Welcome to the premiere episode of Season 1 of "Beyond the Gavel," where we delve into the strategic role of Model United Nations (MUNs) and debates in college applications. Our guest today is Mr. Abhishek Gupta, a distinguished career counselor and the founder of High School Moms, who will share his extensive insights from his experiences at UCLA and his professional journey guiding students.

In this under 30-minute episode, we introduce ourselves along with Mr. Gupta, who will discuss his career motivations and the driving passion behind his work. This sets the stage for an enlightening discussion on how MUNs and debates can significantly bolster a student's college application, reflecting on the evolving dynamics of college admissions and student expectations in India over the decades.

We will explore what top universities seek in applicants across various fields, including STEM, commerce, and liberal arts, and discuss the importance of participating in prestigious MUNs like Harvard MUN or Oxford MUN. Mr. Gupta will also highlight how extracurricular activities like debates are valued by colleges, particularly for the skills they develop in leadership, critical thinking, and global perspective.

The episode concludes with Mr. Gupta sharing memorable moments from his MUN experiences and offering actionable advice for students to stand out in their applications, regardless of the course or program they aim for. Tune in to "S1E1: College, Career, and Debating with Mr. Abhishek Gupta" for expert insights into making your extracurriculars work towards your academic and career goals.