Navigating the College Application Process
Podcast: Hillsdale College K12 Classical Education Podcast
Host: Scott Bertram
Guest: Megan Wagner, College Counselor at Lake Country Classical Academy (LCCA), Oconomowoc, WI
Date: September 10, 2025
Overview
In this episode, host Scott Bertram welcomes Megan Wagner, college counselor at LCCA, to provide a comprehensive guide for families and students navigating the college application process. The discussion focuses on building a timeline, understanding student and parent roles, evaluating college fit, preparing key application elements, managing scholarship and financial aid, and staying organized. The conversation also explores how the principles of classical education complement college counseling.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Guest Background and Perspective
[01:50-02:30]
- Megan Wagner’s path includes education, nonprofit youth work, and college admissions before moving to high school college counseling.
- She brings experience from both the college side and high school counseling side, offering dual perspectives.
2. College Application Timeline: What to Do & When
[02:30-05:58]
9th-10th Grade: Preparation
- Focus on becoming a strong high school student by adjusting to increased workload and setting academic and leadership goals.
- Reflect on involvement in school and community, consider working during high school, and start school research and family campus visits.
- Take a practice SAT, ACT, or CLT—even if just as a school-mandated activity.
11th Grade: Execution
- Register and sit for standardized tests (SAT, ACT, CLT), attend college fairs to discover options, and begin narrowing school list.
- Research application requirements, attend campus visits, and plan for recommendation letters.
- Pursue leadership roles and continue strong academic performance.
12th Grade: Decision-Making
- Aim to meet early deadlines (e.g., November 1), maximizing options and scholarship eligibility.
- Submit the FAFSA in winter of senior year; pursue all relevant scholarships (institutional and external).
- Decision time: financial aid and scholarship packages usually arrive by March; choose by May 1.
Notable Quote:
"Junior year and then 12th grade really is about making the decision... I recommend that they aim for the November 1st deadlines. That just kind of helps the pacing of senior year go better and be a little less stressful..."
— Megan Wagner [04:52]
3. Student & Parent Responsibilities
[05:58-07:46]
Student’s Responsibilities:
- Take ownership of school selection, application completion, essays, and communication with admissions offices.
- Track all deadlines, request transcripts and recommendation letters directly.
Parent’s Responsibilities:
- Support by joining campus visits, helping assess "fit," and engaging in honest discussions about finances and student’s personal goals.
- Take an active role in financial aid discussions, especially if parents will contribute financially.
Notable Quote:
"They [students] should be the one emailing their college admission counselors... It's really helpful if they are the person emailing... instead of a parent."
— Megan Wagner [06:33]
4. Assessing “College Fit”
[07:46-11:21]
- Key factors: school size, campus setting (urban/rural), distance from home, class sizes, majors offered, athletic and extracurricular opportunities, Greek life, residential vs. commuter community, religious affiliation, and ROTC programs.
- Visit campuses to get a genuine feel—students often know quickly if a school feels right or wrong.
- Consider both emotional responses and practical program offerings.
Notable Anecdote:
"I visited a school and the feel was off, way off. Not right. Like from the moment you stepped on campus... Another school I thought was going to be kind of the right size. Nope, too big. Knew it as soon as I got there."
— Scott Bertram [08:13]
5. Classical Education and College Counseling
[11:21-13:10]
- Emphasis on whole-person development: virtue, character, critical thinking, lifelong learning.
- College prep is framed within broader “preparation for life”—the right next step after high school may or may not involve college.
- Classical education values formation and self-examination, which influence both college process and ultimate student contribution.
Notable Quote:
"How do we want or how will they contribute to society in the future? ...what will be your contribution? Is college part of that process? If it is not, I think that's okay."
— Megan Wagner [12:15]
6. Essays, GPA, and Transcripts
[13:10-16:31]
- Essays: Should be authentic, add depth beyond activities list, respond directly to prompts (available in advance), and showcase humility.
- GPA: All aspects (weighted/unweighted) are considered, but colleges may recalculate for their purposes. Admissions staff understand the context of rigorous classical curricula.
- Transcripts: Primary application transcript includes grades through the end of junior year; course rigor and unique classes (e.g., philosophy, Latin) matter alongside grades.
Notable Quote:
"You can tell a lot about a student in terms of just who they are... Do they come across as very prideful? Do they come across as humble? Do they come across as genuine?"
— Megan Wagner [14:01]
7. Standardized Testing (ACT/SAT/CLT)
[16:31-18:37]
- Many schools are now test-optional (a shift accelerated by COVID), but test scores can still impact scholarships.
- Students are advised to take at least one test (sometimes required during school); retake if seeking higher scholarship eligibility.
- Schools may “super score”—combining best sub-scores from multiple sittings.
Notable Quote:
"I do think it's a good idea for every student to take at least one of those tests."
— Megan Wagner [16:57]
8. Letters of Recommendation
[18:37-19:39]
- Most colleges ask for teacher and/or counselor recommendations—students should select teachers who know them well, ideally across multiple classes or contexts.
- Requests should be made early in senior year to give recommenders ample time.
- Colleges often specify requirements (types and numbers of letters).
Notable Advice:
"Make that request in the first four weeks of senior year so that the teacher actually has time to put that together and get it to the college by November 1st."
— Megan Wagner [19:22]
9. Decoding College Application Lingo
[19:39-22:14]
- Early Action: Apply and hear back early without binding commitment.
- Early Decision: Binding; must attend if accepted.
- Rolling Admissions: Schools review and respond to applications as they arrive.
- FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid, determines financial aid (formerly EFC, now Student Aid Index, or SAI).
- Non-FAFSA schools (e.g., Hillsdale) have their own forms for determining need-based aid.
Notable Explanation:
"The sticker price is just not what students are going to pay."
— Megan Wagner [22:33]
10. Costs, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
[22:14-26:01]
- The published price is typically much higher than what families end up paying after aid packages.
- Families should not rule out private schools prematurely; after aid, costs may be comparable to public institutions.
- Scholarships are available for all age groups—not just seniors. Continue seeking aid into and throughout college.
- Opportunities include departmental awards, external scholarships, and even travel stipends for campus visits.
- Lesser-known scholarships sometimes go un-awarded due to lack of applicants—encourage proactive searching and application.
Memorable Story:
"This organization reached out to me. They specifically wanted to give it to somebody going into the trades or hospitality... she did [apply], and she was awarded the funds senior year for next year."
— Megan Wagner [25:08]
11. Staying Organized
[26:01-27:14]
- Create a tracking chart or spreadsheet for each school applied to (deadlines, essay requirements, recommendations, fees).
- Students should regularly check in with both school counselors and college admission counselors to ensure all application components are complete.
- LCCA requires senior check-ins in October and spring for additional support.
Quick Tip:
"I think a chart is a good way to do that. Just staying on top of the timeline that we discussed earlier."
— Megan Wagner [26:18]
Notable Quotes
-
“They should be the one emailing their college admission counselors... It’s really helpful if they are the person emailing... instead of a parent.”
— Megan Wagner [06:33] -
“Junior year and then 12th grade really is about making the decision... I recommend that they aim for the November 1st deadlines. That just kind of helps the pacing of senior year go better and be a little less stressful...”
— Megan Wagner [04:52] -
“How do we want or how will they contribute to society in the future? ...what will be your contribution? Is college part of that process? If it is not, I think that's okay.”
— Megan Wagner [12:15] -
“The sticker price is just not what students are going to pay.”
— Megan Wagner [22:33]
Summary Table: Timeline At-A-Glance
| Year | Focus | Activities | |--------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th-10th | Prep & Exploration | School visits, activity involvement, practice tests, course reflection | | 11th | Research & Testing | College fairs, standardized tests, recommendations, leadership roles | | 12th | Application & Decision | Applications (by Nov 1), FAFSA, scholarships, final visits, choose by May 1 |
Final Takeaways
- Start Early: Begin exploration and preparation by 9th or 10th grade.
- Stay Organized: Use charts/lists to track requirements and deadlines for each school.
- Visit Campuses: Intangible ‘fit’ is best assessed in person.
- Communicate Directly: Students should initiate and manage their own application-related communications.
- Be Proactive with Aid: Explore all financial aid and scholarship options—even those for underclassmen or current college students.
- Allow Growth: The college process should be part of broader personal development and exploration.
For more information and resources: k12.hillsdale.edu