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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
Application Strategies
High School Juniors
Extracurricular Activities
College Essays
Strategic Positioning
Admissions Narrative
Application Metrics
STEM
Liberal Arts
Pre-Med Admission
Restrictive Early Action
Early Decision
Common Application
Single-Choice Early Action
College Applications
Caitlin Younger
Summer Programs
Business
Admissions Hook

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 weeklyEpisodes43Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyEducation for KidsParenting

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Artwork for The Game: A Guide to Elite College Admissions

Latest Episodes

In this case study episode, we analyze the profile of a high-achieving 10th grade student targeting top engineering and STEM programs (MIT, Princeton, and Georgia Tech), with strong grades, advanced math/STEM coursework, and some early depth in STEM-... more

In this case study episode, we analyze the candidacy of another high-achieving 10th grade student near the top of their class, with 7 AP courses by sophomore year and near-perfect test scores. 

However, despite their strong metrics, we highlight the... more

In this case study episode, we break down the profile of an academically high-achieving 10th grader, with excellent “stats”: straight As in highly accelerated and multiple grade-ahead course rigor and a 1550 SAT before beginning sophomore year.

Desp... more

The most selective colleges do not admit normal applicants; they admit exceptional applicants. And in order to be exceptional, students must first be an exception—or not like their other high-achieving peers, the vast majority of whom will be rejecte... more

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Host

Sam Hassell
Host of a series focused on elite college admissions, leveraging his extensive experience in educational services and research in neuroscience to guide families through the process.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 64 ratings
  • Please keep the episodes coming!

    Appreciate the honesty and no nonsense approach to college applications.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roadrunner NYC
    United States2 months ago
  • Sports are important too

    Had some interesting advice but he lost me at ‘I don’t believe sports and typical teenage jobs are worthwhile.’ These are kids and they should be encouraged to do kid things.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Kup678
    United States4 months ago
  • Phenomenal

    This is the only college admissions podcast worth listening to. Sam provides an exhaustive analysis of every aspect of applying to highly selective colleges citing concrete, real world examples with actionable takeaways. He does so in a manner that is concise and candid while also meticulously detailed and nuanced. I wish I could give it more stars. I’m on my second listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Painted Dad
    United States7 months ago
  • Thanks, Sam

    Finally, an honest and open podcast about the reality of the process. I like how Sam does not sugar coat and tells it like it is!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    freshandflavor
    United States10 months ago
  • You are never getting into college

    If you listen to him you might as well give up and never apply to college. Everything is a “low value activity” other than what he guides folks through. These are kids - give them some hope

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    PD12234
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the realistic and detailed analysis of college admissions, finding the content highly actionable and valuable.
Some critiques arise regarding a perceived lack of encouragement for broader experiences outside academics.
Overall, reviews highlight a thorough understanding of the admissions landscape and actionable advice tailored for families.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

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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.
The Truth About Early Decision & Deferrals
Q: Are ED rates at IVs and IV-plus schools falsely inflated for students who have no legacy sports donor?
Yes, the ED rates are somewhat inflated at the top line due to students in special buckets, particularly recruited athletes, but regular decision pools also contain students with advantages.
Is Legacy A Backdoor To The Ivy League?
Q: Do you have any insight into how much legacy status helps students nowadays, especially at Harvard?
Legacy status can provide a significant advantage at Harvard, especially in the past. However, changes and litigation around affirmative action may have affected the actual benefits, and it's important to consider the specific context of each applicant's candidacy.
Is Legacy A Backdoor To The Ivy League?
Q: Is the goal to abandon any talk of pre-law and instead focus on a niche concentration in English or poli sci?
Yes, it is more beneficial to focus on a specific area within the humanities and to develop a strong narrative around that rather than to label oneself narrowly with career goals.

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

This series offers an in-depth look at the strategies and insights necessary for navigating elite college admissions in the United States. Hosted by a seasoned educational consultant, it addresses common misconceptions and emphasizes practical decision-making for students aiming for top-tier institutions. Episodes frequently cover crucial topics such as application timing, the significance of early decision applications, and the strategic management of student narratives and extracurricular activities. The emphasis on mathematical reasoning and detailed analyses set this series apart, making it particularly valuable for students and their families seeking clarity in the often overwhelming admissions landscape.

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this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 43 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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