October 7, 2025

Incorporating AI into the Admissions Process with Brennan Barnard

How will AI be used in the admissions process by both admissions professionals and applicants and their families? Brennan Barnard weighs in with his insight.

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In this episode, college counselor, author, and podcaster Brennan Barnard debunks the myth of “dream schools,” explains why belonging and high-impact practices matter more than prestige, and urges families to reframe how they approach the admissions process.

Brennan also explores how AI is transforming both admissions offices and student support, from essay review to list building, and discusses the pros and cons of direct admissions. He shares practical advice for seniors and their families about setting boundaries for college conversations, having money talks early, and keeping perspective through the process.

Mentioned in This Episode

College Guidance Network (CGN) (02:05)
Making Caring Common (Harvard Graduate School of Education) (02:05)
Brennan’s Forbes Article About AI and College Essays (20:15)
Jeff Selingo – Dream School (27:14)
Loper (23:57)
The Truth About College Admission (Brennan’s book) (03:57)
Application Trail (Brennan’s Substack) (29:56)
The Truth About College Admission (Brennan’s podcast) (10:25)

Guest

Brennan Barnard

Brennan Barnard is the College Counseling Advisor at Khan Lab School, CA. He is also the College Admissions Program Advisor with the Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Director of College Counseling for the College Guidance Network and Forest School: An Acton Academy.

Host

Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut.Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.