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Artwork for The Game: A Guide to Elite College Admissions

The Game: A Guide to Elite College Admissions

Great Minds Advising
College Admissions
Elite College Admissions
Extracurricular Activities
Early Decision
College Applications
Demonstrated Interest
GPA
High School Juniors
STEM
Summer Programs
Business
Application Strategies
College Admissions Process
SAT
Great Minds Advising
Resume Building Mistakes
Intellectual Vitality
PSAT
College Essays
Strategic Positioning

In this podcast series, we break down the complex game that is elite college admissions and the strategies and pitfalls students need to adopt or beware of if they hope to win admission to one of America’s top colleges.

“The Game” is hosted by Sam Hassell and brought to you by Great Minds Advising.

Sam is a published scientist, having spent four years as a neuroscience researcher at Columbia Un... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes57Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Education for KidsParentingKids & Family

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Artwork for The Game: A Guide to Elite College Admissions

Latest Episodes

In this case study, we walk through how to take a high-performing STEM student and strategically refine her profile to stand out at top colleges. We analyze academics, testing, awards, and extracurriculars—highlighting not just strengths but also sub... more

In this episode, we break down how to think about high school course selection when different admissions “rules” seem to conflict. Using the case of an actual student, we explain why many students who are particularly strong in one area (e.g. STEM vs... more

In this episode, we answer five different college admissions questions from students and families, including how class rank affects students’ candidacies at top colleges and whether to drop a junior year AP class in which a student has a B average.

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In this episode, we answer four different college admissions questions from students and families, ranging from self-studying for AP exams to why so many college counselors continue to recommend summer programs that fail to impress top colleges.

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

Host

Sam Hassell
Host of The Game: A Guide to Elite College Admissions; neuroscience researcher with Great Minds Advising background.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 76 ratings
  • Best advice if your kid serious

    Every hater on Sam’s tough love who says “let kids be kids” makes me laugh because their kid will do great at state school. But if your kid is tough, ambitious and focused, no one is more specific on strategic advice than Sam.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JTH080
    United States4 months ago
  • Straight talk and so helpful

    I am many years away from my kids going to college. However, I figured it was not too early to just start listening, and I started listening based on the recommendation of my sister, whose son is applying to college this year. I so appreciate how the host is a straight shooter and does not mince his words. Incredibly helpful and insightful. I have learned so much. Bravo!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BV teacher
    United States5 months ago
  • Wonderful podcast

    It's truly rare to get the kind of information that you'll find from this podcast. Very thorough and very insightful podcast for sure!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    incredible-audible
    United States5 months ago
  • Extremely informative

    Love this podcast for navigating the college admissions process… This is beneficial in my humble opinion for all levels, especially for elite schools

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GioPoc
    United States5 months ago
  • Please keep the episodes coming!

    Appreciate the honesty and no nonsense approach to college applications.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roadrunner NYC
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The host provides practical, no-nonsense advice that's easy to translate into action.
Honest, candid, and detailed without sugarcoating the realities of elite admissions.
Straightforward guidance that's incredibly helpful for families navigating complex timelines.
Brings exhaustive, real-world examples and actionable takeaways to the admissions process.

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Talking Points

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Admissions Q&A: Hard Truths the Internet Won’t Tell You
Q: Can you get into an Ivy for the class of 2030 or 2029 with lower stats?
While it is not impossible, having low stats significantly decreases your chances and generally requires other extraordinary aspects in your candidacy to be considered.
Admissions Q&A: Hard Truths the Internet Won’t Tell You
Q: Is it unusual for many private college counselors to give extremely generic cookie cutter advice to everyone?
Yes, it's common for some counselors to push unselective summer programs without understanding their actual value in college admissions.
Admissions Q&A: Hard Truths the Internet Won’t Tell You
Q: Should I only be talking about things relative to my major in a good application update letter?
The update letter should not serve as a resume add-on and must remain focused on reinforcing the student's interest in the college.
The Truth About Early Decision & Deferrals
Q: Does the student's file get revisited during regular decision, or are the admissions officers too busy reading new applicants?
Yes, deferred applications are typically reread alongside regular decision applicants, especially if accompanied by a compelling letter of continued interest.
The Truth About Early Decision & Deferrals
Q: Would an ED deferral put the student at a disadvantage in the regular decision pool?
It depends on the college; a deferral from schools like Stanford can signal a stronger candidacy, while other schools may defer many applications without meaningful signal.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show breaks down elite college admissions with practical, no-nonsense guidance and data-backed insights. Episodes mix case studies, Q&A, and strategic frameworks to help students, families, and advisors build standout candidacies, optimize coursework, and choose the right narrative or “hook.” Across episodes, listeners get concrete examples of balancing rigor with well-rounded profiles, interpreting transcript and activity impact, and planning timelines to align with top-tier programs. A notable edge is the creator's hands-on experience running a premium advising program, offering actionable playbooks and realistic expectations about outcomes in highly selective admissions. The format tends to favor pragmatic strategies over broad theo... more

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this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 57 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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