you on how to provide more information IF you are prompted to do so. We also discuss the possibility of applying to a second college Early Decision (in January) if a student has been denied in a first round of Early Decision or wasn't ready for this commitment earlier. All students, however, need to be cautious about the “senior slide”. It’s important to keep your grades up and not to drop out of any classes in your second semester because the colleges that have admitted you have done so with the expectation that you will maintain your academic trajectory.   Time Stamps: 00:55 What Are We Learning This Week?  Whitney has been looking more closely at some unique college models, like the American College of Building Arts, that build hands-on learning in a trades-related field into an associates or bachelors degree program. 3:37 Big Picture: In November and December, students are beginning to hear back from the schools that they applied to with an early action or early decisions program. We review the outcomes you can expect and how to talk with friends and family about your admission answers. 15:12  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”  Inspired by election day, Whitney quizzes Katelyn on the colleges attended by U.S. Presidents. 19:01 Tips and Strategies for managing your early admissions decisions. We have thoughts on being considerate of others, how to provide more information if you have been deferred to the regular admissions pool, considerations for a second Early Decision application, and how to make the most of an early admission. More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow. Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions. Thanks for listening!

    39 min

  6. 11/06/2025

    Episode 15: Paying for College Series, Part 3: Merit Aid and Building Affordable College Lists

    This week, we are talking about merit aid and how to build a college list with affordability in mind. If you missed it, we encourage you to listen to episode 11 first, where we talk about the cost of college and provide a foundation for this discussion of merit aid. And if you want to learn more about need-based financial aid, take a listen to episode 13.  Whitney and Katelyn talk about the reasons behind the increasing use of merit awards, or scholarships, to recruit students and address 4 big myths around merit aid. Myth number 1: You are going to get merit aid at every college where you are a competitive application and you have received admission. We want you to be aware of the limitations a student may face in merit aid at an out-of-state public university. There are also several dozen selective universities that do not provide merit aid to any accepted students (though they are very generous with need-based aid). Myth number 2: The perception that athletic scholarships are among the most common type of merit aid, when in fact last year, athletic scholarships represented less than 7% of all university granted scholarships. Myth number 3: Merit aid and scholarships are only for straight A students. We have good news for you here! Myth number 4: Private scholarships are the best way to decrease the cost of college. Again, as a percentage of all scholarship money granted every year, private scholarships represent less than 12% of the total amount awarded. Time Stamps: 1:16 What Are We Learning This Week?  Katelyn is learning about her students’ favorite meals and treats after asking them to choose an application filing celebration treat. In a busy senior year fall, it’s a good time to reflect on all of your hard work.  3:30 Big Picture: We discuss 4 big myths around merit aid. 15:05  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”  Whitney guesses which selective university scholarship requires an essay before invitation to move on in the selection process. 19:55 Tips and Strategies for building affordability into your college search, including a review of some of our favorite resources.  More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow. Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions. Thanks for listening!

    38 min

  7. 10/22/2025

    Episode 14: Yes! You Can Start Your College Search If You Haven’t Picked a Major

    How do I start the college search process if I don’t know what I want to study?  Don’t let this question stall out your college search. An increasing number of colleges are capping enrollment in popular majors which feels to many families that choice of major is more important than it used to be and perhaps vital to securing a job.  With increasing costs, universities are focused on improving retention rates and focusing students on direct paths as soon as possible. We know that the majority of students, however, still change their major at least once during their college career.  Whitney and Katelyn talk about decoupling the idea that major-equals-career, and suggest ways to think about your education more broadly. The choices of a large university setting can sometimes overwhelm an undecided student, so don’t discount the personalized attention that a smaller college can provide. Our big message, however, is that you shouldn’t delay your college search simply because you are undecided about your major. Focus on the other important elements to a good fit college environment while you narrow your choices.  It’s also helpful to zero in on exactly how undecided you are. If you can eliminate some big-bucket academic areas, then it will be easier to identify the colleges with programs that will be your eventual needs. Think about the problems and topics that intrigue you the most!  If you are undecided when you apply and then enroll in college, we offer some tips to help you evaluate how each college on your list guides undeclared students. Be critical of advising structures and general education structures - choose what fits the student’s engagement level and learning preferences. Time Stamps: 1:10 What Are We Learning This Week?  Whitney is back out on college tours this fall. What are the new trends that she is picking up on during these visits? We are both noticing more emphasis than ever on outcomes, and as always, how important individual conversations with students and staff can be to really understanding a campus. 5:30 Big Picture: There has been a steady shift over 30 years away from  the notion of finding your focus and passion in college due primarily to increasing costs and ROI concerns for a career after college. Our big message is that you shouldn’t delay your college search simply because you are undecided about your major. Focus on the other important elements to a good fit college environment while you narrow your choices. 17:50  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”  There are only a few colleges named after colors. Can you guess the universities named after this particular color hue?  20:24 Tips and Strategies for exploring possible majors while you are in high school. If you are undecided when you apply and then enroll in college, we also offer some tips to help you evaluate how each college on your list guides undeclared students.  More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow. Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions. Thanks for listening!

    36 min

  8. 10/08/2025

    Episode 13: Paying For College Series, Part 2: Understanding Need-Based Financial Aid

    This is the second in our three-part series on paying for college. In this episode we give you an introduction to need-based financial aid: what is need-based aid, how do you apply for it, and what can you expect from a college that you are admitted to? How does a family determine if they have “need” for college aid? It’s not a question of what you want to pay, but based on a needs analysis that considers your income, your savings and your ability to borrow. This analysis determines what is called  the Student Aid Index (SAI), which  is actually a family assessment, looking at both student and parent income and assets.  We offer an overview of the two primary forms used in college needs assessment, the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, and then discuss what you might find in your student aid package if you have need. We look at grants/scholarships, loans and work study. Our tips segment covers recommendations for getting ready to file the financial aid forms, including applying for a FSA ID prior to sitting down to submit your FAFSA. College financial aid offices can be a great resource for families, and in particular if your financial situation is in flux or has changed considerably after you have filed for aid. We encourage families to also use a preliminary SAI calculator to get an indication of your possible need, depending on the price of each college. Tune back in for Episode 15 when we talk about merit aid and how to build a college list with affordability in mind. Time Stamps: 1:20 What Are We Learning This Week?  How do the shifts in English language usage impact editorial choices in college essays? We talk about the line between spoken word and grammatically correct choices. Sometimes, it’s okay to break the rules.  5:04 Big Picture: Need-based financial aid is complex and we try to distill it down to the basics: what is need-based aid, how do you apply for it, and how do colleges grant these awards? 16:00 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” Do you know when the first college football game was played in the United States?  20:30 Tips and Strategies Tips on applying for financial aid including timelines, preparing to file and then considerations for comparing financial aid packages that you receive after and admission. More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow. Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions. Thanks for listening!

    32 min
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We are Whitney Bruce and Katelyn Klapper, two Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) with more than 50 years of admissions and college advising experience. We will discuss everything from the beginning of high school to college graduation. Join us as your guides to a transformative college experience, because college is more than a transcript.   A periodic podcast with new episodes twice monthly.

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