College Matters. Alma Matters.

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Phillip liked to build things. Like growing popsicle sticks in elementary school. Technology fascinated him. At the same time he loved Humanities. He loved History.

When he started applying to Colleges, he hadn’t figured out whether he wanted to take the Liberal Arts route or pursue Engineering.

Phillip joins our podcast to share his undergraduate college journey at Olin College, Researching Government databases, Winning the Goldwater Scholarship, Internship at FCC, and Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guests: Phillip Post is a Goldwater Scholar studying Electrical Computer Engineering at Olin College of Engineering.

Memorable Quote: “So it's important to keep as much of an open mind as possible. And really think about what skills, even if I changed my path, what skills am I gonna take from path to path!” Phillip Post.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences , UG Research

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This is a special episode of the Podcast “College Matters. Alma Matters.”, featuring UG students from CUR’s Program called Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR) 2024.

In this episode, Student Researchers from Five Institutions, Mercer University, McLennan Community College, University of Rochester, Piedmont University, and Towson University, tell their stories.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guests: Undergraduate Researchers and Faculty Mentors

Memorable Quote: “Well, after participating in research, my career aspirations actually had shifted from initially an MD to now wanting an MD PhD ” Sumra Chaudhry, Towson University.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.

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When Deborah was doing her PhD in the UK, she would help International students transition to studying and living in another country. She liked working with students individually and broadly.

After graduating she came back to Mumbai, and found that the kind of academic roles she desired were in short supply.

So when the Adviser opportunity at EducationUSA came up, she felt she was ready for it.

On our Podcast, Deborah talks about her background, Experience as EducationUSA Adviser, her Counseling approach, Challenges, Success Stories and her Advice for High School students.

In particular, we discuss the following with her: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Dr. Deborah Rosario is a Senior EducationUSA Adviser based in Mumbai, India. Dr.Rosario received her PhD in English from the University of Oxford.

Memorable Quote: “I really can't say, I can't overemphasize how much difference, self reflection and self awareness, and therefore, reflection can make the process when it comes to selecting universities really exposing, you know, not just a being sort of blinded by the glare of fame of, or big name, or even the good experience of someone else at an institution.” Deborah Rosario.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Recommended Episodes: College Experiences

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Jillian was an ambitious and competitive High Schooler. She was very interested in Science and in music. She spent her sophomore and junior summers at Harvard and Brown studying Astro and Quantum Mechanics.

But Jillian knew from a very young age that she wanted to do something with Astronomy in College.

Jillian joins our podcast to share journey through Colgate University, Interest in Astronomy, Winning the Goldwater Scholarship, Dark Matter Research, and Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with her: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Jillian Paulin, a Goldwater Scholar graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy Physics and minor in Applied Mathematics from Colgate  University. Jillian is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania.

Memorable Quote: “...make sure you can find good mentors who will give you good advice and are willing to listen to you.” Jillian Paulin.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences , UG Research

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Making sense of the College News of the week, curated by Alma Matters. Shveta Bagade, College Counselor gives us her take on the news.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.

Resources referred to in this episode:

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.

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Adriana came to the US when she was 10 years old from Romania. While she had a lot of catching up to do, her determination and competitive spirit helped her.

She was a science nerd in high school. She loved Earth Science, Geology & Biology. She was into Languages, Music, Photography. She was also on the Varsity Tennis team.

Adriana cut her teeth in research at a 2-year research program in her High School.

Above all, she really wanted to be a doctor!

Adriana joins our podcast to share her undergraduate experience at Skidmore, UG Research in Computational Biophysics, Winning the Goldwater Scholarship, Majoring in Chemistry, and Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with her: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guests:Adriana Cuibus, a Goldwater Scholar is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a Biochemistry concentration at Skidmore College. 

Memorable Quote: “But then there's this other side, to me, that always gets so intrigued by things that I don't understand. So I think it was, you know, that also part of me that's like, oh, my gosh, I don't understand it [Chemistry]. So I have to understand it.” Adriana Cuibus.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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The University Honors Program at CSULB has been around for at least 3 decades and has grown organically.

3 years ago, Dr. Perez became the first Director of the Honors Program and started to give it “cohesion” as she puts it. Prior to that, Dr. Perez was the Director of the University Honors Program at CSU Fullerton.

In this podcast, Director Perez introduces the University Honors Program at CSU Long Beach, Honors Courses, Experiential Programs, How to Apply, Scholarships and Career Opportunities.

In particular, we discuss the following with her: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Director Sandra Perez of CSU Long Beach  Honors Program, Long Beach California.

Memorable Quote: “My thoughts for current high schoolers is to try to fend off that pressure to please others, right, or to do things to comply with expectations. I think all of us thrive when we are allowed to be ourselves. And so I encourage them to be themselves. And to really pay attention to where their interests lie academically.” Director Perez. 

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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Kaitlyn had a lot of different interests in High School. She was a lot into sports - rowing, taekwondo. She loved math, sciences, and languages.

She didn’t really know what she wanted to study in College.

So, she was looking for a college with the opportunity to study across a number of disciplines and be able to interact with students from fields other than her own.

Kaitlyn joins our podcast to share her undergraduate experience at Northwestern, UG Research in Aging, Winning the Goldwater Scholarship, Majoring in Biological Sciences, and Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with her: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guests: Kaitlyn Hung, a Goldwater Scholar is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and minor in Data Science at Northwestern University. 

Memorable Quote: “ And the way that my mentor phrased, it was that even if I don't get it [Goldwater Scholarship], I'm going to learn a lot in the process. And it might even be better if I don't get it initially, because then I will get feedback from the committee and from my mentors on how I can improve and be an even stronger applicant in the future.” Kaitlyn Hung.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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Making sense of the College News of the week, curated by Alma Matters. This week Dr. Jay Jacobs, Vice Provost of Enrollment Management at the University of Vermont talks about the Impact of the FAFSA Delays.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Jay Jacobs is the Vice Provost Enrollment Management at the University of Vermont. Jay has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Lawrence University, a Master’s degree in Higher Education from Drexel University and Doctor of Education from Northeastern University.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.

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