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SCK College Advisor Darryl Tiggle shares valuable insights drawn from Admissions Beat, the Dartmouth podcast hosted by Lee Coffin, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. This month’s discussion features Coffin in conversation with Jacques Steinberg, former New York Times reporter and co-author of The College Conversation.
From their different vantage points—inside the admissions office and from the media lens—both experts agree: the growing narrative of college admissions as a high-stakes “academic Hunger Games” is overblown. Despite headlines and hysteria, the fundamentals of the admissions process remain intact.
“The old rules still apply,” Coffin and Steinberg emphasize, “they’re just more elastic.”
In other words, while admissions may look a little different year to year, colleges are still reviewing applications holistically. They’re still looking for compelling stories, still recognizing merit in many forms, and still evaluating students one by one—not as stats, but as people.
So if you’re a student or a parent caught in the current “vortex of anxiety,” take a beat. And a breath. You’ve got this.
ADVICE FOR SENIORS: FINISH STRONG AND EMBRACE THE NEXT CHAPTER
By now, many seniors know where they’re headed in the fall. But if you’re on a waitlist and still don’t have a firm answer as May turns into June, it’s time to emotionally pivot. Wrap your arms around your second-choice school. Say it out loud: “This is where I’m going.” And know that it will be good.
Also important: Don’t coast through the end of senior year. Your college offer is contingent on successful completion of your academic year. So keep your momentum going and close this chapter with pride.
After graduation? Take a well-earned break this summer. Have fun, recharge, and then head into August and September with intention.
Parents, this season is also big for you. Expect a flood of emotions as your child gets ready to leave the nest. Your role is shifting—your teen is now the point of contact with their college, and it’s time for you to cheer from the sidelines. Let yourself enjoy the fruits of your years of support and guidance.
FOR RISING SENIORS: PLAN, REFLECT, AND BEGIN TO TELL YOUR STORY
Juniors, as you officially transition into rising seniors, now is the time to begin shaping your application strategy with purpose:
- Finish the year strong. Grades still matter—and so does your effort.
- Think ahead about teacher recommendations. Who knows you well and can speak to your growth?
- Visit colleges this summer if you haven’t yet. Try a mix of urban and rural campuses to see what fits.
- Refine your list. Campus visits will help narrow down what truly matters to you.
- August 1st is a big date—the Common App opens. Start sketching out the story you want to tell, not just in your personal essay, but in every part of your application: your activities list, supplements, and interviews.
Most importantly: trust your instincts. Listen to your inner compass. There is no one “right” path—there is only the path that is right for you.
