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College Matters. Alma Matters.
By Venkat RamanEducation
College Matters. Alma Matters. episodes
- 25% Students Delay College in College News Fit to Digest. April 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:
- 25% Students Delayed College during COVID []
- CA Community Colleges in Trouble []
- Colleges Divided over Vaccine Requirement []
- EU Applications to UK Colleges drop []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- CNBC []
- EdSource []
- Chicago Sun Times []
- University World 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.
14 min - Anna Li of University of Chicago: Sociology Major to Pastry Cook.
Episode summary introduction: Anna Li started baking regularly when she was six. She continued all through the end of high school. She picked up baking again during her sophomore year, distributing cookies at the library or starting meetings with her baked goods.
Anna Li is a graduate of the University of Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- Choosing Northwestern
- Transferring to U of Chicago
- Passion for Baking
- Sociology and Baking
- Advice to Aspiring Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Anna Li, U of Chicago []
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights []
- “Loved U Chicago” []
- Choosing Northwestern []
- High School Interests []
- Transition to Northwestern []
- Transferring out of Northwestern []
- Difficult Transition to U Chicago []
- Higher Emphasis on Academics []
- “Nerdy” Peers []
- Wonderful Profs []
- Campus Living and Traditions []
- Philosophy, Theater and Chicago Skyline []
- Transfer Students Director, Campus Tour Guide []
- Summers at Law Firms []
- Baking since Age 6 []
- Thesis: Cuisine spills into Sociology []
- U Chicago Redo? []
- Advice to Aspirants: College Fit []
- “Do What you love” []
Our Guest: Anna Li is a graduate of The University of Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Memorable Quote: “...maybe I don't want to work hard, play hard, maybe I want to work really hard and play medium.” Anna Li on her decision to transfer to University of Chicago.
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.
56 min - Financial Aid Negotiable in College News Fit to Digest. April 12, 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:
- Longer Selective Colleges Waitlists []
- CA Universities Evaluate Admissions more closely []
- Syracuse University partners in China []
- Financial Aid Packages Negotiable []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- Marketplace []
- EdSource []
- Daily Orange []
- Money []
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.
14 min - Sanjeet Rangarajan on Vanderbilt: BioMedical Engineering, Starting Model UN, and Snowball Fights.
Episode summary introduction: Sanjeet grew up in the Detroit area loving math, science and engineering. When time came to choose a college, he was drawn to Vanderbilt because the medical school was also on campus.
Sanjeet Rangarajan is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor’s degree in BioMedical Engineering.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why Vanderbilt?
- BioMedical Engineering
- Model UN at Vanderbilt
- The Road to Med School
- Advice to Aspiring Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Sanjeet Rangarajan, Vanderbilt [0:44]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:53]
- The Vanderbilt Experience [5:27]
- Why Vanderbilt? [8:33]
- High School Interests [12:32]
- Transition to Vanderbilt [14:17]
- Collaborative Peers [20:39]
- Passionate Profs [23:16]
- Vibrant Campus Life [25:00]
- Summers in Auto Industry [29:45]
- Majoring in BioMedical Engineering [33:50]
- Why a Master’s before Med School? [37:12]
- Vanderbilt Redo? [40:58]
- Advice to Aspiring Students [42:57]
- Vanderbilt Memories & Friendships [46:15]
Our Guest: Sanjeet Rangarajan is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor’s degree in BioMedical Engineering and a Master’s degree in BioMedical Engineering. Sanjeet then earned his MD in Medicine from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Sanjeet now serves on the faculty of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery.
Memorable Quote: “I think everybody creates their own path, there's no wrong path, there's no wrong 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.
51 min - Local Economies miss Int’l Students in College News Fit to Digest. April 5, 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:
- Campus Cleaning Crews Celebrated []
- Local Economies miss Int’l Students []
- Chinese Students in limbo[]
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 []
- Global Atlanta []
- University World News []
- PIE 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.
13 min - Andrew Maguire on Decoding the Hidden Curriculum in the College Admissions Process.
Episode summary introduction: Andrew Maguire’s upcoming book - Hidden Curriculum, shines light on the norms, behavior, language and unstated expectations that certain types of students are unaware of, in the college admissions process.
Andrew joins us on our podcast to tell us why he is writing the Hidden Curriculum, how he is framing the discussion and the types of solutions to teach the hidden code.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- What is Hidden Curriculum?
- The Hidden Code in College Admissions
- Ways to Address the Inequities
- Takeaways for Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Andrew Maguire, Author Hidden Curriculum [0:46]
- What is Hidden Curriculum? [2:40]
- College: Gateway to Economic Mobility [6:20]
- Hidden Code in College Admissions [7:37]
- Standardized Test Inequities [10:58]
- College Essays [15:02]
- Making a College List [19:40]
- Financial Aid Policies [23:40]
- Making it Right [29:01]
- Who should drive the Change? [33:28]
- Resources for Students [35:11]
- Pointers for Int’l Students [37:52]
Our Guest: Andrew Maguire is the author of the upcoming book Hidden Curriculum. Andrew is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies and Psychology. Andrew then graduated with a Master’s in Public Administration from New York University.
Memorable Quote: “But people get ahead, with maybe equal merit to other applicants, because they understand the strategies of how to apply...”.
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.
43 min - Virtual Campus Tours in College News Fit to Digest. March 29, 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:
- Deferred Students’ Challenges []
- Vaccines are Coming! []
- Virtual Campus Tours to Stay? []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- Hechinger Report []
- USA Today []
- WGRZ []
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.
15 min - Segment #4 on College Essay: What to Write? A Guide to Build a Standout US College Application.
Episode summary introduction: Segment #4 of the 10-Segment Podcast Series to help students in 11th Grade build standout US College Applications. This segment describes a framework for students to figure out what to write in their college essay. Subscribe for Assignments.
In this segment, Athena Lao and Rob Franklin of Admissionado lead us through the discussion.
In particular, we discuss the following:
- What is a College Essay?
- What to write in a College Essay?
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to the Segment #4 [1:14]
- What is a College Essay? [4:48]
- What to Write? [9:28]
- Pick 2 Traits or Attributes [10:22]
- Substantiating Narrative &4 Buckets [11:45]
- Example: Ian [14:27]
- Inciting Event [16:58]
- Investing in your Passion [18:16]
- Tangible Outcomes [19:55]
- Larger Impact and Tying Back [21:05]
- Essay: What Next? [22:23]
- Example 1: Annie [23:01]
- Example 2: Debi [25:34]
- Gobi Dasu on his Stanford Essay [28:12]
- Call 2 Action - Subscribe for Assignments [31:09]
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.
- Rob Franklin is a Mentor at Admissionado.
Memorable Quote: “If you don’t have a good ‘What?’, you won’t be able to get to the next part…”
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
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.
33 min - Eric Yu on U of Michigan: Computer Science, MPowered Entrepreneurships and Coffee Chats.
Episode summary introduction: Eric was quite sure he wanted to get a business degree in college. In fact his hobby in high school was making money buying iPhones for cheap from Craigslist, and flipping them for a profit.
Eric Yu is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why U Michigan?
- Why Computer Science?
- Involvement in Student Organizations
- Passion for Entrepreneurship
- Advice to Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Eric Yu, U of Michigan []
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights []
- Overall Experience []
- Why U Michigan? []
- High School Interests []
- Transition to U Michigan []
- Diverse Peers []
- Profs []
- Dorms []
- MPowered, Student Orgs []
- Summers []
- Majoring in CS []
- U Michigan Redo? []
- Advice to Applicants []
- Memories of Friendships []
Our Guest: Eric Yu is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
Memorable Quote: “How quickly the 4 years pass”.
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.
40 min - College News Fit to Digest. March 22, 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:
- Inequalities in College Applications []
- Fiske Guide to drop SAT/ACT Scores []
- Temple U students study abroad during Pandemic []
- Tufts in-class Program in China []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- CNN []
- Inside Higher Ed []
- Inquirer []
- Tufts Daily []
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.
14 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.