Live, monthly programming

Live Q/A sessions with world-renowned experts on timely college and career topics to keep families prepared, every step of the way.

Register for CGN Live programming with nationally-recognized experts and exclusive Office Hours with CGN’s Director of College Counseling, Brennan Barnard

Class of ’27 College Admission Workshop

College costs are real, but so are the availability and benefits of financial aid. Join us and learn how to get through the paperwork faster and secure maximum funding. We will arm you with knowledge of:

  • Who needs to fill out the FAFSA
  • Documentation you need to have ready
  • The different kinds of aid it unlocks
  • How the CSS Profile differs from the FAFSA

And answers to specific questions on your family context (divorce, multiple students in college, different types of assets, etc.)

Register here

Past CGN Expert guests include…

  • Angela Duckworth
    Author of Grit
    Founder & CEO
  • Malcolm Gladwell
    NYT-Best Selling Author
    Podcast Host
  • Nicole Smith
    Research Professor and Chief Economist
    Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
  • Sal Kahn
    Author of The One World Schoolhouse
    CEO & Founder
  • Michelle Weise
    Founder, Rise & Design
    Author, Long Life Learning
  • Akil Bello
    Advisory Council Member
    Assessment for Good
  • Whitney Soule
    Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions
    University of Pennsylvania
  • Angel Pérez
    CEO of NACAC
  • Fran’Cee Brown-McClure
    Vice President of Student Affairs
    Jackson State University
  • Jason Hyon
    Chief Technologist
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA
  • Linda Calhoun
    Founder & CEO
    CareerGirls
  • Stephen Spinelli
    President of Babson College
  • Lisa Damour
    Author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
  • Ron Lieber
    NY Times Columnist
    Author of The Price You Pay for College
  • Michael Horn
    Author of Job Moves

About Brennan Barnard

Brennan is CGN’s Director of College Counseling, as well as:
  • College Counseling Advisor for Khan Lab School
  • Former Dean of College Counseling at The Derryfield School
  • Former Regional Dean of Admission at Franklin & Marshall College
  • Co-Author of The Truth About College Admission (2024, Johns Hopkins Univ. Press)
  • Advisor to the Harvard Graduate School of Education
  • A Regular Forbes contributor

Frequently Asked Questions

Office Hours are more intimate, live sessions with Brennan Barnard, CGN’s director of college counseling. This is an opportunity for families to ask questions and get valuable answers in real-time.

Brennan is a nationally respected expert in college admissions, a regular Forbes contributor, Co-author of The Truth about College Admission (Johns Hopkins University Press), and the college admissions advisor to the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Office Hours are generally held every other Wednesday at 12 PM (ET) / 9 AM (PT), but some special programs may be held at different times. Please see the schedule above for exact dates and to register ahead of time.

CGN monthly programming is provided to our users in partnership with over 400+ college and career experts, with varying topics throughout the year that cover financial aid, admissions, career tracks, and much more.

Office Hours are smaller, more intimate sessions designed for parents to ask questions and receive answers from CGN’s Director of College Counseling, Brennan Barnard. Occasionally, other experts are brought in to provide additional context and answers.

In order to provide the highest quality production and support to parents and students during their college and career exploration journey, Office Hours are exclusively for CGN Complete members.

Live program will typically range from 30 to 60 minutes.

These live sessions are intended to respect your time and offer a great way ask a few questions and then get on with your day. Office Hours sessions will typically range from 15 to 30 minutes.