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College Matters. Alma Matters.
By Venkat RamanEducation
College Matters. Alma Matters. episodes
- Sujata Gupta and Science Journalism: An Unusual Journey via Japan, Park Service to Johns Hopkins and Beyond.
Episode summary introduction: Sujata Gupta is Social Sciences Reporter at Science News. Sujata is an alum of Cornell University and Johns Hopkins.
In this podcast, Sujata gives us a peek into the world of Science Journalism, and how one goes about becoming a Science Journalist.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- What is Science Journalism?
- How do you become a Science Journalist?
- How to distill a Study into a News Story?
- Advice to Aspiring Journalists
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Sujata Gupta, Social Science Journalist [0:57]
- Professional Background [3:29]
- Johns Hopkins’ Science Journalism [7:35]
- Journalism under Duress [10:16]
- Arduous Route to Journalism [11:44]
- The Freelance Mode [13:43]
- How a Study becomes a News Story [19:08]
- Advice for Aspiring Journalists [27:00]
- The Realities of being Journalist [34:06]
Our Guest: Sujata Gupta is Social Sciences Reporter at Science News. Sujata graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Masters degree from Johns Hopkins University in Science Writing.
Memorable Quote: Sujata Gupta: “Good to think of my career as a spiral, what we hope is going up. Sometimes, [it’s] hard to tell when you are in the middle of a spiral”.
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.
41 min - Conor Walsh on Harvard: Linguistics, Homeless Shelter, and Buddhist History Trek in the Himalayas.
Episode summary introduction: Conor studied French and Chinese in High School. He loved languages. Grammar, the sounds. Literature and the culture. In College, he wanted more.
Conor Walsh is a graduate of Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why Harvard?
- Love for Languages
- Homeless Shelter & Summer Academy
- The Himalayan Trek
- Advice to Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Conor Walsh, Harvard [0:53]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:38]
- Harvard - “Ginormous Waterfall” [5:12]
- Why Harvard? [6:32]
- High School Interests - Languages [8:35]
- Transition to Harvard - Managing Choices [11:04]
- Peers - “Prodigiously Intelligent” [15:07]
- High Quality Profs [20:16]
- Dorms - Powerful Social Experience [22:45]
- Campus Life - Something for Everyone [27:12]
- Homeless Shelter, Summer Academy, Freshman Pre-Orientation [30:52]
- Summers - To the Himalayas and Chennai [36:55]
- Passion for Linguistics [40:56]
- Senior Thesis on Irish Language Policy [45:14]
- Harvard’s Impact on Career [52:03]
- Why MBA? [56:40]
- Harvard Redo? [59:57]
- Advice to Aspirants [1:01:42]
- “Loud, Fun and Messy!” [1:06:20]
Our Guest: Conor Walsh is a graduate of Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics. Conor went on to get his Master of Arts in Language Studies from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Conor subsequently got his MBA from Harvard Business School.
Memorable Quote: “And it's an absolute cacophony, which is just how I like my experience - loud, fun and messy.” Conor Walsh about the day Freshmen are told which Residential House they are placed into.
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 11 min - College News Fit to Digest. March 15, 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:
- Chinese Students Slow to Come back []
- 25% of US Colleges may have to close []
- 13 US Colleges with most Merit 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]
- Chronicle []
- Yahoo News []
- Yahoo 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 - Christian Tanja on UCLA: First-Genner, Career in Education, and Lifelong Bruin.
Episode summary introduction: In High School, Christian was considering going to a Community College. He would be the first in his family to attend college. His English Teacher, however, persuaded him to consider 4-year colleges.
Christian Tanja is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor’s degree in PsychoBiology and a minor in Education Studies.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why UCLA?
- Choosing a Major
- Marching Band
- Passion for Education
- Advice to Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Christian Tanja, UCLA []
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights []
- The UCLA Imprint[]
- Why UCLA? []
- High School Interests []
- Tough Transition to UCLA []
- Diverse Classmates []
- Teaching and Profs []
- “Major” Struggles []
- Campus Dorms []
- Marching Band, Service Frat, Work Study []
- Summers []
- Choosing Major & Minor []
- Passion for College Admission & Counseling []
- UCLA Redo? []
- Advice to Aspiring Students []
- The Traditions at UCLA []
Our Guest: Christian Tanja is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor’s degree in PsychoBiology and a minor in Education Studies. Christian then graduated with a Master’s in International Education Development from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Memorable Quote: “A Major is not Career”.
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 6 min - College News Fit to Digest. March 8, 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 Students’ Pandemic Learnings []
- Hard for Int’l Students to Get Jobs []
- US Colleges Fall 2021 Reopening Plans []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- Daily Free Press []
- CGTN []
- Daily Free Press []
- Fox19 []
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 - Alana Weiss on Pomona: Molecular Biology, Ballroom Dancing, and Fountaining.
Episode summary introduction: Alana’s father had gone to Pomona. When Alana started looking at Colleges, she was looking for a small student body with resources to nurture her varied interests, including dance - something she was very passionate about. Pomona checked all those boxes.
Alana Weiss is a Junior at Pomona College, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- Why Pomona ?
- Why Major in Molecular Biology?
- Passion for Dance
- Advice to Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Alana Weiss, Pomona []
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights []
- Positive Pomona Experience[]
- Why Pomona? []
- High School Interests []
- Transition to Pomona []
- Super Smart Classmates []
- Amazing Profs []
- Dorms and Food []
- Dance, Tutoring, Peer Mentoring []
- Picking the Major []
- Summers of Research []
- COVID Impact on College []
- Advice to Applicants []
- Birthday Tradition at Pomona []
Our Guest: Alana Weiss is a Junior at Pomona College, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology.
Memorable Quote: “When you are online, you are not going anywhere.” Alana on virtual classes during the Pandemic.
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 - Doris Huang on Harvard: Grateful, Cross-Pollination of Ideas, and An Evening of Champions.
Episode summary introduction: Doris did well in Biology in High School, so she thought she would pursue the same in College. In college, she quickly realized that biology labs were not her thing, and that she is more of a people person.
Doris Huang is a graduate of Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Government.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- Why Harvard ?
- Majoring in Government
- Model Congress and An Evening with Champions
- Shaping the Future
- Advice to Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Doris Huang, Harvard []
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights []
- “Grateful” for the Harvard Experience[]
- Why Harvard? []
- Interests in High School []
- Transition to Harvard []
- Peers - Interesting and Interested[]
- Figuring out Majors []
- Profs - Star Power []
- Dorms []
- Model Congress and Evening of Champions []
- Summers []
- Shaping the Future []
- Harvard Redo? []
- Advice to Applicants - Authenticity[]
- Memories - Born out of Interactions []
Our Guest: Doris Huang is a graduate of Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Government. Doris then got an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Memorable Quote: “Harvard students are Interesting and Interested.”
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 3 min - Episode #100: Why I Picked My College!
Episode summary introduction: To mark this special episode, I decided to go through the tens of College Alumni podcasts and select the overriding reason they picked their college.
The reasons fall into 6 different categories.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introducing Episode #100 [0:22]
- Fit [2:40]
- Top College [14:10]
- Best College for a Specific Interest [19:27]
- Freedom to Explore [27:26]
- Location [33:18]
- Financial Aid [37:04]
Our Guest: College Alumni featured in our podcast over the last year.
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.
43 min - Miloni Gandhi on UCLA: International Development, Approachable Professors and Bruin Spirit.
Episode summary introduction: Miloni wanted to go college in a “real city” like say New York City. Unfortunately for Miloni, her parents were not for it. They wanted her to be in Los Angeles.
Miloni Gandhi is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) with Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies and Geography.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- Why UCLA ?
- Focus on International Study
- Campus Activities
- Year-long Study in Madrid
- Advice to Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to Miloni Gandhi, UCLA [1:02]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [2:03]
- UCLA - “Vast Campus”[5:39]
- Why UCLA? [7:57]
- High School Interests [9:17]
- Rocky Start at UCLA [11:21]
- Diverse Classmates [14:40]
- Approachable Profs [19:47]
- Dorm Living [20:16]
- Vibrant Campus Life [22:51]
- Junior in Madrid [28:42]
- Summers [33:03]
- On Majoring in Int’l Dev Studies and Geography [35:11]
- UCLA Role in Shaping Career [37:52]
- UCLA Redo? [39:39]
- Advice to Aspirants [41:39]
- “Bruin Spirit” [46:32]
Our Guest: Miloni Gandhi 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: “Professors are approachable if you approach 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.
52 min - Segment #3: Application Strategy. A Guide to Build a Standout US College Application.
Episode summary introduction: Segment #3 of the 10-Segment Podcast Series to help students in 11th Grade build standout US College Applications. This segment provides a process for students to develop the best strategy for their applications. 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 Working Vision?
- How to Create your own Working Vision
- How to embed the Working Vision in the College Application.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to the Segment #3 [2:08]
- Step 1: What is a Working Vision? [5:21]
- Purpose of Working Vision [6:30]
- How to Create a Working Vision [7:44]
- Academics: Creating a Working Vision [9:17]
- ECs: Creating a Working Vision [10:31]
- Personal: Creating a Working Vision [11:38]
- Example Profile & Working Vision [13:37]
- Step 2: First, The Numbers [19:33]
- Step 2: Next, Extracurriculars [21:57]
- Step 2: Then, Essays [23:04]
- Step 2: Finally, Letters of Recommendations [25:26]
- Segment #3 Assignment [28:04]
- Call 2 Action - Subscribe for Assignments [29:16]
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: “I am bound for future success because...”
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.
31 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.