310. Colleges That Change Lives – A Conversation with Executive Director Ann Marano

🎙️ The College Admissions Process Podcast

Episode Title: Colleges That Change Lives – A Conversation with Executive Director Ann Marano

Guest: Ann Marano, Executive Director, CTCL.org

🌟 Episode Summary:

In this powerful follow-up conversation with Ann Marano, Executive Director of Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL), we explore what makes this collection of schools so impactful—and why CTCL remains a beacon for families looking beyond prestige and rankings.

Whether you're just starting the college search or deep in the application process, this episode offers clarity, inspiration, and game-changing advice for every student and family 🎓❤️.

🧠 Top 4 Takeaways for Students and Families:

CTCL Schools Prioritize Potential, Not Prestige 🚫🏆

CTCL challenges the rankings-obsessed culture by highlighting schools that emphasize teaching, mentorship, and student growth. These colleges focus on who students are becoming—not just their resume.

Personalized Admissions Experiences Matter 💬✨

CTCL institutions excel at forming authentic connections with students and families. Expect smaller class sizes, intentional advising, and faculty who know your name—not just your student ID.

Affordability and Access Are Central to the Mission 💵📘

Many CTCL schools offer generous financial aid, merit scholarships, and transparent cost breakdowns. Ann shares how these institutions are deeply committed to supporting students from all backgrounds, especially first-gen and low-income students.

You Don’t Have to “Fit the Mold” to Find Your Place 🔍💡

For students who may feel like college isn’t “for them,” CTCL schools send a different message: You belong. With strong outcomes and transformative educational experiences, these colleges provide real pathways to success.

🏫 What is CTCL?

Colleges That Change Lives is a nonprofit organization inspired by the work of the late education journalist Loren Pope, who identified 40+ colleges that offer life-changing undergraduate experiences. These schools include:

✅ Strong student-faculty engagement

✅ Emphasis on liberal arts and sciences

✅ Cultures of curiosity, collaboration, and community

✅ High graduation rates and strong graduate/professional school placement

💡 Quick Facts:

• CTCL includes well-known student-centered schools like Beloit College, Goucher College, Earlham College, Denison University, Reed College, and many more.
• Most CTCL schools are test-optional or test-free, placing emphasis on the whole student rather than just numbers.
• The CTCL community hosts free college fairs and info sessions nationwide 🌍📍

🎧 Why This Episode Matters for ALL Families

In a world where college admissions often feel overwhelming and elitist, this episode is a reminder that there are colleges where your student can thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. If you're looking for a process rooted in growth rather than stress, this conversation is a must-listen.

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The Colleges That Change Lives:

• 40+ schools located across 24 different states
• Founded between 60 and 329 years ago
• Average enrollment 1520
• Academic programs that offer a wide variety of areas of study and pre-professional programs, from the humanities, to engineering, music performance, nursing, business, equine studies, ecology and environmental biology, peace and conflict studies, neuroscience, dance, computer science...
• Options to embrace the Great Books, one course per semester, dynamic maker spaces, multiple study away and study abroad experiences, competitive athletics, being mentored, self-designed majors, presenting research at national and international conferences, internships and opportunities to lead change

From Ann Marano: Ranking sites (that are not the U.S. News & World Report) that could be interesting for listeners to check out. 

Poets and Quants - Business schools

THE Times Higher Education

CollegeNet Social Mobility Index

And other links from Ann:

• CTCL How To Choose A College That Is Right For You
• A Better College Search: A Hierarchy of Questions (Article written by Brennan Barnard for Forbes, remarks from me are included!)

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👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚

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