P's in a Pod

In 2016, Princeton finally resumed its transfer program after pausing it for nearly 30 years. In the first cohort after reinstatement, 9 students enrolled out of 1,429 applicants. Susan talks with 3 of them: Daniela Alvarez '21, Frelicia Tucker '22, and Sam Fendler '21. After introducing themselves (2:18) and briefly discussing Princeton's reinstatement of its transfer program, they first discuss Perspective (13:24): their reasons for transferring and how transitioning to college from college is very different than transitioning from high school. During Princeton (23:28), the students reflect on their Princeton experiences so far, asking the question: does Princeton coddle their students too much? Then, for Perception & Potential (47:21), they give advice for students thinking about transferring and Daniela explains how she chose Princeton after applying to 19 schools. After giving some shoutouts during Platform (1:03:23), Susan and the guests answer Pitched questions from listeners (1:05:34), discussing elitism at Princeton, President Eisgruber, and book/movie/show recs.

Follow Princeton Student Veterans:  https://www.instagram.com/princeton_veterans/
Resources mentioned: The Fight (documentary releasing soon), The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley and Malcolm X, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Andrew Somerville, Suniya Nsehti, and Nathan Gage are rising freshmen in Princeton's Class of 2024. After introducing themselves and describing a favorite Pastime (1:29), they join Susan to discuss Perspectives (6:13) on statue removals, protests, and Nathan's perception of the U.S. as a student from the U.K. During Platform (28:49), the students discuss education reform and affirmative action. For Princeton (53:10), the prefrosh discuss what they are looking forward to at college and ask questions about Princeton to Susan. Finally, for Pitched (1:06:19), everyone answers questions from listeners, giving thoughts on remote learning, movie/show recommendations, and cancel culture.

Resources mentioned: The Black Curriculum: https://www.theblackcurriculum.com/. TikTok with Suniya and her friends: https://vm.tiktok.com/JRykX35/  Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black man: https://www.youtube.com/user/Eacho18  Black Ivy Stories: https://www.instagram.com/blackivystories/

Recent graduates of the Class of 2020, Matthew Oakland and Tessa Albertson join Susan to reflect on their four years traversing the arches of Old Nassau. After Susan describes some of their accomplishments (00:30) and the graduates introduce themselves (4:19), the first P is Princeton, during which Matthew and Tessa discuss how it feels to finally be graduated as they reflect on the values and shortfalls of their Princeton experience (7:23). During Prefrosh (22:29), they impart their wisdom to both incoming and current students. During Platform (39:07), Susan and the graduates examine the need for empathy in anti-racist work. Finally, for Pitched (1:07:46), Matthew and Tessa each answer a question from a listener, explaining how they discovered their passions.

Camille Reeves, Alkin Kaz, Ashwini Shende, and Douglas Robins return for an unprecedented roundtable discussion with Susan — over Zoom. After (re)introductions (3:11), they have a candid conversation about racism and the surge in social media activism (5:48). Their first P is Progress, in which they discuss virtual appearances (12:54), seeing COVID-19 patients as people (18:17), Alkin's life-changing philosophy (22:50), educational disparities during quarantine (34:15), and Douglas' hot takes on Hannah Brown and Bernie Sanders (48:30). Then for Pandemic (59:26), they explore positives and new hobbies of quarantine. During Platform (1:08:21), they learn about Camille taking a stance with TigerTrends, Douglas exposing unsanitary nursing facilities in Louisiana, Alkin translating Physics Olympiad materials, and Susan's view on Asian Americans standing with BLM. Lastly, for Pitched (1:18:11), they answer your questions about genetic engineering, TV recommendations, and advice for pre-frosh.

Check out TigerTrends: https://www.tigertrendsprinceton.com/
Article reported by Douglas about Louisiana nursing homes: https://www.nola.com/news/coronavirus/article_43127c7c-9a26-11ea-889f-dfe5c428a147.html

A reminder that our student generation has immense power in creating change that lasts. Our actions determine the kind of world into which future generations are born. P's in a Pod stands in solidarity with Black students and communities across the country. Black lives matter.

Meet Camille Reeves: Princeton first-year from New Albany, Ohio. She and Susan discuss their thoughts on Coronavirus amidst the chaos of college move-outs, the importance of education for middle schoolers, and the impact of attire on self-perception and performance. Camille also gives advice on living a more eco-friendly life, making better first impressions, and avoiding complacency.

Meet Alkin Kaz: Princeton first-year from Konya, a town near Istanbul, Turkey. He discusses developments in quantum computation, philosophies on changing the world, differences between Turkish and American culture, and his excitement over Galatasaray's win in the Intercontinental Derby.

***We do not address Coronavirus until next week's episode. Stay healthy and accurately informed. To Princeton students and college students across the nation: this has been a devastating week for all of us and the rest of the world, but we are in this together. If you are traveling, travel safely. Be respectful to others. Hang tight and stay strong.

Meet Ashwini Shende, Princeton first-year from the Philly suburbs and creator of this podcast's title. She joins Susan to discuss the values and inequities of our education system, compare the Bachelor to Love Island, appreciate different forms of music, and wonder why people spend so much time on their phones.

Meet Douglas Robins, Princeton first-year from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. What is a "palatable" celebrity? Should writing seminars become P/D/F classes? And what exactly is so appealing about Snapchat? In addition to answering those questions, Douglas and Susan debate the meaning of the "passion" question and comment on the presidential primaries.

Meet Zachary Sahin: Princeton first-year from Pace, Florida. As an aspiring POTUS and fan of Richard Curtis like Susan, Zach discusses the importance of compromise and reads a beautiful poem by an unknown author.