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College Matters. Alma Matters.
By Venkat RamanEducation
College Matters. Alma Matters. episodes
- Carson Crochet on Davidson College: German Studies, Arab Studies, CA’Buddy and The Hurt Hub.
At 14, Carson started carrying an Invention Book in her backpack to doodle & jot down ideas for innovation. If she got bored in a class, she would escape to her invention book to think of problems and come up with solutions.
Carson Crochet is a graduating senior at Davidson College majoring in German Studies and Arab Studies. Carson started the CA’Buddy venture at Davidson.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Choosing Davidson College
- Entrepreneurial Pursuit & The Hurt Hub
- Majoring in German Studies, Arab Studies
- Advice to High Schoolers
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Carson Crochet, Davidson College [0:50]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:52]
- Overall Experience [4:34]
- Why Davidson? [6:06]
- High School Interests [8:03]
- Transition to Davidson [10:45]
- The Classes [13:58]
- Active Campus Life [16:16]
- The Hurt Hub [21:37]
- How did The Hub Help? [23:55]
- The Hub Impact [28:10]
- The Business [30:00]
- Summers [33:10]
- COVID Impact [37:00]
- Post College CA’Buddy [43:58]
- Advice to High Schoolers [45:37]
- Memories [46:55]
Our Guest: Carson Crochet is a graduating senior majoring in German Studies and Arab Studies at Davidson College. Carson is building CA’Buddy. She recently won the $25K award in the Nesbit Venture Fund Pitch competition at The Hurt Hub.
Memorable Quote: “But if there is any part of you or an itch inside of you, that is questioning perhaps what you major in, or what sort of environment is best, I would just say, explore that and go to a place where exploration is really encouraged.” Carson’s advice to College-bound High Schoolers.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Similar Episodes: College Experiences
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- Follow us on Instagram.
- To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email [email protected].
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.
51 min - Kelly Jorgensen of Nichols School on College Counseling: Impacting Student Lives While Keeping them Balanced.
Kelly started as a somewhat reluctant College Counselor. But once she jumped into college counseling, she was hooked. She was able to make an impact in students’ lives, while keeping them even-keeled.
Kelly Jorgensen is the Director of College Counseling at Nichols School in Buffalo, New York. On our podcast, Kelly shares her background, her approach to counseling, about “intentionality”, managing families expectations, the COVID impact, and advice to high school students.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- Kelly Jorgensen’s Background
- Approach to College Counseling
- Managing Expectations
- Advice for Students in these times
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Kelly Jorgensen, Nichols School [0:49]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:56]
- Professional Background [4:00]
- About Nichols School [8:32]
- Approach to College Counseling [12:41]
- Managing Expectations [16:34]
- Students over the Years [19:27]
- What’s Still Important for the Application [22:20]
- COVID Impact [25:13]
- Advice to High Schoolers [28:19]
- Staying Excited [31:07]
Our Guest: Kelly Jorgensen is the Director of College Counseling at Nichols School in Buffalo, NY.
Memorable Quote: “What is a good school concept? A good school is what's right for that student at that time.” Kelly Jorgensen.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Recommended Episodes: College Experiences
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- Follow us on Instagram.
- To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email [email protected].
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.
36 min - Ranking Colleges based on Web Traffic in College News Fit to Digest. April 25, 2022.
Making sense of the College News of the week, curated by Alma Matters. Coronavirus continues to drive the news. Shveta Bagade, College Counselor gives us her take on the news.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- College Visits Internet Style []
- What Applicants’ Parents Need to Know []
- Int’l Students Allowed to Take Online Courses []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- University Business []
- US News []
- GW Hatchet []
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Email your comments or questions on this episode to [email protected].
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
17 min - Aidan Arasasingham on UCLA: Global Studies, UC Students’ President, and Dinner with 12 Strangers.
Aidan’s deep interest in History and World Politics was shaped by his own and extended family, being displaced by the civil war in Sri Lanka, to different parts of the world.
Aidan Arasasingham is a graduate of UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies. Now, as a member of the UCLA Alumni, Aidan shares his Undergraduate Experience.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Choosing UCLA
- Majoring in Global Studies
- Passion for Politics and Government
- President of UC Students System-wide
- Advice to Aspiring Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Aidan Arasasingham, UCLA [0:45]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:49]
- Overall Experience [4:10]
- Why UCLA? [5:05]
- High School Interests [7:00]
- Passion for Government and Politics [8:43]
- “Challenging” Transition to UCLA [12:05]
- Difficult Academic Transition [15:58]
- “Favorite Part” Classmates [18:25]
- The Classes [20:16]
- Campus Living [21:54]
- Student Govt Journey [24:34]
- President of UC Students’ System-wide [31:56]
- Summers [35:26]
- Minoring in Art History and Urban Planning [39:11]
- UCLA Redo [42:57]
- Advice to College Applicants [46:03]
- Memories [48:47]
Our Guest: Aidan Arasasingham is a graduate of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and minors in Art History and Urban Planning.
Memorable Quote: “I really felt when I left UCLA, I left without any regrets. It is a place where I think it's really encouraged to follow your passions, follow your heart, and have a really balanced and exciting college experience.” Aidan on UCLA.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Similar Episodes: College Experiences
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- Follow us on Instagram.
- To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email [email protected].
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.
55 min - Carolyn Norton of Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: Become a Coke Scholar and Join the Family.
Carolyn was a Second Grade School Teacher in Virginia with a desire to do more in non-profit education. She moved to Atlanta and in a few years landed a role as the Alumni Relations Manager at the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.
The Foundation has awarded $78M in scholarships to 6600 Scholars since its founding in 1986. Carolyn gives us an overview of The Coca-Cola Scholarship, How Students can Apply, What they look for in their Scholars, Alumni Network, and Advice for High Schoolers. #CokeScholars.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- About Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
- What the Foundation is looking for in the Scholars
- How to Apply
- What the Scholars receive
- Advice to Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Carolyn Norton, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation [0:48]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [2:02]
- Carolyn’s Background [4:16]
- Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation [8:01]
- Role at the Foundation [9:16]
- How to Apply for the Scholarship [11:29]
- What does Coca-Cola look for in the Scholars? [16:53]
- Changes over the last 2 Decades [18:41]
- Kinds of Alumni Programs [19:47]
- What do Scholars get? [24:08]
- Success Stories - Alumni [26:52]
- Advice to High Schoolers [32:13]
- Benefits while in College [35:18]
- Close: Chronicling Your Activities from 9th Grade [39:44]
Our Guest: Carolyn Norton is the Alumni Relations Manager at Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation based in Atlanta. Carolyn graduated from Randolph College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Memorable Quote: “We've done all kinds of impact studies over the years with them, like surveys and things like that, where we've found that it's, like 80% or so consider the Coke Scholars family, like one of their favorite their top three networks, even more so than college...” Carolyn Norton.
Episode Transcript: Please visit this Episode’s Transcript.
Podcast Suggestions for High Schoolers: College Experiences
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Newsletter
- Follow us on Instagram.
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.
45 min - Over Half the Increase in Applications are Int’l in College News Fit to Digest. April 18, 2022.
Making sense of the College News of the week curated by Alma Matters. Coronavirus continues to drive the news. Shveta Bagade, College Counselor gives us her take on the news.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- More than 200 Colleges have Open Seats []
- Williams College Drops Loans []
- Over Half the Increase in Applications are Int’l []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- Higher Dive []
- Higher Dive Williams College []
- Study International []
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Email your comments or questions on this episode to [email protected].
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
12 min - Rohan Pasari on Cialfo: Making College Journey Accessible to High School Students.
When Rohan was getting ready to apply to College in Kolkata, India, his high school did not have a College Counselor to guide him. Three years later his sister was preparing to apply to college, and going through the same pains and anxieties that he had gone through, without a college counselor.
In this podcast, Rohan shares How Cialfo got started, The difference they make to Students, Schools, Counselors and Colleges, the goal of serving 100M students by 2030, and Advice for college-bound students.
Rohan Pasari is the Co-founder and CEO of Cialfo, a Global Ed-Tech company in Singapore.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Rohan Pasari’s Background
- Birth of Cialfo
- How Cialfo helps Students, Schools, Counselors and Universities
- Advice for the College-bound
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Rohan Pasari, Cialfo [0:43]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [2:21]
- Professional Background [4:59]
- How Cialfo was Born! [11:12]
- What Cialfo Offers Students [15:02]
- What about Schools without Counselors? [21:03]
- Why Colleges Partner? [23:41]
- Success Stories [28:38]
- Close College Partners [33:25]
- Where is Cialfo Headed? [35:10]
- Advice to College-bound [38:41]
- If not Cialfo, What…? [40:34]
Our Guest: Rohan Pasari is the Co-founder and CEO of Cialfo. Rohan graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Economics from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Cialfo currently supports over 300,000 students with Direct Apply on its “common application” platform.
Memorable Quote: “Those [College years] are one of the most important years of your life, your world views will be challenged. So reflect on that, you know, be open for your world to be shaken in good and positive ways.” Rohan Pasari’s Advice to the college-bound.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Suggested Episodes: College Experiences (Alumni)
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- Follow us on Instagram.
- To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email [email protected].
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.
45 min - MIT reinstates SAT, ACT in College News Fit to Digest. April 13, 2022.
Episode summary introduction: Making sense of the College News of the week curated by Alma Matters. Coronavirus continues to drive the news. Shveta Bagade, College Counselor gives us her take on the news.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Acceptance Rates 2022 []
- MIT Reinstates SAT/ACT []
- Int’l Students want to Stay in the US After Graduation []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- University Business []
- CBS News []
- The Verge []
- Monitor ICEF []
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Email your comments or questions on this episode to [email protected].
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
16 min - MaryLynne Rodriguez of St. Francis on College Counseling: Making Future Bright for Students.
When MaryLynne was in High School, she noticed that the amount of attention students received from counselors depended on their grades.
MaryLynne Rodriguez is the Guidance and College Counseling Chair at St. Francis High School in California. On our podcast, MaryLynne shares her background, experience & insights, her approach to counseling, the COVID impact, her advice to high school students.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- MaryLynne Rodriguez’s Background
- Approach to College Counseling
- COVID Impact on Students & Colleges
- Advice for the High School Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing MaryLynne Rodriguez, St. Francis High School [0:43]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:46]
- Professional Background [3:48]
- Why Counseling? [4:46]
- Transition to St. Francis HS [6:22]
- Role at St. Francis HS [7:23]
- Approach to College Counseling [8:51]
- “Good” but Not Well Known Colleges [11:50]
- COVID Challenges [13:42]
- Virtual Learning Environment [16:14]
- College Visits to St. Francis HS [17:47]
- Advice to College Applicants [19:55]
- Is Test Optional here to stay? [22:41]
- Making Things Bright for Students! [24:29]
Our Guest: MaryLynne Rodriguez is the Guidance and College Counseling Chair at St. Francis High School, Mountain View, California. Katy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Jose State University, and Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University.
Memorable Quote: “So I'm coming from a place, where my family wanted me to continue pursuing [my education] but didn't know how to support me.” MaryLynne Rodriguez.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Recommended Episodes: College Experiences from Alumni
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- Follow us on Instagram.
- To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email [email protected].
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.
29 min - Sachin Ravi on UW Madison: Computer Science, Exploration, and Pickup Basketball.
Sachin was a typical high school kid. He was a good student. Got good grades. Liked Math and Science. Played tennis for his High School. Played basketball. Loved video games. But, he didn’t have an outsized interest or passion for any of the subjects.
Sachin Ravi is a graduate of University of Wisconsin Madison with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. As a member of the University of Wisconsin Madison Alumni, Sachin shares his Undergraduate Experience.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why Pitt?
- Exploring in College
- Transferring to UW Madison
- Majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics
- Advice to Aspiring Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Sachin Ravi, UW Madison [0:50]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:44]
- Overall Experience [4:07]
- Why Pitt? [6:03]
- High School Interests [7:34]
- “Great” Transition to Pitt [9:45]
- Academic Transition [11:07]
- Motivated Peers [12:53]
- “Great” Profs [14:06]
- Pitt Campus Activities [15:08]
- Trying to Find Passion [16:37]
- Deciding to Transfer [18:26]
- Applying to Transfer [21:31]
- The Transition to UW Madison [23:47]
- UW Peers [26:37]
- “Amazing” UW Profs [28:18]
- Campus Life at UW [29:18]
- Summers [30:47]
- UW’s Impact on Career [33:45]
- Senior Thesis [35:17]
- College Redo? [36:44]
- Advice for Aspiring Students [39:58]
- Memories: “Being Around People” [41:47]
Our Guest: Sachin Ravi is a graduate of University of Wisconsin Madison with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. Sachin has a Master’s and PhD in Computer Science from Princeton University.
Memorable Quote: “I think the main theme is that passions oftentimes just don't like, click. It's not like you have some magical inspiration.”
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Similar Episodes: College Experiences
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- Follow us on Instagram.
- To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email [email protected].
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at these locations: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.
45 min
About College Matters. Alma Matters.
From the publisher's feed
Podcast for High Schoolers about College. We chronicle personal experiences on College Life, College Preparation with College Alumni, Faculty, Admissions and Counselors. The goal of these stories is…
to Inform & Inspire students all over the world to pursue their college dreams.