Best Mattie Culkin Podcasts (2025)

1
Having The Stats But Getting Rejected By College: What Happened? 42:30

14d ago42:30

42:30

Sometimes, impressive students don’t end up with impressive admissions results. Mattie and Michelle dive into a few cases to talk about the reasons students may be unexpectedly rejected from colleges they apply to. https://archive.is/20250428185853/https://www.washingtonpost.com/advice/2025/04/28/carolyn-hax-elite-college-dreams-shame/ https://www.…

1
Passion Projects: Internet Fad Or Key To College Admissions? 42:23

21d ago42:23

42:23

Passion projects keep appearing as the secret to getting accepted into college, but what does this mean? Mattie and Michelle break down what a passion project is and if it actually increases your admission chances. https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhernholm/2025/03/05/4-ways-teens-can-stand-out-in-college-admissions/ https://nymag.com/intelligencer…

1
My 6-Month Strategy To Applying To College 35:50

28d ago35:50

35:50

College applications can be tough to manage. Mattie breaks down what you need to do and when, but most importantly, how to best structure your work to get all your applications in and work in the most efficient way. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
Why Are Students Applying To More And More Schools? 41:09

1M ago41:09

41:09

The stress of college applications is leading more students to apply to more schools. What does this mean for them? Does it really help? What does it mean for admissions teams? Mattie and Michelle unpack the trend of shotgunning. https://www.highereddive.com/news/common-app-data-shows-5-jump-in-first-year-college-applicants/737732/ https://counselo…

1
Pre-Med Is Not A Major 28:20

1M ago28:20

28:20

Do you want to be a doctor? Pre-med is not a major, so this is how you need to apply to college to start your journey to studying medicine. Mattie and Michelle talk about reframing your activities and focus into a major that can lead you down the right path, and why you need to do that. Mattie's blog post on the topic: https://www.collegewithmattie…

1
Navigating the 2025 Common App Changes 40:33

2M ago40:33

40:33

Mattie and Michelle discuss the latest updates to the Common App for 2025. From the expanded "Challenges and Circumstances" question to changes in word limits, they break down how this affects students and celebrate Georgetown joining the Common App (finally). Georgetown joins the Common App in 2026: https://thehoya.com/news/breaking-gu-to-join-com…

1
Oh No! You're Well-Rounded! But You Can Still Get Into College 32:25

2M ago32:25

32:25

Is being well-rounded always good? When it comes to applying to college, it’s often a weakness and not a strength-unless you use it wisely. Mattie and Michelle dive into the reasons it can hold you back and how to navigate your many talents and interests to your advantage when applying to the school you want. Applying to college soon? You can get h…

1
Let’s Talk About Dream Schools In 2025 43:27

2M ago43:27

43:27

Mattie and Michelle talk about dream schools, managing expectations and handling stress. They go over the Princeton Review’s Annual Hopes & Dreams Survey and compare the answers given by students and their parents. Princeton Review Infographics: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/college-hopes-worries#Infographic Press Release with Fi…

1
How To Get Into Top Schools For Computer Science 33:11

2M ago33:11

33:11

Do you want to study computer science in college? Mattie breaks down the best way to get into your school of choice by helping you frame your knowledge and passion so that you assemble the best application you can. What should your essay really say? Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie…

1
The Spread Of The Computer Science Major 29:35

3M ago29:35

29:35

From a niche science degree to the most popular major, Mattie and Michelle tackle the evolution of Computer Science as a college major. How have students shaped their goals and how have schools responded? Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
The Meaning Of College Prestige 46:51

3M ago46:51

46:51

One of the most debated and discussed topics relating to college: prestige. Mattie and Michelle unpack what college prestige really means and whether or not it’s actually important. Related Links https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/how-ivy-league-sch…

1
AI Use In College Admissions: What Does This Mean For Applicants? 30:16

3M ago30:16

30:16

Mattie and Michelle tackle AI and college admissions again, but this time they talk about how colleges use it - not students. How does this affect your college application strategy? Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/By Mattie Culkin

1
Don't Write About Sports In Your College Essay 23:55

3M ago23:55

23:55

Writing about sports in your college essay seems like the obvious thing to do when you are a student athlete, but in this episode, Mattie and Michelle tackle all the reasons to avoid that, whether or not you are being recruited. Learn what to write about instead and why in this episode of College With Mattie. Applying to college soon? You can get h…

1
The Ethics Of Lying On Your College Application 31:09

4M ago31:09

31:09

When you tell a college what you want to major in, should you be honest? Or should you lie to give yourself a better chance of acceptance? Mattie and Michelle talk about the moral issue of lying in your college application and whether or not it actually works - as well as how to do it right! https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/15/magazine/academic-inte…

1
Ivy League Admissions: A Changing Landscape 39:32

4M ago39:32

39:32

Every year college admissions change, but what really drives these changes? Mattie and Michelle talk about the Ivy League admissions trends for 2025 and break down what they mean for new applicants, if they are real shifts or just hypes, and how college-bound students need to respond. Articles discussed: https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/…

1
College Admissions Countdown 33:28

4M ago33:28

33:28

Results season is coming up! Mattie and Michelle talk about when you hear back from different schools and what your acceptance status at certain schools means as you wait for other results. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
The Trouble With Institutional Priorities 27:48

4M ago27:48

27:48

Mattie breaks down the concept of institutional priorities and the part they play in college admissions. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/By Mattie Culkin

1
Learning From Real Student Applications - Part 2: Personal Statement Breakdown & Yale Supplements 46:29

5M ago46:29

46:29

Mattie and Michelle examine a real student application. In this second part, Mattie breaks down and critiques Sarah’s personal statement and Yale supplements. Learn what works, what doesn’t and why!By Mattie Culkin

1
Learning From Real Student Applications - Part 1: Stats & Personal Statement 18:00

5M ago18:00

18:00

Mattie and Michelle examine a real student application, including the personal statement and supplements, and then share the results. In this first part, learn about the student’s background, stats, and personal statement. Tune in for the next episode, where Mattie breaks down the personal statement sentence by sentence and comments on the same stu…

1
Red Flags In Your College Application 25:01

5M ago25:01

25:01

My Central Jersey released an article titled “5 red flags for college admissions officers”. This week Mattie and Michelle are reviewing those red flags and providing solutions for students who see them in their applications. https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/education/college/2024/12/08/5-red-flags-for-college-admissions-officers/767982690…

1
College Admissions Timeline: Stay On Track 47:07

6M ago47:07

47:07

Applying to college is a lengthy and complicated process. Knowing what to do and when is confusing and overwhelming, so in this episode Mattie and Michelle break down the timeline students need to follow. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/complex-applications-create-barriers-to-college-some-are-trying-to-change-that/…

1
Your Highschool Determines Your College 37:29

6M ago37:29

37:29

Aside from your education, your high school influences the college you’ll go to in other ways. In this week’s episode, Mattie introduces Michelle to Polaris List, talks about feeder schools, why they seem to matter, and who your competition really is.By Mattie Culkin

1
The Man Behind The Varsity Blues Scandal Is Out Of Prison 42:54

6M ago42:54

42:54

Rick Singer is out of prison and it’s time to revisit the Varsity Blues scandal and how the world of college consulting responded. Mattie and Michelle discuss what Rick Singer is doing now and what you need to look for in a college consultant. Read more about Mattie’s thoughts at the time: https://www.collegewithmattie.com/my-take-on-operation-vars…

1
Five Core Fundamentals Of College Writing 30:33

6M ago30:33

30:33

In this week’s episode, Mattie breaks down college essay writing and the main elements a successful essay incorporates. These tips can teach you how to craft a compelling essay that resonates with the reader and improve your overall writing.By Mattie Culkin

1
The End Of Affirmative Action: One Year Later 41:38

7M ago41:38

41:38

The Supreme Court banned college admissions based on race and ended affirmative action programs in higher education. Mattie and Michelle discuss how this has changed the landscape of admitted students and how universities are responding to the situation. When is race still relevant? When and how should you bring it up in your application?…

1
Back Up Your Major 28:18

7M ago28:18

28:18

One of the basic principles of Mattie’s FLL strategy is to back up your major. This helps potential colleges get a clear idea of the place you’d have at their campus. In this episode, Mattie breaks down how this works and how you can use your goals to earn a spot at the college of your choice.

1
Are Legacy Admissions Over? 38:52

7M ago38:52

38:52

As California bans legacy admissions, Mattie and Michelle discuss what this means for legacy students and non, as well as how they predict this unfolding. Tune in to see how this affects you and how to adapt your strategy for getting into college.By Mattie Culkin

1
Successful College Essays Follow FLL 29:13

7M ago29:13

29:13

Mattie breaks down his method: F*cking Love Learning. FLL forsters intellectual vitality and academic enthusiasm to make your essay stand out and get you into college. How do you apply it? Why does it work?By Mattie Culkin

1
The Present And Future Of AI In College Admissions 35:13

7M ago35:13

35:13

Michelle and Mattie delve into the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on college admissions and essay writing. Is it cheating? Is it a tool? Does it do a good job? As students turn to AI tools more and more, the question of how appropriate that is rises.By Mattie Culkin

1
Terrible Yet Common College Admissions Advice 28:38

8M ago28:38

28:38

Mattie dives into the most common pieces of bad advice students receive when they begin the college admissions process. Learn how to seek out the advice that is best for you and how to recognize the so-called tips that may be holding you back.By Mattie Culkin

1
Learning From Essays That Got Into Harvard 55:03

8M ago55:03

55:03

Michelle chooses some essays used by students who got into Harvard and Mattie analyzes the elements that work and the problems they present to surface vital essay writing tips. The essays are found on The Crimson: https://www.thecrimson.com/topic/sponsored-successful-harvard-essays-2024/By Mattie Culkin

1
Why Most College Essays Are Terrible 20:09

8M ago20:09

20:09

Mattie breaks down college essays and the most common reason most of them fail: omniscient narration. Learn to recognize the ways fiction writing can surface in your college essay, why it damages your authenticity, and how to fix it.By Mattie Culkin

1
Welcome to College With Mattie 1:18

8M ago1:18

1:18

By Mattie Culkin

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Mattie Culkin Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
College With Mattie

Mattie Culkin

1
Having The Stats But Getting Rejected By College: What Happened? 42:30

1
Passion Projects: Internet Fad Or Key To College Admissions? 42:23

1
My 6-Month Strategy To Applying To College 35:50

1
Why Are Students Applying To More And More Schools? 41:09

1
Pre-Med Is Not A Major 28:20

1
Navigating the 2025 Common App Changes 40:33

1
Oh No! You're Well-Rounded! But You Can Still Get Into College 32:25

1
Let’s Talk About Dream Schools In 2025 43:27

1
How To Get Into Top Schools For Computer Science 33:11

1
The Spread Of The Computer Science Major 29:35

1
The Meaning Of College Prestige 46:51

1
AI Use In College Admissions: What Does This Mean For Applicants? 30:16

1
Don't Write About Sports In Your College Essay 23:55

1
The Ethics Of Lying On Your College Application 31:09

1
Ivy League Admissions: A Changing Landscape 39:32

1
College Admissions Countdown 33:28

1
The Trouble With Institutional Priorities 27:48

1
Learning From Real Student Applications - Part 2: Personal Statement Breakdown & Yale Supplements 46:29

1
Learning From Real Student Applications - Part 1: Stats & Personal Statement 18:00

1
Red Flags In Your College Application 25:01

1
College Admissions Timeline: Stay On Track 47:07

1
Your Highschool Determines Your College 37:29

1
The Man Behind The Varsity Blues Scandal Is Out Of Prison 42:54

1
Five Core Fundamentals Of College Writing 30:33

1
The End Of Affirmative Action: One Year Later 41:38

1
Back Up Your Major 28:18

1
Are Legacy Admissions Over? 38:52

1
Successful College Essays Follow FLL 29:13

1
The Present And Future Of AI In College Admissions 35:13

1
Terrible Yet Common College Admissions Advice 28:38

1
Learning From Essays That Got Into Harvard 55:03

1
Why Most College Essays Are Terrible 20:09

1
Welcome to College With Mattie 1:18

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