Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Host Kyra Tyler celebrates the 40th anniversary of Bright Horizons with an in-depth conversation with CEO Stephen Kramer and a look back at the company's remarkable journey. In the first segment, Kyra continues the "Becoming" series with How to Become a CEO, sitting down with Stephen to trace his path from student to leader. He reflects on what he was like growing up and during his college search, including his focus on strong business programs and the early connection he made with a future business partner. Stephen also shares what life looked like immediately after graduation (including plenty of job rejection letters) and how attending business school helped open doors and shape his trajectory. The conversation follows his career through to leadership at Bright Horizons, including navigating one of the company's greatest challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on a business centered around child care and in-person services. In the second segment, Stephen is joined by Stacy Raddock, Vice President of Educational Counseling at Bright Horizons, to reflect on Bright Horizons at 40. Together with Kyra, they discuss the company's growth, evolution, and impact over four decades. Stacy shares insights into her role and the unique challenges the College Coach team faced during COVID, when students were no longer able to access support in their school counseling offices. The conversation also highlights a defining strength of Bright Horizons: a workplace culture that fosters long-term commitment and connection, with Kyra, Stacy, and Stephen each having spent more than 20 years with the organization and what keeps them motivated in their work and their life.

Shannon Vasconcelos takes the mic for her final episode as host. Don't worry though, she'll be back as a guest at some point! In the first segment, Shannon is joined by College Coach Kara Courtois to share essential tips for the senior summer. From managing logistics like dorm room shopping and campus prep to pausing and reflecting on the emotional transition ahead, Kara highlights how students can stay organized without letting this meaningful summer slip by. Next, College Coach Julia Jones introduces "Reuse & Recycle," a helpful guide to navigating college essays. Julia breaks down the different types of essays students may encounter and explains when it's appropriate to repurpose or adapt existing content and when it's better to start fresh. It's a practical look at how to work smarter while still crafting thoughtful, authentic responses. The episode concludes with finance expert Michelle Smoley, who unpacks "Trump accounts" and their potential role in college savings. She explains how these investment accounts work, along with their benefits and drawbacks, and helps families understand when they might make sense compared to more traditional savings tools. (Note: The $1,000 seed money is available for any child born January 1st, 2025 or later, not July 1st, 2025 as stated in the segment.)

Host Ian Fisher opens this episode with College Coach Lisa Albro to tackle what students should (and shouldn't) ask their high school college counselor. Lisa shares the questions counselors wish students would ask more often, those that spark meaningful exploration and help students better understand their goals, while also addressing the questions that are difficult to answer or ultimately don't provide much value. It's a practical guide to making the most of this important relationship during the college planning process. In the second segment, Ian is joined by College Coach Jonathan Wickremasinghe‑Kuhn for a new installment of the "Major Interest" series. Using a recent news story about a Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, they break down how one headline can connect to a wide range of academic interests and career paths, from immunology and public health to communications and marketing. The conversation encourages students to think more deeply about what aspects of real-world issues capture their attention and how those interests might translate into a college major. The episode wraps up with finance expert Laurie Peltier, who shares practical financial tips for college-bound high school seniors and their parents. Laurie outlines the key expenses families should plan for and important steps to take now to set students up for financial success as they transition to campus life.

Host Sally Ganga kicks off this episode with members of the Bright Horizons College Coach High School Planning Team—Lauren Randle, Caroline Damon, and Robin Khadduri—for a conversation focused on how students and families can make the most of the middle school years. They discuss how to strike the right balance between early preparation for potentially competitive college paths and avoiding unnecessary pressure too soon. The team emphasizes an important takeaway: what students do in middle school has little direct impact on college admissions, making this an ideal time for exploration, skill-building, and simply enjoying being a kid. In the second segment, Sally is joined by finance expert Patricia Pineiro‑Goodenberger for a closer look at California-based financial aid opportunities, including the Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship Program. Patricia explains who may qualify for Cal Grants, how much aid they can provide, and key timelines to maximize eligibility. She also breaks down the Middle Class Scholarship, including who qualifies and where it can be used, helping families better understand how these programs can make college more affordable.

Host Shannon Vasconcelos dedicates this special, all‑finance episode to National College Savings Day (5/29, 529 - get it?), beginning with Jonathan Hughes, Associate Director of College Planning and Content Creation at the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA). Jonathan explains how MEFA, a not‑for‑profit state‑chartered organization founded in 1982, helps families plan and pay for college through savings programs and loans, as well as its expanding focus on postsecondary pathways beyond college. The conversation dives deep into 529 plans—their history, purpose, how they work, and why they remain a cornerstone of college savings strategies. In the second segment, Shannon welcomes Finance Expert Beth Feinberg‑Keenan to explore alternatives to 529 plans. Beth outlines other ways families can save and invest for education, including Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, taxable investment accounts (in either a parent or student's name), Roth IRAs, and even real estate strategies. She highlights the pros, cons, and flexibility of each option to help families determine the best fit for their financial goals.

Host Kyra Tyler explores the world of college consortiums in this episode, starting with College Coaches Shayla Bezjak‑Martinez and Geraldine Castaneda. Drawing from their experience with the Five College Consortium and the Claremont Colleges, they break down how these models compare: from campus proximity and walkability to differences in institutional style. They highlight the many benefits consortiums offer, including access to shared academic, social, and extracurricular resources that can give students a true "best of both worlds" experience. They also explain how the admission process works within consortium systems and what students should understand before applying. In the second segment, Kyra is joined by Andrea Breen, Senior Associate Director of Admission at Emmanuel College, for a closer look at the Colleges of the Fenway Consortium. Andrea discusses what makes Emmanuel distinct within the group and how students take advantage of cross-campus opportunities, from intramural sports to performance groups that bring together students from across the consortium.

Host Ian Fisher begins this episode with Josh Tobias, former professional baseball player and current scout, for an inside look at the path to competing at the highest levels of college and professional sports. Josh describes the work it took to reach his goals and what it was like playing at the University of Florida while balancing the demands of athletics and academics. He also discusses the increasing pressure college athletes face due to the rising business side of college sports and highlights the wide range of career opportunities within athletic organizations. In the second segment, Ian is joined by finance expert Russell Seidelman as part of the May‑day series with a focus on finding scholarships beyond the first year of college. Russell explains why students need to carve out time to continue applying for scholarships even while managing college responsibilities, and how to identify opportunities for current students on financial aid websites.

Host Kyra Tyler kicks off this episode with College Coach Joy Biscornet for a practical guide to college visits. Joy shares how to plan visits effectively, what to do once you're on campus, and which questions are worth asking, as well as which ones aren't. Most importantly, she explains how visits can help students decide whether a school truly feels like a good fit by seeing if they can picture themselves there. In segment two, Kyra is joined by College Coach Scott Alexander to tackle a common spring concern: being waitlisted. Scott breaks down what actually happens after a waitlist decision, what students can do beyond simply waiting, and how to weigh options between a school you've already committed to and one that might admit you later. He also explains why trying to decode why you were waitlisted is rarely productive and how colleges use waitlists strategically. The episode wraps up with finance expert Laurie Peltier, who walks families through everything they need to know about May 1st. Laurie covers the true costs of committing (from deposits and meal plans to immunizations) and explains how to officially accept financial aid offers and notify outside scholarship organizations where funds should be sent. And more!

Host Ian Fisher hosts several staff members from Oglethorpe University during a deep dive exploration of the school. In the first segment, Ginger Fay, Vice President of Enrollment, and Dr. Gabriel Barreneche, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs explore what makes Oglethorpe unique as a small university rather than a college and how the university's Core Experience shapes students' academic and personal paths. They also discuss Oglethorpe's long‑standing common reading list, which connects students across generations, and share what has surprised them most as relatively new members of the campus community. In segment two, Ginger Fay is joined by Chris Summers, Director of Financial Aid (and an Oglethorpe alum) for a conversation about athletics and affordability. They unpack the role athletics plays on campus (including the surprising fact that student‑athletes make up about a third of the student body), along with an overview of merit and financial aid, including two major programs tied to institutional support. To close the episode, Ginger Fay continues the conversation with Dr. Meredith Raimondo, Vice President of Student Affairs, to focus on student life at Oglethorpe. Together, they discuss the characteristics they see in students who thrive there and how the campus environment supports engagement, growth, and success.

Host Shannon Vasconcelos opens this episode with College Coach Blair Dixon and finance expert Chrissy Foran for a deep dive into Early Decision. They explore how to determine whether applying ED makes sense for you or your student from both an admissions and financial perspective. It can sometimes be the bump a student needs to be admitted, but committing to one college so early requires sacrificing a lot of the exploration process as well as a complete understanding of how you'll pay for it. In the second segment, Shannon is joined by College Coach Shayla Bezjak‑Martinez to talk about teacher recommendations. Shayla offers guidance on how to choose teachers who will best support your application, why recommendations from core curriculum classes are recommended, the importance of knowing if schools specify which subjects they want represented, and more.

Host Ian Fisher kicks off this episode with finance expert Pati Pineiro‑Goodenberger to unpack some California‑specific financial aid and residency questions. She explains how the Cal State and UC systems determine California residency, how the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program interacts with California colleges, and whether UCs offer merit scholarships. In our second segment, Ian welcomes first-time guest College Coach Maya Gee for a conversation many students face this time of year: how to choose the "best" college from the schools they've been admitted to. Maya shares guidance on weighing fit, academics, finances, and personal priorities to make a confident final decision. Finally, College Coach Kristine Sawicki joins the show to address a common source of frustration students face: Why are colleges sending me so much mail? (And emails… and maybe even texts.) She explains how they get contact information and how they choose who to reach out to. She also discusses how to manage the onslaught of communication by making a plan that works for you.

Host Shannon Vasconcelos kicks off this episode with College Coach Lauren DiProspero, who pulls from her experience in both undergraduate admissions as well as her work with Columbia and Stanford's medical schools. Lauren breaks down BS/MD programs (accelerated pathways where students are admitted to both a Bachelor of Science program and medical school simultaneously) and explains why they're so appealing while clearing up some common misconceptions families often have about these highly selective options. In our second segment, Shannon is joined by College Coach Sara Calvert-Kubrom and Finance Expert Zachery Gries to answer listener questions. Together, they tackle timely topics such as how to navigate a waitlist, what to do if you earn a lower grade fall of senior year after being admitted Early Action, and how to compare financial offers from different colleges. If you have a listener question, please submit them so we can answer them on a future episode!

Host Ian Fisher kicks off this episode with BH finance expert Marina Zaretskiy, who shares what financial aid offices wish rising senior families understood before application season begins. From emphasizing that they are accessible to families with questions or who have updates to their financial situations to the differences between the applications, she offers a helpful behind‑the‑scenes look at how it all works. In our second segment, Ian welcomes BH College Coach Robin Khadduri to dig into what colleges wish rising seniors knew. She talks through how to ask thoughtful questions, how demonstrated interest works, the importance of students sharing their authentic voice, and more. Finally, BH College Coach Nicole Doyle and her son, high school senior Jack Doyle, join the show to share what students wish colleges knew. Jack also shares what it's like to navigate this process when your parent is an expert in the field and what types of discussions seniors have about the application process.

Host Ian Fisher kicks off this episode with BH College Coach Carrie Lewis, who answers a question many families have this time of year: Are colleges still accepting applications? Carrie walks listeners through the process of applying outside the traditional fall and early‑spring deadlines, which usually involves rolling admission. In our second segment, Ian welcomes colleague Kennon Dick for a conversation about one of the most common academic questions students ask: How many APs do I need to take to get into college? Kennon breaks down what curriculum rigor really means, how to find balance, and how colleges evaluate a student's choices within their specific context. Finally, finance expert Jennifer Wilcox joins the show to offer a Federal Student Loan update, outlining what has (and hasn't) changed for 2026.

Host Kyra Tyler kicks off this episode with BH College Coach Caroline Damon, who breaks down February admit programs—those special events colleges host for admitted students to help them dig deeper into academics, campus life, and overall fit as they make their final decision about where to enroll. In our second segment, Kyra welcomes colleague Lisa Albro to tackle a question many families are asking this spring: "How are all the college tours already booked, and how can I still demonstrate interest?" Lisa offers practical strategies for staying engaged even when campus calendars are full. To close out Financial Aid Awareness Month, finance expert Laurie Peltier joins the show to discuss key questions families should ask the financial aid office—and others—when they're on a college tour.