EPISODE · Feb 5, 2026 · 37 MIN
High School Counselor Insights: What Makes a College Application Stand Out
from Ol' College Try · host Matt and Peg's College Planning Podcast
In this episode, Peg Keough sits down with fellow Jersey girl and longtime College Aid Pro advocate Lisa Burfeindt, Director of School Counseling for the Cranford Public Schools—and an application reader for UC Berkeley.With decades of experience guiding students and families through the college process, Lisa brings a rare dual perspective: what high school counselors see and what really happens once an application lands on an admissions desk. Together, Peg and Lisa dive into what makes a strong college application, common mistakes students make, and why authenticity matters far more than perfection.They discuss:How colleges (yes, even large public universities) actually read applicationsWhy depth matters more than a long activity listWhat admissions readers look for beyond grades and test scoresHow essays can make or break an application—and why they don’t need to be dramaticThe role of AI in application writing and how inconsistency can hurt studentsWhy finances should be part of the college conversation from day oneHow parents can best support their students without steering the ship for themWhether you’re a parent, student, or counselor, this episode is a must-listen reminder to take a deep breath, stay authentic, and remember: there is no such thing as only one “right” college.Connect with Us! Website: https://collegeaidpro.com/Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ Email: [email protected] PLUS Get 15% OFF site wide with coupon code COLLEGETRY15 💸
What this episode covers
In this episode, Peg Keough sits down with fellow Jersey girl and longtime College Aid Pro advocate Lisa Burfeindt, Director of School Counseling for the Cranford Public Schools—and an application reader for UC Berkeley.With decades of experience guiding students and families through the college process, Lisa brings a rare dual perspective: what high school counselors see and what really happens once an application lands on an admissions desk. Together, Peg and Lisa dive into what makes a strong college application, common mistakes students make, and why authenticity matters far more than perfection.They discuss:How colleges (yes, even large public universities) actually read applicationsWhy depth matters more than a long activity listWhat admissions readers look for beyond grades and test scoresHow essays can make or break an application—and why they don’t need to be dramaticThe role of AI in application writing and how inconsistency can hurt studentsWhy finances should be part of the college conversation from day oneHow parents can best support their students without steering the ship for themWhether you’re a parent, student, or counselor, this episode is a must-listen reminder to take a deep breath, stay authentic, and remember: there is no such thing as only one “right” college.Connect with Us! Website: https://collegeaidpro.com/Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ Email: [email protected] PLUS Get 15% OFF site wide with coupon code COLLEGETRY15 💸
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High School Counselor Insights: What Makes a College Application Stand Out
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