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College Matters. Alma Matters.
By Venkat RamanEducation
College Matters. Alma Matters. episodes
- Columbia University Engineering Professor Lall: A Lifelong Learner.
Episode summary introduction: Professor Lall joined academia so he could keep learning new things, and inspire new generations of students.
Professor Upmanu Lall is the Chair of the Earth and Environmental Engineering Department at Columbia University, NY.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Coming to the US from India
- Joining the Academia
- Being at the forefront of Research on Water, Climate & the Environment
- Being the Chair of the Department
- Advice for High School Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction []
- Professional Background []
- Moving from India to US []
- Evolution to a Hydrologist []
- Professor and Chair at Columbia []
- Teaching and Peer Learning []
- Blended Learning Models []
- Being the Department Chair []
- Advice to High School Students []
- Skills for the Future []
- Close []
Our Guest: Professor Upmanu Lall is the Chair of the Earth and Environmental Engineering Department at Columbia University, NY. Prof Lall is a graduate of IIT Kanpur with a degree in Civil Engineering. He received his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Prof Lall is the Director of the Columbia Water Center and Alan and Carol Silberstein Professor of Engineering.
Memorable Quote: Professor Lall on the promise of Peer Learning under the remote learning construct: “When someone is lecturing, it is one directional assimilation and regurgitation, but when interacting with others the freedom to ask and pace yourself and come back and ask [questions] is much, much higher”.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- 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.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
51 min - College News Fit to Digest. January 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:
- SAT drops Optional Essay and Subject SAT Tests []
- Top Destination for Transfer Students []
- Pandemic Impact on College Applications []
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 []
- Yahoo News []
- US News []
- Cavalier Daily []
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.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
19 min - Segment #1: A Holistic Approach. A Guide to Build a Standout US College Application.
Episode summary introduction: Segment #1 of the 10-Segment Podcast Series to help students in 11th Grade build their best US College Application. Each segment includes an Assignment based on the topic discussed. Subscribe for Assignments.
In this segment we have Athena Lao of Admissionado lead us through the discussion.
In particular, we discuss the following:
- What are US Colleges looking for?
- What makes a “great” applicant?
Our Guest: Athena Lao, is the Head College Mentor at Admissionado, College Counseling firm that works with college-bound students in the US, China and India aspiring to apply to US Colleges. Admissionado has successfully helped students land in the top US universities over the last decade.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction to the Series [0:52]
- Misconception about what Colleges are looking for? [4:54]
- What are Colleges Really looking for? [8:47]
- How should student applications address the Colleges’ needs? [11:29]
- What makes a “great” applicant? [16:56]
- Introducing “SPARC” - A Method showcase an Applicant’s Strengths [19:15]
- “S” [20:10]
- “P” [23:25]
- “A” [26:54]
- “R” [32:25]
- “C” [37:04]
- How Admissions Officers evaluate each Application? [41:57]
- Call to Action - Subscribe for Assignments [48:00]
Memorable Quote: About SPARC. To maximize different components of a student’s college application, “We at Admissionado think that this method is really helpful for students, and you can apply it or use it, for any school you are applying to, not just for Ivy League…”
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.
50 min - College News Fit to Digest. January 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:
- As Pandemic wears on, Colleges struggle to survive []
- Students ask for more transparency during the Pandemic []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- PBS []
- ZDNet []
- VOA News []
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.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
15 min - College News Fit to Digest. December 21, 2020.
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:
- Pluses and Minuses of an Undeclared Major []
- Top Countries that Int’l Students are from []
- Dartmouth has the largest pool of Early Applicants []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- US News []
- ASU []
- The Dartmouth []
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.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
17 min - Joey Fritz on Amherst: Nurturing Passion for Languages, Cultures and Tennis.
Episode summary introduction: Joey grew up with two passions: Tennis and Languages. Tennis enabled him to go to Amherst as a scholar-athlete and pursue his love for Languages and Cultures.
Joey Fritz is a graduate of Amherst College with a Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why Amherst?
- Being a Scholar-Athlete
- Progressive Student Body
- Love for Languages
- Advice for Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction []
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights []
- Looking back at Amherst []
- Why Amherst? []
- A passion for Tennis []
- The Student-Athlete Challenge []
- Transition to College Tennis []
- Smooth Academic Transition []
- Diverse Student Body []
- The Profs, The Teaching []
- Love for Languages []
- Group Living []
- Socially Progressive Student Body []
- Summer Pursuits []
- Samuel Wallace Brown Scholarship []
- An Amherst Redo? []
- Counsel to Aspiring Students []
- Tip: What’s Your Next Move? []
Our Guest: Joey Fritz is a graduate of Amherst College with a Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies.
Memorable Quote: Joey on managing time with tennis and studies: “You want something done, give it to a busy person”.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- 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.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
38 min - Yale Alum Ike Wilson: Learning Languages, Studying in Europe and Lasting Relationships.
Episode summary introduction: Ike loves languages. He studied French in middle school and Spanish in High School. He loves music. Ike wanted to go to a college that would allow him to pursue Languages, American Culture, and things international.
Ike Wilson is a graduate of Yale University with a Bachelor’s degree in French.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why Yale?
- Adjusting to Academics at Yale
- Residential Colleges and Activities
- Study Abroad in Paris
- Advice for Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction [0:34]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:27]
- “Yale was great!” [5:15]
- Yale: “I made the right choice” [8:04]
- Varied Interests in High School [12:02]
- Transition to Yale [15:10]
- Peers: Smart, Down-to-Earth [24:29]
- Engaging Lectures [27:20]
- Residential College Life [30:05]
- Being DJ, Writer on Campus [40:22]
- Summers - Coaching, Teaching, Traveling [42:34]
- Semester Abroad in Paris [47:39]
- Yale Redo. What would you do differently? [52:29]
- Advice to Applicants [54:47]
- Fond Memories: The People [59:22]
Our Guest: Ike Wilson is a graduate of Yale University with a Bachelor’s degree in French. Ike is currently pursuing a Master’s in Journalism at New York University.
Memorable Quote: Ike on his Yale years - “With hindsight, I was stressing out about things that did not matter”.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- 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.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
1 hr 3 min - Mike Mochizuki on Brown University: An Undergraduate Journey to Explore and Discover.
Episode summary introduction: Mike chose Brown because it would allow him to check out and explore a variety of courses in his bid to find the subject that would excite him the most.
Mike Mochizuki is a graduate of Brown University with a Bachelor’s degree in History.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Why Brown?
- About Academic Exploration
- Vibrant Student Body
- Advice for Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction [0:39]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:27]
- “College is a Pretty Strange Time” [5:10]
- Why Brown? [7:58]
- High School Interests [9:54]
- Adjusting to Brown [11:37]
- Collaborative Classmates [15:37]
- Campus Life [19:37]
- The Brown Derbies & Other Campus Activities [21:17]
- Diverse Summer Pursuits [27:31]
- Film Production Bug [32:00]
- Back to the Future - to Brown! [36:22]
- Advice to Students: Convey Excitement [39:55]
- Memories: Being on Brown Campus [45:51]
Our Guest: Mike Mochizuki is a graduate of Brown University with a Bachelor’s degree in History. Mike subsequently got an MBA from Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University.
Memorable Quote: “College is a Strange time”.
Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- 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.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
51 min - College News Fit to Digest. December 14, 2020.
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:
- Virtual Semesters Continue into Spring []
- Lifestyle Tips for US College Students []
- Colleges where more Alumni Donate []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- EdScoop []
- Stars and Stripes []
- London Daily Post []
- Yahoo News []
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.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
17 min - College News Fit to Digest. December 7, 2020.
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:
- Fall 2021 Deadline Extensions []
- US Colleges looking for $120B in Aid []
- OPT Restored []
- Ranking Int’l College Destinations []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- VOA News []
- Forbes []
- CEO World []
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.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- 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.