Brennan and the new Vice Provost of Enrollment Management at Georgia Tech, Rick Clark, are joined by friend of the podcast Jeff Selingo to talk about his new book, Dream School. Their conversation details why Jeff was inspired to write the book, how to get a sense of the resources on campus when visiting schools, misconceptions about college value, and how life has been going through the college admissions process with his daughter.

LINKS:

The Truth About College Admission Newsletter

"Clark Named Vice Provost of Enrollment Management" - Georgia Tech

Jeff Selingo's website

Buy Dream School

List of Harvard 1L Institutions

Future U Podcast

Hosts: Brennan Barnard, Rick Clark

Guest: Jeff Selingo

Production: Jack Purdy

Returning from their winter breaks, Brennan and Rick go through their items to watch for in 2026, books they're reading, tips for the current application cycle, their words for the year, and preview a couple guests who will be on the show this semester.

LINKS:

Brennan Barnard on Forbes

The Application Trail

12-Hour Walk

"AI is scoring college essays" – LA Times

Truth About College Admission Newsletter

Hosts: Brennan Barnard, Rick Clark

Production: Jack Purdy

Brennan and Rick are joined by Denise Pope, Ph.D., the co-founder and Strategic Advisor at Challenge Success (and Senior Lecturer at Stanford University) to talk about her work in researching student mental health, what families may be getting wrong about what they think colleges want to see in the admissions process, and advice for students to improve well-being in high school and beyond.

LINKS:

Challenge Success

"A 'Fit' Over Rankings: Why College Engagement Matters More Than Selectivity" - Challenge Success

Time Management Worksheet - Challenge Success

"Go Wilde For College Admission In The New Year" - The Application Trail

The Truth About College Admission Newsletter

Hosts: Brennan Barnard, Rick Clark

Guest: Denise Pope, Ph.D.

Production: Jack Purdy