Admissions Beat

Lee Coffin • Vice President and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at Dartmouth College

College Admissions

Dartmouth College

Financial Aid

FAFSA

Higher Education

College Search Process

Storytelling

Standardized Testing

College Applications

Admissions Process

International Students

College Affordability

College Search

College Counseling

Early Decision

Liberal Arts Education

College Admission Process

Emotional Well-Being

College Admissions Process

College Interviews

On the Admissions Beat, veteran dean of admissions Lee Coffin from Dartmouth College and a range of guests provide high school students and parents, as well as their counselors and other mentors, with "news you can use" at each step on the pathway to college. With a welcoming, reassuring perspective and an approach intended to build confidence in prospective applicants, Dean Coffin offers credible... more

193 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	143	Founded	5 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	News CommentaryEducationHow ToNews

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Latest Episodes

When a Dean Meets a High School Principal in a Hotel Lobby...

When an admissions dean meets a high school principal in a hotel lobby at a national admissions conference, they have a lot to discuss! John Durante of Syosset High School in New York, host of the College Admissions Process Podcast, reunites with Lee... more

Yesterday • 50 min

"AI Can't Feel..."

In AB's third annual roundtable discussion from the annual conference of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, a lively group of deans, counselors, and CBO leaders join Lee Coffin and Jacques Steinberg in Minneapolis for a candi... more

27 Oct 2026 • 1 hr 8 min

Here We Go Again

With a nod to Dolly Parton's iconic song, two parents ponder their second run through the college admissions process. Is the second time a charm? Are there lessons gleaned from the first search? Can an admissions veteran stay calm as she switches int... more

13 Oct 2026 • 51 min • Most popular

A Translation Guide for "Ed-Speak” in a College Search

Holistic? Full demonstrated need? Optional? Admissions and financial aid officers sometimes speak a particular kind of language...but everyone navigating a college search is not always as fluent in "ed-speak." A dean, a guidance counselor, and a fina... more

6 Oct 2026 • 53 min

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Inside the Yale Admissions OfficeInside the Yale Admissions Office

Recent Guests

Steve Saud

Director of college counseling at Isidore Newman School

Isidore Newman School

Episode: "AI Can't Feel..."

Eileen Cunningham-Fikens

Dean of college counseling at Dwight-Englewood School and co-host of The Process

Dwight-Englewood School

Episode: "AI Can't Feel..."

James Massey

Director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Maryland, College Park

University of Maryland, College Park

Episode: "AI Can't Feel..."

Andre Phillips

Executive director of admissions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Episode: "AI Can't Feel..."

Chris Reeves

Works at the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics and co-hosts the Reeves and Ford podcast

Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics

Episode: "AI Can't Feel..."

Ben Baum

Vice president of enrollment at St. John's College and chair of the Colleges That Change Lives board

St. John's College

Episode: "AI Can't Feel..."

Matt Hyde

Dean of admissions and financial aid at Trinity College

Trinity College

Episode: "AI Can't Feel..."

Jay McCann

College counselor at the Westminster Schools and co-author of The College Finder

Westminster Schools

Episode: "AI Can't Feel..."

Erica Rosales

CEO of College Match, which helps low-income students find and graduate from selective colleges

College Match

Episode: "AI Can't Feel..."

Host

Lee Coffin

Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid (and host of the show), Dartmouth College; veteran admissions leader with three decades of experience.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 193 ratings

Thank you
A really positive and informative show- it’s inform for students and parents, not Tiger moms.
Apple Podcasts
5
StefMMandC
United States7 months ago
Interesting but not inspiring
Interesting to hear about trends but the students they bring on don't present well and sound uncertain and tentative. They don't inspire confidence and frankly I wonder how they got into Dartmouth sounding like that.
Apple Podcasts
3
podcastkom22
United States2 years ago
Good general college advice. Doesn’t reflect Dartmouth admissions.
I listened for a season and found the discussions pleasant and reassuring. The host and guests focus on discussing students who are well rounded and empathetic. They make the valid point that there are many great colleges and universities available. However, what I saw in my area is that students admitted to Dartmouth were very “pointy” and really focused on one activity, sport, or skill. Perhaps this podcast is what the Dean wishes he was doing.
Apple Podcasts
2
pantheist
United States2 years ago
Everything that is wrong in admissions
Lee Coffin epitomizes every single thing that is wrong in higher education. He lives in his ivory tower talking about “fit“, “mission” and “purpose,” but he and his ilk are the quintessential gatekeepers drumming up ways to deny students who actually do the work. This podcast is the way he feels better about himself because he surrounds himself with the yes men/ women who parrot his views. The worst are those episodes where he waxes poetic about “how he actually signs his name on every admission... more
Apple Podcasts
1
PD12234
United States2 years ago
“Admissions Beat” dials down the heat
“Admissions Beat” is one of the few podcasts that actively dials down the heat on the otherwise highly combustible admissions process. Without hyperbole, this podcast completely changed my daughter’s view of admissions and allowed her to tap into her own value in the process. Before “Admissions Beat,” the admissions process was feeling like a gross listing of performative accomplishments to be judged and criticized by faceless administrators for personal gain. She now views the process as a way ... more
Apple Podcasts
5
pleasesetupretail
United States2 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are typically experienced professionals who provide humane, context-driven insights into decisions.

Audience appreciates clear explanations of complex admissions concepts and emphasis on fit.

Some listeners feel episodes vary in energy or presentation style, but the content remains informative and reliable.

The host's calm, reassuring tone is frequently highlighted as a strength in helping families feel supported.

Thoughtful, practical guidance that helps families navigate the process without needless anxiety.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#98	United States/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#47	United Arab Emirates/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#59	Singapore/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#102	South Korea/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#132	Russia/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#157	Taiwan/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"AI Can't Feel..."

Q: What are a few pieces of advice, a few tips for families that are concerned about affordability, specifically as they see more and more colleges each year at and exceed the $100,000 full cost of attendance sticker price?

Participants recommend researching net costs and outcomes early, contacting financial aid offices, speaking with recent alumni, and preparing for the CSS Profile and FAFSA. They stress that sticker price is not necessarily what families pay.

"AI Can't Feel..."

Q: To what degree are you employing AI in the admissions process, including in evaluating candidates?

The admissions leaders say they do not use AI to evaluate applications and still review applications individually. Some staff use AI for research, and they see its responsible role in admissions as an ongoing question.

Here We Go Again

Q: What advice do you have to first time parents who are listening to this and they're like, yeah, and they're still fretting?

Jamie Robitaille recommends establishing a weekly time for admissions conversations and focusing final decisions on the student's fit and likely success, rather than rankings or statistics alone.

Here We Go Again

Q: Was Charlie materially different as a prospective applicant than Olivia had been?

Jamie Robitaille explains that her children brought different personalities, strengths and levels of planning to the process. She learned that her son needed more guidance and time to figure out what he wanted, rather than a schedule modeled on his sister.

Guiding the Voyage of Discovery: The College Finder

Q: How should families use this book early in the process rather than as a last-step decision aid?

The guests describe starting with self-knowledge (the 'existential selfie') and using the lists to explore a broad set of schools, then narrowing by fit factors such as programs, campus culture, and financial realities.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions Beat

What is Admissions Beat about and what kind of topics does it cover?

On the Admissions Beat, a veteran dean of admissions from a prestigious university hosts discussions with a range of guests, including college counselors, administrators, educators, and students. Each episode aims to demystify the college admissions journey with practical guidance, data-driven context, and human-centered storytelling—from early search through decision time and arrival on campus. The show is likely to stand out for its transparent look at the decision process, emphasis on holistic review and fit, and accessibility for families navigating complex timelines and choices. Listeners can expect actionable tips, realistic expectations, and voices that balance institutional perspective with family-centric guidance.

Where can I find podcast stats for Admissions Beat?

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How many listeners does Admissions Beat get?

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What are the audience demographics for Admissions Beat?

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How many subscribers and views does Admissions Beat have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Admissions Beat has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Admissions Beat?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Admissions Beat:

1. The Truth about College Admission
2. Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews
3. The College Admissions Process Podcast
4. Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
5. Inside the Yale Admissions Office

How many episodes of Admissions Beat are there?

Admissions Beat launched 5 years ago and published 143 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Admissions Beat?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Admissions Beat?

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What guests have appeared on Admissions Beat?

Recent guests on Admissions Beat include:

1. Steve Saud
2. Eileen Cunningham-Fikens
3. James Massey
4. Andre Phillips
5. Chris Reeves
6. Ben Baum
7. Matt Hyde
8. Jay McCann

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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