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College Matters. Alma Matters.
By Venkat RamanEducation
College Matters. Alma Matters. episodes
- College News Fit to Digest. October 26, 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:
- Int’l Students will buoy US Colleges Financially []
- COVID-19 may make it easier to get into some US Colleges []
- Average ACT Test Scores dip []
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 []
- CNBC []
- The Hill []
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 - Expert Tips before You Submit College Applications 2021.
Episode summary introduction: The calendar is racing towards the end of the year, which means the College Applications deadlines are fast approaching. COVID-19 has changed the contours of the College Applications. In this podcast, with the help of expertise from Admissions Officers and Counselors, we offer some tips before you submit the College Applications.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- What are Colleges looking for in their students? [1:27]
- Second Look at your Target Colleges [3:34]
- Applying to Test Optional Colleges [7:09]
- How to Handle COVID-19 on the college application [12:04]
- Applying for Financial Aid [14:59]
Our Guests:
- Lisa Przekop, Director, Office of Admissions at University of California Santa Barbara.
- Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
- Nitin Jain, Co-founder Oncourse, Gurgaon India.
- Athena Lao, Head College Mentor at Admissionado, USA.
- Cornell LeSane is the VP of Enrollment and Dean of Admissions at Allegheny College.
- Benjamin Stern, Founder and CEO of IvyAchievement, USA.
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.
20 min - College News Fit to Digest. October 12, 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:
- 5-Tips to Applying for College during COVID-19 []
- Spring Semesters starting to go online as well []
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 of Rochester []
- DCIST []
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.
13 min - 5-Tips to Applying for College during COVID-19 []
- Dean of Admissions Cornell LeSane on the Historic, Innovative Allegheny College & Spotting Diamonds in the Rough.
Episode summary introduction: Allegheny College is a historic, private liberal arts college in Western Pennsylvania. Over 200 years since its inception, Allegheny is now being recognized as an innovative school and nurtures students who are trying to figure their future.
Cornell LeSane, Dean of Admissions at Allegheny College provides his views and insights on the school, students and applications. Join the Allegheny College Mailing List for updates.
In particular, we discuss the following with Cornell:
- About Allegheny College
- Recruiting a class
- COVID-19 Impact
- Advice to Applicants
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Allegheny College - Historic & Innovative []
- The Allegheny Students! []
- Students over the last couple of decades []
- Experience at CMU versus Allegheny []
- Admission Philosophies - CMU vs Allegheny []
- COVID-19 Impact []
- Applicants: Explain. Don’t Complain. []
- One Application for Admission & Financial Aid []
Our Guest: Cornell LeSane is the VP of Enrollment and Dean of Admissions at Allegheny College. Cornell has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from Hampton University and Master’s degree in Higher Education from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).
Memorable Quote: “Explain. Don’t Complain.”, Cornell LeSane tells applicants for Fall 2021 about their COVID-19 upended Spring Semester.
Episode Transcript: Please visit this episode’s transcript.
Calls-to-action:
- Join Allegheny College Mailing List for updates.
- To Make a List of Colleges to Explore Visit almamatters.io and signup.
- Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor.
- Email your comments or questions on this episode to [email protected].
- For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.
39 min - About Allegheny College
- Priya Chandrasekaran tailored her college experience at University of Pittsburgh.
Episode summary introduction: Priya wasn’t ready to commit to a major before college, and University of Pittsburgh (“Pitt”) gave her lots of options to try on, before she made a decision.
Priya Chandrasekaran is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Psychology and a minor in Sociology.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- Why Pitt?
- The Academic and Extracurricular Resources on campus
- Insights for college-bound Students
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Introduction [0:11]
- Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [0:52]
- Lots of Options at ‘Pitt” [4:45]
- Why Pitt? [6:46]
- High School to College Transition [8:51]
- Politically-aware Peers [10:31]
- The Classes and Profs [14:34]
- Settling on a Major [16:27]
- Dorms - Best Memories [18:51]
- Rich and Diverse Campus Life [22:20]
- Summer Projects in Asia and Middle East [25:19]
- The UG Thesis - RE Gig Economy [31:57]
- Advice Aspiring Students [36:09]
- Memories...Fond Memories [40:01]
Our Guest: Priya Chandrasekaran is a graduate of University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Psychology, and a minor in Sociology. Priya currently works in Business Development at a startup.
Memorable Quote: Priya to applicants “Apply to different types of schools.”
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.
44 min - Why Pitt?
- College News Fit to Digest. October 5, 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:
- Dorm RAs act as COVID-19 Cops []
- Liberal Arts Colleges making a play for Int’l Students []
- Tips to Manage Money during COVID-19 []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- USNews []
- EducationDive []
- Key October Dates for College Applicants []
- Cornell Sun []
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 - Dorm RAs act as COVID-19 Cops []
- Princeton Alum Avinash Nayak: Challenging Academics, Students’ Diversity, Bicker and Lots of Clubs.
Episode summary introduction: For every student, there is a college out there. The challenge, as we know, is figuring out which one. It turned out that for Avinash Nayak, Princeton had his number. Avinash went to study Computer Science and Cognitive Science at Princeton.
Avinash gives us an in-depth account of his undergraduate experience at Princeton University.
In particular, we discuss the following with him:
- Choosing Princeton
- Navigating Princeton as an undergraduate
- Advice for Students applying to Princeton
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Princeton - A Diverse Place [2:06]
- Why Princeton? [4:13]
- High School to a Challenging Environment [6:27]
- Diverse Peers & Accomplished Profs [12:38]
- “Lucky” with Dorms, Eating Club Bicker [18:31]
- Lots of Campus Clubs [24:23]
- Summer Internships [31:32]
- Advice to Applicants and the Admitted [36:19]
- Fondest Memories: The Conversations with People [43:07]
Our Guest: Avinash Nayak graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science & minor in Cognitive Science from Princeton University.
Memorable Quote: “An Opportunity can present itself from, seemingly nowhere” Avinash, on landing an internship (he calls it “Incredible fortune”) for the summer after his Freshman year, after applying to 50 companies over 5 months.
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.
48 min - College News Fit to Digest. September 28, 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:
- US College Fall Enrollment down [1:18]
- Calendar Alert: Fall 2021 Application [4:37]
- U of California Dorms Shutdown cost $1B! [6:13]
- U of California to appeal “Test Blind” Court Ruling [8:36]
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- Yahoo Finance [1:18]
- Times of San Diego [6:13]
- Key October Dates for College Applicants [4:37]
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.
12 min - US College Fall Enrollment down [1:18]
- Engineer turned Counselor Shveta Bagade: For Every Student, there is a College out there.
Episode summary introduction: There are over 5000 colleges and universities in the US. Each college and university offers a unique experience. A College Counselor’s role is to help find the right college for you.
Shveta Bagade is a College Counselor based in the Silicon Valley in California, shares her experiences and the philosophy that drives her.
In particular, we discuss the following with her:
- How Shveta got into Counseling
- Key Tenets and Elements of her counseling
- COVID-19 Fallout: For Students, Admissions and Counseling
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Counseling: Casual Start to Full Trot []
- The Experience so far []
- Success: Helping Students find their place []
- Types of Students []
- Getting Started with a Student []
- Managing Expectations []
- Upended by COVID-19 []
- Changing Face of College Admissions []
- Counseling in the New Normal []
- “Students are Resilient” []
- “Every Student has a College for them” []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade is a College Counselor in Silicon Valley, California for the last 5 years. Shveta's students have been accepted into prestigious public colleges like the University of California colleges as well as elite private universities and liberal arts colleges.
Memorable Quote: “The foundation of every [College] Application is GPA, Scores and Extracurriculars.”
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.
48 min - How Shveta got into Counseling
- College News Fit to Digest. September 18, 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:
- Purdue Fall Enrollment is up! []
- Colleges that are getting the Fall Reopening right []
Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.
Resources referred to in this episode:
- Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
- Purdue News []
- Axios []
- Reuters []
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 - Purdue Fall Enrollment is up! []
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.