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US Colleges cost quite a bit, to put it mildly. For International Students, cost is quite often the primary factor. Given Aparna’s experience guiding Int’l students, we turned to her for a Primer and tips on Financial Aid for International students.

On our podcast, Aparna gives us an overview of Financial Aid for Int’l Students, College Cost, Merit Scholarships, Graduate Study Aid, Resources and Tips for Int’l High School students.

In particular, we discuss the following with her: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Aparna Chandrasekharan is the Head of College Placements at 10X International School in Bengaluru, India. Previously, Aparna was EducationUSA Advisor in Chennai, India. Aparna graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Botany from Ethiraj College, Chennai India, and Masters in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Memorable Quote: “I would ask them [college applicants] to be more open minded, explore liberal arts and science colleges, which are known to give more scholarships generally. And also look at some public universities like Colorado State University has a $12,000 Scholarship for international students, Michigan State University has a somewhat similar scholarship.” Aparna Chandrasekharan.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Recommended Episodes: College Experiences

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Dean Nicola Foote discovered Honors education, when she came to the US after getting her PhD in History from University College London. She found that Honors education allowed students to explore different disciplines in addition to being part of a community.

Three years ago, Dean Foote became the Dean of Frederick Honors College University of Pittsburgh.

On this Podcast, Dean Foote introduces the Frederick Honors College, BPhil & Experiential Programs, Undergraduate Research, Scholarships, How to Apply, and Career Opportunities.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Dr. Nicola Foote is the Dean of the Frederick Honors College University of Pittsburgh. Dean Foote is a Distinguished English Professor, writer and novelist.

Memorable Quote: “And then most significantly, what I'm most proud of is that we also offer a BPhil degree. And we're one of only a handful of universities anywhere in the world that offer that it's the highest research distinction available to an undergrad.” Dean Foote. 

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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Growing up, Deniz was interested in Science. He enjoyed AP classes in High School. He was on the robotics team for 8 years, and went to summer STEM camps.

When COVID happened Deniz cold emailed a Prof in Dept of Neuroscience in Virginia Tech to do research. Shortly thereafter, Deniz was doing cognitive tests on mice, with touchscreen devices!

Deniz joins our podcast to share his University of Virginia undergraduate experience, Interest in Neuroscience, UG Research, Winning the Goldwater Scholarship, Majoring in Neuroscience and CS, and his Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guests: Deniz Olgun is a Goldwater Scholar, who is studying Neuroscience and Computer Science at the University of Virginia.

Memorable Quote: “What you major in is, of course, important, but more important is your flexibility in transitioning and kind of just general thinking skills, right? And how fast can you get up to deal with something that's hard? How well can you identify new opportunities? And then how can you learn to like, really just ask good questions and think critically? ” Deniz Olgun.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences , UG Research

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This admissions season, FAFSA delays have cast a huge shadow.

Jodi Foxx of Charlotte Christian and Tom Stepkoski of Westhill High School have different perspectives based on the experiences at their school.

In this episode, the two Counselors share the FAFSA Impact on their students, How Colleges have been Responding, the New FAFSA features, and Learnings from this experience.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guests:

Memorable Quote: “...we have found out that if you personally are having a problem, you can call and most universities will actually talk to you about the deadline and actually work with you.” Tom Stepkoski.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.

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Rayyan was working 30 hour weeks while in High School. Outside of that, Rayyan was more likely to be playing basketball or video games.

Then in his senior year he took some “sciency” classes, as he calls it, and did well and liked them! He felt Science might be his thing.

Rayyan joins our podcast to share his UC Riverside undergraduate experience, UG Research, Winning the Goldwater Scholarship, Pursuing in Bioengineering, and his Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guests: Rayyan Ayoub is a Goldwater Scholar who is studying Bioengineering at the University of California Riverside.

Memorable Quote: “If work is play, no one can beat you.” Rayyan Ayoub.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences , UG Research

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Dean Nicola Foote discovered Honors education, when she came to the US after getting her PhD in History from University College London. She found that Honors education allowed students to explore different disciplines in addition to being part of a community.

Three years ago, Dean Foote became the Dean of Frederick Honors College University of Pittsburgh.

On this Podcast, Dean Foote introduces the Frederick Honors College, BPhil & Experiential Programs, Undergraduate Research, Scholarships, How to Apply, and Career Opportunities.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Dr. Nicola Foote is the Dean of the Frederick Honors College University of Pittsburgh. Dean Foote is a Distinguished English Professor, writer and novelist.

Memorable Quote: “And then most significantly, what I'm most proud of is that we also offer a BPhil degree. And we're one of only a handful of universities anywhere in the world that offer that it's the highest research distinction available to an undergrad.” Dean Foote. 

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences

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Swimming took up a lot of Grant’s time in high school. So he had little time to think about his career and beyond.

He did get interested in Biology later in high school, and was involved in Biology competitions.

Grant joins our podcast to share his UC Irvine undergraduate experience, UG Research in Antibiotics, Winning the Goldwater Scholarship, Pursuing in Chemistry, and his Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guests: Grant Lai is a Goldwater Scholar who is studying Chemistry and Biological Sciences at the University of California Irvine.

Memorable Quote: “For most people, I would say almost all my friends did chemistry, because they had a great chemistry teacher in high school. ” Grant Lai.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences , UG Research

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While he was in grad school, Chris Boehm applied for a College Admissions job at Albright College after seeing an ad in the Newspaper.Chris didn’t get that job, but the job description intrigued him.

So, he cold emailed the President of the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling. The President invited him for a chat and connected him with 3 College Admissions professionals. One of them was the Director of Admissions at Albright. 

Things worked out better this time, and Chris started as a summer intern at Albright College.

Chris joins us on our podcast to talk about his background, Archmere Academy, Counseling Approach, Challenges, Success Stories, and his Advice for High School students.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Christopher Boehm is the Director of College Counseling at Archmere Academy in Delaware.

Memorable Quote: “if we start with the student, and the student honestly assesses what they need to be successful and happy then that will guide them towards certain types of schools.” Chris Boehm.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Recommended Episodes: College Experiences, College Application Workbook 

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College Campus Visits are a crucial part of the College Process.

It is a great way to get a feel for College in general, and certainly can help you, if that college is of particular interest to you.

Paula Dennis joins our podcast to share her insights into College Campus Visits, The Benefits, How to Plan for them, Senior Shilpi Bardhan on her Fly-in Experiences and Advice for Juniors.

In particular, we discuss the following with them: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guests:

Memorable Quote: “...the current students can give you the best idea of what is available on campus, how the students are and how you can be very well engaged in the school and the campus. And what opportunities there are.” Shilpi Bardhan.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.

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When Dr. Chakravarthy was deciding what to study in college, she chose Physics because her father wanted her to. Left to herself, she would have pursued Nutrition and Dietetics.

Today, decades later, she heads 10X International School, where Experiential Programs allow the High Schoolers to explore and experience different disciplines & ideas,  do research, build products, and in the process get a really good idea of what college program or career they want to pursue.

Dr. Chakravarthy joins us on our podcast to share her educational background, her research experience, her pivot to teaching, about 10X Int’l School, The goals & value of Experiential Learning, and her Advice for High School students.

In particular, we discuss the following with her: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Dr. Savita Chakravarthy is the Director of 10X International School in Bengaluru, India. Dr. Chakravarthy graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Stella Maris College, Chennai India, and PhD in Physics from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.

Memorable Quote: “So I think they should explore as much as possible if they can, while they are in high school. Before they decide that you know what it is they would eventually like to do.” Dr. Savita Chakravarthy.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Recommended Episodes: College Experiences

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