Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share College Matters. Alma Matters.
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
College Matters. Alma Matters.
By Venkat RamanEducation
College Matters. Alma Matters. episodes
- Jeanne and Lindsay on CUR: UG Research is Transformative & Changes Career Trajectory.
Episode summary introduction: Jeanne Mekolichick, President of Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), Associate Provost and Professor of Sociology at Radford University, and Lindsay Currie, Executive Officer for CUR.
Jeanne and Lindsay talk about Why UG Research is transformative, the role CUR plays in nurturing and expanding UG Research, the services it provides to College and Students and How to prepare to do research in college.
In particular, we discuss the following with them:
- Jeanne & Lindsay’s Professional Background
- What is CUR?
- The Transformative Nature of UG Research
- How CUR helps Colleges & Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Jeanne & Lindsay, CUR [0:40]
- Backgrounds [2:47]
- Why UG Research? [7:04]
- What is CUR? [10:25]
- Why Universities are Members? [12:26]
- How well is CUR working? [14:26]
- Jeanne’s take on CUR [16:50]
- Students & CUR [19:34]
- Community Colleges Participation [22:20]
- Success Stories [24:01]
- Measure of Success [28:08]
- What’s Next for CUR? [32:00]
- Advice for High Schoolers [36:27]
- Selecting Colleges for Research [39:58]
Our Guests:
- Jeanne Mekolichick is the President of The Council on Undergraduate Research. Jeanne is Associate Provost and Professor of Sociology at Radford University.
- Lindsay Currie is the Executive Officer for the Council on Undergraduate Research.
Memorable Quote: “And they are just open calls for an hour where anybody in our community can reach out to us and say they have this problem or concept that they want to get others in, in the undergraduate research community to come and tackle with them and talk about their experiences.” Lindsay Currie about CUR.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- 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, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
46 min - Segment #10: You Just Clicked Submit. What Next? A Guide to Build a Standout US College Application.
Episode summary introduction: Segment #10 of the 10-Segment Podcast Series to help students in 11th Grade build standout US College Applications. This segment focuses on the things that need to be done after submitting the Application. Subscribe for Assignments.
In this segment, Athena Lao leads us through the discussion.
In particular, we discuss the following:
- Early Decision Outcomes and what they mean
- ED2
- Alumni Interview
- Admissions Decision
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Segment #10 [0:55]
- Next Steps after Submit [2:07]
- Early Application Outcomes [6:42]
- To Dos if Deferred [9:38]
- To Dos if Rejected [13:15]
- What is ED2? [15:02]
- Alumni Interview [17:43]
- When are the Admission Decisions [23:34]
- Close [25:01]
- Call 2 Action - Subscribe for Assignments [27:07]
Our Guests:
- Athena Lao is the Head College Mentor at Admissionado. Admissionado has successfully helped students land in the top US universities over the last decade.
Memorable Quote: “So it is very important that you stay on top of your emails and make sure that anything from the school is not going to your spam folder. Because if you miss that, if you don't get a document in on time, they won't be able to review your application, and then you won't even have a chance of getting in.” Athena Lao.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Recommended Podcasts: Segments in this Series.
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe for Assignments
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
29 min - Rankings are Meaningless in College News Fit to Digest. October 26, 2021.
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:
- Rankings are Meaningless & Harmful []
- 10 Univs with Most Applications []
- College Enrollment Stats []
- 50% of College Students take Classes Online []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- NPR []
- WTOP []
- Bank Rate []
- Inside Higher Ed []
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- 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 - David Kastelman on Yale: Econometrics, Summer in Ghana and The Glory of Intramurals.
Episode summary introduction: During High School, David grew up thinking he loved Biology and was passionate about Global Development & Poverty. He was involved in a number of related clubs in school, played baseball and was in the student government.
David Kastelman is a graduate of Yale University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Cognitive Science. As a passionate member of the Yale University Alumni, David shares his Undergraduate Experience in this podcast.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- On choosing Yale
- Majoring in Economics and Cognitive Science
- Summer in Ghana
- Advice to Aspirants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to David Kastelman, Yale [0:55]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:50]
- Yale - Overall Experience [4:51]
- Why Yale? [7:04]
- High School Interests [10:15]
- Transition to Yale [12:30]
- Peers [18:04]
- Professors - “Fantastic Teaching” [21:30]
- Residential Colleges [26:04]
- Campus Activities [27:28]
- Summers [31:05]
- Choosing Majors [40:46]
- Senior Thesis [44:34]
- Yale’s Impact [48:56]
- Yale Redo [52:18]
- Advice to Aspirants [57:49]
- Memories - “Tray Sledding” [1:01:23]
Our Guest: David Kastelman is a graduate of Yale University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Cognitive Science. David earned a Master’s in Statistics from Stanford University.
Memorable Quote: “I think in college, you enter at this time and you feel like you could do almost anything, and after college ends, you can still do so much, but maybe it doesn't feel quite like you can do anything.”
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- 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, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
1 hr 5 min - 5 Most Valuable Majors in College News Fit to Digest. October 11, 2021.
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:
- Success = 6-Year Graduation []
- 5 Valuable Majors []
- Common Myths about US Colleges []
- Int’l Students can benefit from small town Colleges []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- NBC News []
- CNBC []
- Yahoo News []
- US News []
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- 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 - Ruby Hsu on UVM: Community Entrepreneurship, Different Cultures and Exploring to Find Answers.
Episode summary introduction: Ruby grew up in Taiwan and did her High School in a boarding school in Northfield, Massachusetts. One of her High School teachers of Chinese origin took her to a Chinese restaurant in Burlington, Vermont. The restaurant owners told her that she could walk to their restaurant if she joined the University of Vermont in Burlington.
Ruby Hsu is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Development and Applied Economics.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- On Studying in the US
- Majoring in Community Development and Applied Economics
- Campus Life and Activities
- Advice to International Aspirants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Ruby Hsu, UVM [0:53]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [2:02]
- Overall Experience [4:14]
- High School Interests [5:36]
- Transition to UVM [9:00]
- Classmates [11:43]
- Professors [14:12]
- Campus Life [15:50]
- Campus Activities [19:24]
- Campus Jobs [22:45]
- Summers [26:41]
- UVM Impact on Career [32:31]
- The US College Experience [36:29]
- UVM Redo [39:07]
- Advice to Int’l Aspirants [41:08]
- Memories: Roommates [43:54]
Our Guest: Ruby Hsu is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Development and Applied Economics.
Memorable Quote: “...they should get out of their comfort zone, because I do see a lot of students who go abroad to study and they still stay within their circle of friends.” Ruby Hsu to International Students.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- 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, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
49 min - Colleges Ranked Differently in College News Fit to Digest. September 13, 2021.
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:
- Int’l Education Demand Grows []
- Vaccinate or Else..? []
- Ranking Differently []
- Freshman 15: Myth or Reality? []
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 World News []
- Duke Chronicle []
- USNews []
- Politico []
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- 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.
19 min - Luke Neureiter on Swarthmore: Peace Engineering, Soccer, and Lang Scholar.
Episode summary introduction: Swarthmore did not make Luke’s initial list, because his dad went to Swarthmore. Then, late fall of his senior year, he visited Swarthmore and stayed overnight with the soccer team. Luke was blown away by the people he met at Swarthmore.
Luke Neureiter is a Senior at Swarthmore College pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and Peace & Conflict Studies.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why Swarthmore ?
- Why Major in Engineering and Peace & Conflict Studies?
- Being a Lang Scholar
- Advice to Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Luke Neureiter, Swarthmore [0:51]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:54]
- Incredible Experience [4:51]
- Why Swarthmore? [5:51]
- High School Interests [7:14]
- Transition to Swarthmore [9:32]
- Peers - “The Best Part” [12:19]
- Profs - Phenomenal Experience [14:20]
- Campus Life [16:21]
- Activities - DFC, Lang Scholar [19:17]
- Summers [26:00]
- Majors - Engineering & Peace and Conflict Studies [29:43]
- COVID Impact [36:03]
- Advice to Aspirants [41:34]
- Memories: Best Lunches & more [45:25]
Our Guest: Luke Neureiter is a Senior at Swarthmore College pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and Peace & Conflict Studies. Luke is a Lang Scholar.
Memorable Quote: “And Peace Engineering, in my mind, is really about combining both the ideas in Peace and Conflict Studies, and practical Engineering technical skills.” Luke.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- 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, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
51 min - Prof. Sivakumar on Georgia Tech’s CREATE-X: Building Entrepreneurial Confidence.
Episode summary introduction: Prof Raghupathy Sivakumar is the Founding Director of CREATE-X at Georgia Tech.
Prof Sivakumar joins us on our podcast today to share Why CREATE-X was born , the structure, instruction and opportunities it offers, startups it helps launch and how students and faculty benefit from it.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Prof. Sivakumar’s Professional Background
- Origins of CREATE-X
- The Entrepreneurial Confidence Program
- Benefits for Students and Faculty
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Prof Sivakumar, Georgia Tech [0:51]
- Professional Background [2:49]
- Joining Academia [6:22]
- Startup Experiences [7:36]
- Innovation - Siva’s Take [11:14]
- What is CREATE-X? [13:57]
- Origins of CREATE-X [16:14]
- Structure [17:39]
- Student Stats [21:29]
- Faculty Involvement [22:39]
- Cross Disciplinary [26:11]
- Success Stories [28:07]
- Measuring Success [33:17]
- Dealing with Failure [35:51]
- What’s Ahead for CREATE-X [38:38]
- Culture Change at Georgia Tech [40:46]
- Advice for Tomorrow’s Innovators [43:02]
- Wrap Up [46:14]
Our Guest: Raghupathy Sivakumar is Wayne J. Holman Chair Professor with the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech. He is also the Founding Director of CREATE-X at Georgia Tech. Prof. Sivakumar has a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from College of Engineering, Guindy, India, and a Masters and PhD in Computer Science from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
Memorable Quote: “...creating a network of people that you can tap into when you're ready to take the entrepreneurial plunge, right, because entrepreneurship by nature, you are always going to be limited by the resources that you have, right?” Prof Sivakumar advice to tomorrow's innovators & entrepreneurs.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Digest.
- 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, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
49 min - 1 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.