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College Matters. Alma Matters.
By Venkat RamanEducation
College Matters. Alma Matters. episodes
- Segment #7 on College Selection: Narrowing the List. A Guide to Build a Standout US College Application.
Episode summary introduction: Segment #7 of the 10-Segment Podcast Series to help students in 11th Grade build standout US College Applications. This segment tells students how to narrow the list of colleges to apply to. Subscribe for Assignments.
In this segment, Athena Lao and Nick Wyville of Admissionado lead us through the discussion.
In particular, we discuss the following:
- 5 Key Questions to consider for College Selection
- 3 Case Studies that provide direction to Narrow the College List
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Segment #7 [0:27]
- 5 Common Questions [1:59]
- Case Study #1: Ian’s Story - STEM [20:10]
- Case Study #2: Amina’s Story - Business [27:45]
- Case Study #3: Lily’s Story - Financial Aid [37:18]
- Call 2 Action - Subscribe for Assignments [43:55]
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.
- Nick Wyville is a Mentor at Admissionado.
Memorable Quote: “...the question should be, are you more excited about the school the more you read...”, Athena Lao on Narrowing College Lists.
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.
46 min - Fall 2021 College Enrollment in Danger in College News Fit to Digest. August 2, 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:
- Community Colleges provide Lifeline to millions []
- Students may Opt out of Fall 2021 []
- California State U require vaccinations []
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 []
- CNBC []
- EdSource []
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.
11 min - Jeet Raut on UI Urbana-Champaign: Cognitive Psychology, Quiz Bowl, and International Classmates.
Episode summary introduction: In school, Jeet played the cello. He did Quiz Bowl. He was into science and technology clubs - robotics and astronomy being his favorite. He also played tennis in high school. Jeet, to put it mildly, had a hectic high school life.
Jeet Samarth Raut is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Psychology.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why UI Urbana-Champaign
- Majoring in Cognitive Psychology
- Diverse Student Body
- Advice to Aspiring Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Jeet Raut, UI Urbana-Champaign [0:51]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:32]
- Overall Experience [4:11]
- Why UIUC? [4:51]
- High School Interests [5:45]
- Transition to UIUC [7:01]
- Strong Peer Base [9:52]
- Top Notch Professors [11:49]
- Nice Dorms [13:21]
- Quiz Bowl [14:56]
- Summers [17:11]
- Majoring in Cognitive Psychology [19:47]
- UIUC’s Impact on Career [21:23]
- Advice to Aspiring Students [23:26]
- Memories with Friends [25:26]
Our Guest: Jeet Samarth Raut is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Psychology. Jeet later earned a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media at Columbia University.
Memorable Quote: “...you know, the group of people I met there was, has really influenced a lot of my life and what I've done and where I've ended up.” Jeet on UIUC.
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.
Recommended: STEM Podcasts.
30 min - What is Innovation? With Prof. James Oliver, Director of Student Innovation Center, ISU.
Episode summary introduction: Prof Oliver joins us on our podcast to give us a Primer on Innovation. We cover, What is Innovation, When to Innovate and The Process of Innovating. He offers guidance to high schoolers on how to prepare and develop the skills needed to become tomorrow’s innovators.
Professor James Oliver, is the University Professor and Director of Student Innovation Center at Iowa State University, Ames Iowa.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- What is Innovation?
- When to Innovate?
- Criteria to Pivot
- Skills Needed to be an Innovator
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Prof. James Oliver, ISU [0:49]
- What is Innovation? [2:05]
- Deciding When to Innovate [6:09]
- A Virtual Reality Story [13:06]
- Pivot or Walk Away? [16:03]
- Pivoting from Healthcare to EdTech [19:34]
- Getting Ready to be an Innovator [22:45]
Our Guest: Professor James Oliver is the Inaugural Director of the Student Innovation Center at Iowa State University. Prof. Oliver was awarded the title of University Professor in 2012. Prof. Oliver has a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Union College, and a Masters and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Resources: Podcast with Prof James Oliver on ISU's Student Innovation Center.
Memorable Quote: “People don't be afraid to be the new person in this, whatever it is volleyball or, or theater or you know, all these activities, just try them.”
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.
29 min - Mixed Reaction to Test Optional in College News Fit to Digest. July 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:
- Mixed reaction to Test Optional []
- Financial Aid Applications Drop []
- UCs make record number of Admissions []
- Int’l Students & Need Blind Aid []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- Inside Higher Ed []
- USNews []
- University of California []
- US News (Need Blind) []
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.
13 min - Prof. James Oliver on ISU’s Student Innovation Center: Bold Experiment
Episode summary introduction: Professor James Oliver is the Director of the Student Innovation Center at Iowa State University, Ames Iowa.
Prof. Oliver joins us on our podcast today to share Why the Innovation Center was created, the unique programs, activities and opportunities it offers, and how students, faculty and yes, even High Schoolers benefit from it .
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Prof. James Oliver’s Professional Background
- Origins of the Student Center for Innovation
- Programs and Activities in the Center
- Benefits for Students and Faculty
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Prof James Oliver [0:36]
- Prof. James Oliver - Background [2:19]
- Joining Academia [7:17]
- 3D Visualization Startup [8:45]
- Internet Music Startup [10:19]
- Building a Successful Interdisciplinary Graduate Program [11:35]
- Birth of The Student Innovation Center [13:44]
- Center’s Programs for Students, Faculty, High School Students [21:39]
- Measuring Center’s Success [25:58]
- Wrap Up [29:44]
Our Guest: Professor James Oliver is the Inaugural Director of the Student Innovation Center at Iowa State University. Prof. Oliver was awarded the title of University Professor in 2012. Prof. Oliver has a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Union College, and a Masters and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Memorable Quote: “...there's a lot of really unique aspects about this building, but it's much more than a building. I like to talk about it in terms of [a] vehicle for culture change here inside the university.”
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.
32 min - “Drop SAT/ACT Scores in US News Ranking” in College News Fit to Digest. July 19, 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:
- "Drop SAT/ACT Scores in US News Ranking" []
- University of California to provide vaccines on campus []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- Inside Higher Ed []
- LA Weekly []
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.
16 min - Jemina Bouma Perez on Rice: Cognitive Science, Passion for Education, and Culture of Care.
Episode summary introduction: When Jemina was looking at colleges, her high school counselor suggested she look at Rice University. Jemina had not heard of Rice, but all that changed after visiting the campus.
Jemina Bouma Perez is a graduate of Rice University with a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- Choosing Rice University
- Majoring in Cognitive Science
- A Passion for Teaching & Education
- Advice to Aspiring Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Jemina Bouma Perez, Rice [0:14]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:45]
- Rice - Tight knit Community [5:03]
- Why Rice? [6:29]
- High School Interests [9:00]
- Transition to Rice [9:51]
- Peers - “Happiest Students” [11:47]
- Engaged Professors [13:44]
- Plethora of Clubs [15:48]
- Teach for China [17:40]
- Summers [19:59]
- Passion for Teaching, Culture of Care [24:01]
- Majoring in Cognitive Science [26:49]
- Rice Redo [29:54]
- Impact of Rice on Career [32:15]
- Advice to Aspirants - “Don’t be shy!” [33:57]
- Memories: Beer Bike & Other Tales [36:04]
Our Guest: Jemina Bouma Perez is a graduate of Rice University with a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science.
Memorable Quote: “...education is just a cornerstone for, for people to have the tools and resources to, you know, better themselves, and really just become aware, or have access to things that they wouldn't have had before.”
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.
42 min - Michelle Setiawan of Sekolah Lentera Indonesia: Guiding Students to Colleges Abroad.
Episode summary introduction: This episode sheds light on college-bound students at Sekolah Lentera Indonesia, a K-12 school, who are looking to study abroad.
Michelle Setiawan, who is a College Counselor at the school, gives us an overview of the school, the students, their college choices, and how Michelle & the counseling team help students navigate the college application process.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- About Sekolah Lentera Indonesia (School) and Students
- Where do SLI students go to study abroad?
- College Counseling
- How students choose the destination country
- Resources available to Counselors
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Michelle Setiawan, Counselor at SLI [0:36]
- SLI School & Students [4:18]
- Areas of College Study and US Destination Colleges [7:02]
- Counseling at SLI [8:59]
- Why do students pick the US? [12:59]
- Resources available to Counselors [14:53]
- The US College Application [16:31]
- Impact of COVID [23:01]
- Close: Uncertainties [25:46]
Our Guest: Dian Michelle Setiawan is University Guidance Counselor at Sekolah Lentera Indonesia (SLI). Michelle has been a part of the SLI university guidance counselor team for 3 years. Michelle got her undergraduate education in Seattle University, Seattle, Washington.
Memorable Quote: “So sometimes lining up students and the parents, expectations of things are hard. And, yeah, that's probably one of the things that I am still struggling with.”
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.
31 min - What is a Community College? “A Smarter Option”, says Dr Miloni Gandhi of Foothill College, California.
Episode summary introduction: This podcast is to serve as a primer on Community Colleges in the US.
Dr Miloni Gandhi, Adjunct Faculty at Foothill College in California tells us why US and International students should seriously consider applying to them.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- What is a Community College?
- Why should a student consider Community College?
- How do you Select Community Colleges to Apply to?
- How do you Apply?
- Advice to Students once they get there
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Dr. Miloni Gandhi, Foothill College, CA [0:39]
- What are Community Colleges? [2:49]
- Why is Miloni teaching at a Community College? [11:22]
- Why should a Student consider Community Colleges? [12:04]
- How to Pick Community Colleges to apply to? [18:02]
- Cost of Studying at a Community College [26:18]
- How to Apply [27:32]
- Advice: Once you are admitted [31:42]
- Close: Community Colleges are a Smarter Option [37:11]
Our Guest: Our Guest: Miloni Gandhi Adjunct Faculty at Foothill College, California, is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) with Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies and Geography. Miloni then graduated with a MA and PhD in Social Sciences and Comparative Education from UCLA. Miloni can be reached at [email protected].
Memorable Quote: “And you'll find that the Community College Faculty is on par with a lot of the faculty at four year colleges. We have faculty who go on Fulbright grants for teaching, we have faculty who do incredible research”.
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.
42 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.