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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
Admissions Narrative
Strategic Positioning
College Essays
Application Metrics
STEM
Liberal Arts
Pre-Med Admission
Restrictive Early Action
Early Decision
Single-Choice Early Action
College Applications
Caitlin Younger
Summer Programs
Common Application
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 weeklyEpisodes37Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & FamilyEducation for Kids

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Artwork for The Game: A Guide to Elite College Admissions

Latest Episodes

Top colleges look to admit students with focused passions or “hooks” that they’ll uniquely contribute as part of the incoming freshman class.

However, not all hooks—or the intended college majors they’re associated with—are created equal. And certai... more

In this episode, we dig into early vs. regular decision acceptance rates, what a deferral in the early round signals about a student’s chance of admission in the regular decision round, and how to understand and correctly analyze deferrals at various... more

Top colleges fundamentally look to admit future high-impact scholars and leaders. In this episode, we analyze three characteristics or “signals” top colleges aim to identify in their applicants that are highly predictive of future promise. 

We expla... more

In this episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood topics in college admissions — how many times you should take the SAT or ACT. 

We cover the ideal test scores for top colleges, explain why retaking the tests carries virtually no downside... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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
  • 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 States3 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 States6 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
  • Vocal Fry but Excellent Info

    Vocal Fry but great Information

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kaydee Monty
    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

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
“Help With My Vanderbilt Essay!” & Answering Other Student Qs
Q: Is it legal to shorten 'Michigan Institute of Technology' to 'MIT' on applications?
Using 'MIT' in this context could lead to misleading information, as it may not reflect the institution accurately.
“Help With My Vanderbilt Essay!” & Answering Other Student Qs
Q: Help with the Vanderbilt Supplemental. I'm struggling because I don't have much culture. Is my ADHD diagnosis a viable topic?
Discussing neurodiversity can be valuable, but focus on your academic passions and how they relate to your identity, as personal growth doesn't always stem from adversity.
“Help With My Vanderbilt Essay!” & Answering Other Student Qs
Q: If a school has greater than two teacher recommendations, should I put a non-core subject teacher in the main recommender section or the other recommender section?
It is not advisable to submit a third teacher recommendation, as it may not provide new information and can dilute the quality of your application.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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 37 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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