College Matters. Alma Matters.
393 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsPodcast 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.
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Episodes
USC Alum Anu Ramachandran: On Creating her own Undergraduate Experience. Part I.
September 04, 2020 17:21 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBEpisode summary introduction: Anu Ramachandran chose the University of Southern California (USC), among other things, for its location, access to culture and their generous scholarship. But Anu’s big takeaways occurred during summers, far away from campus, in the middle of the Amazon and a village in Tanzania. Anu shares her amazing undergraduate experience with us in this episode. In particular, we discuss the following with her: Why USC ? The Academic Experience at USC Summer Pursuits...
College News Fit to Digest. August 22, 2020.
August 27, 2020 22:28 - 12 minutes - 12 MBEpisode 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: 7-tips for International Students during COVID-19 #1 Minimize Expenses #2 Get an Insurance #3 Travel only if you must #4 Look for Safe Accommodation #5 Keep Building your Resume #6, #7 Communication & School Focus are Key! One more thing: We have d...
Test Optional: Nitin Jain on How to Navigate College Applications. Now.
August 25, 2020 22:20 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBEpisode summary introduction: Standardized Tests have fallen victim to COVID-19. Over 80% of the Top US Colleges have gone Test Optional, which means they are waiving Standardized Test Scores requirements for Admissions. For now. Nitin Jain, Co-founder of Oncourse shares his views on how students should handle College Applications without Standardized Tests. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Role of Standardized Tests in College Admissions What does Test Optional really m...
College News Fit to Digest. August 15, 2020.
August 21, 2020 00:04 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBEpisode 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 Colleges walk back their reopening [] Still a Mad rush to get Testing Dates! [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11] Inside Highe...
Sibi Venkatesan on UC Berkeley. The Daily Grind, Great People and Donut runs.
August 20, 2020 17:48 - 53 minutes - 49.7 MBEpisode summary introduction: Sibi Venkatesan knew he wanted to study Computer Science. He had always enjoyed it and was good at it. When time came to go to College, Sibi moved from Bangalore, India to Berkeley, California to pursue the prestigious Electrical Engineering and Computer Science program. Sibi gives us a ringside view into his experiences at University of California Berkeley. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Why he chose Berkeley Being an International Studen...
On Creating with Humility: Anika Gupta on her time at MIT.
August 18, 2020 18:05 - 47 minutes - 44 MBEpisode summary introduction: Anika Gupta wasn’t very keen on MIT. A campus visit to MIT changed all that. She was taken in by the “air of humility” that she felt in the students she interacted with during the campus visit. Anika went on to get a joint major at MIT in Computer Science and Molecular Biology. Anika shares her undergraduate MIT experience in vivid detail. In particular, we discuss the following with her: Why MIT ? The Intense Academic Program, the Peers Advice for MIT Aspi...
Counseling with Admissionado: Athena Lao on Rolling up the Sleeves to Find the Right College.
August 08, 2020 21:49 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBEpisode summary introduction: College counselors have enormous power to do good, to guide students to the right college destinations. Athena Lao, Head College Mentor at Admissionado, talks about their hands-on approach to counseling. In particular, we discuss the following with him: What is Admissionado? About students in the US, India, China College Admissions in the Pandemic World Topics discussed in this episode: How Athena got into Counseling [2:18] Birth of Admissionado [4:23] ...
College News Fit to Digest. August 1, 2020.
August 06, 2020 00:25 - 10 minutes - 9.81 MBEpisode 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: COVID-19 Infection rates in the States in the US [] ACT Closes Registrations [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11] Inside Higher E...
UW Madison Prof Kevin Black: Passion for Subatomic Particles, Mission to inspire young minds.
August 05, 2020 18:10 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBEpisode summary introduction: A chance summer research led him to becoming an Experimental Particle Physicist. Kevin Black majored in Physics as part of his undergraduate program at Wesleyan University and PhD in Physics from Boston University. Today Kevin Black is a Professor at University of Wisconsin Madison. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Why Physics? Being an Experimental Particle Physicist His Love for Teaching Topics discussed in this episode: The Road to Aca...
Washington University in St. Louis crystallized Chetan Vakkalagadda’s interest in Medicine into a career.
August 03, 2020 22:14 - 30 minutes - 28.5 MBEpisode summary introduction: Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) offered Chetan Vakkalagdda the right resources and the appropriate experiences to validate his interest in medicine. Chetan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a minor in Music. Chetan shares his undergraduate experience at WashU. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Why WashU ? Student Life at WashU Advice for Aspiring WashU students Topics discussed in this episode: The WashU Years Overview...
College News Fit to Digest. July 25, 2020.
July 30, 2020 21:32 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBEpisode 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: ACT Cancels Test. Students not notified. [] New Int’l Students. Stay Home. [] 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 [] Inside Hi...
Brother’s tip vectors Bharath Rabindranath to Jacobs University in Germany.
July 25, 2020 01:13 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MBEpisode summary introduction: A tip from his brother’s friend takes Bharath Rabindranath to Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany. Bharath goes on to earn the Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Bharath looks back at his years at Jacobs, and how he adjusted to life in Germany. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Why Jacobs University? About Studying and Living in Germany Students at Jacobs University Topics discussed in this episode: Jacobs University Experience [] On...
Princeton Prof. Isobel Ojalvo: Early Curiosity leads to High Energy Particle Physics Research.
July 23, 2020 18:50 - 50 minutes - 47.1 MBEpisode summary introduction: She grew up enjoying Math and Science, overcoming societal biases about girls and science. She went on to pursue a PhD in Physics from the University of Wisconsin Madison, making a stop at RPI for her undergraduate degree in Physics and Mathematics. Today Isobel Ojalvo is a High Energy Particle Physicist, and Assistant Professor at Princeton University. In particular, we discuss the following with her: Being a Girl in STEM Decision to be in Academia Why Hig...
College News Fit to Digest. July 18, 2020.
July 21, 2020 20:20 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBEpisode 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: Rescinding the International Student Visa Policy [] Dealing with the Prospect of Fall Campus Outbreak [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News at Alma Matter...
UC Santa Barbara: Lisa Przekop, Admissions Director on Reading 110K Applications, “Happy” Students and UG Focus.
July 18, 2020 20:28 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBSince becoming part of the University of California system in 1944, University of California Santa Barbara has become one of the premier Public Universities in the world. 110K Students from all over the world applied study at UC Santa Barbara this year. Lisa Przekop, Director of Admissions at UC Santa Barbara shares an insider’s view on the school, students and applications. Join the UC Santa Barbara Mailing List for updates. In particular, we discuss the following with Lisa: The Universi...
Competitive Colleges: Ben Stern of IvyAchievement on Counseling International Students.
July 15, 2020 17:35 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBEpisode summary introduction: International students nurture dreams of making it to a competitive US College. It requires planning, discipline and a lot of hard work for a chance to get one of the coveted spots in these colleges. Counselors’ expertise and experience can make a difference in the outcome. Benjamin Stern is the founder and CEO of IvyAchievement, a college counseling firm shares his approach. In particular, we discuss the following with him: What is IvyAchievement? About the...
College News Fit to Digest. July 11, 2020.
July 13, 2020 22:41 - 12 minutes - 12 MBEpisode 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: International Students may have to go home in Fall. Colleges Challenge. [] College Faculty upset about Optional Safety Measures [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: C...
Sciences Po and Uddeshya Nigam: 3 Continents and a Degree.
July 06, 2020 03:18 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBEpisode summary introduction: Uddeshya Nigam found a different route to get an Economics undergraduate degree. Uddeshya’s journey takes him to Sciences Po in France, Emory University in the United States, and a final semester of internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Why Sciences Po? Adjusting to Life & Living in France Final Year in Emory University & Buenos Aires Topics discussed in this episode: Why Sciences Po [] Bokaro to Paris [...
College News Fit to Digest. June 27, 2020
July 04, 2020 20:43 - 10 minutes - 9.66 MBEpisode 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: OPT Visa lives for now [1:13] Colleges go Creative to Reopen in Fall [3:24] College cut programs with Lower Pay Potential [6:32] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Cu...
The Stanford Sprint and a Jog. Gobi Dasu on his UG and Graduate Experiences.
June 30, 2020 23:32 - 54 minutes - 50 MBEpisode summary introduction: Gobi Dasu, a Stanford University alum talks about his college years. How he finished his undergraduate program in 2 years, and became a “digital nomad” after graduating, and then returned to Stanford for Graduate study and enjoyed “all that Stanford had to offer”. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Being a student at Stanford University The Decision to graduate in 2 years Why he came back to graduate school Topics discussed in this episode: ...
Managing Student Expectations: Counseling Tenets that Guide Nitin Jain of Oncourse.
June 28, 2020 16:41 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBEpisode summary introduction: Students have a right to Dream BIG. The challenge for College Counselors is to morph those BIG Dreams into achievable ones, while still harnessing the arrogance of youth. Nitin Jain, Co-founder of Oncourse, discusses how they set and manage students’ College expectations using Counseling Tenets they have developed over the last 10 years. In particular, we discuss the following with him: How to deal student expectations The process evaluating potential and re...
Dr Subhasish Dasgupta. In pursuit of a passion from Calcutta to George Washington University.
June 22, 2020 22:23 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBEpisode summary introduction: Dr Subhasish Dasgupta was smitten by a nascent field called Information Systems, while doing his MBA at University of Calcutta. Dr Dasgupta traces his journey of how he transformed that passion into a career in academia at George Washington University. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Being a PhD student at Baruch College, NY The dive into academia How students have changed over the last few decades Topics discussed in this episode: Calcut...
College News Fit to Digest. June 20, 2020.
June 21, 2020 20:58 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBEpisode 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: Students are changing their college plans [1:21] COVID-19 Testing on Campuses [3:28] Top US Colleges also go Test Optional. What next? [5:23] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this...
College News Fit to Digest. June 13, 2020.
June 17, 2020 22:10 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBEpisode 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: Tech Graduate Students from India dropping off [1:47] International Students in the US in limbo [5:32] Prepping for 2nd wave of COVID-19 in Fall [9:46] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred ...
The Columbia Years. Narayan Subramanian on Academics, Activism and the Big Apple.
June 13, 2020 22:02 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBEpisode summary introduction: Narayan Subramanian, a Columbia University alum reflects on his years in college. He paints a vivid picture of life in school, the dorms and regales us with anecdotes on the activism on campus and the taste of the Big Apple. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Being a student at Columbia University What it is like being in a big city Benefits of being in a school like Columbia Topics discussed in this episode: The Columbia Experience [] The ...
College News Fit to Digest. June 6, 2020
June 07, 2020 21:54 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBEpisode 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 Colleges Fall Reopening - Senate hearing [1:47] SAT Online Test - A No Go! [8:21] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11] CNBC [1:4...
COVID-19 & Beyond. Nitin Jain of Oncourse on Counseling for College Applications. Part II.
June 03, 2020 23:31 - 12 minutes - 12 MBEpisode summary introduction: Every year US Colleges accept over quarter of a million students from all over the world. As high schoolers eye their future and try to navigate the uncertainties wrought by COVID-19 and unrest, they are looking for guidance. College Counselor Nitin Jain, Co-founder of Oncourse, India talks about the impact of COVID-19 on College Counseling. In particular, we discuss the following with him: COVID-19 Impact on Counseling What is the impact of COVID-19 on 2021...
College News Fit to Digest. May 30, 2020
May 31, 2020 19:38 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBEpisode 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: AP Online Test Updates [1:20] SAT, ACT Fall Testing [3:44] Fall Colleges Reopening? [6:44] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11] Th...
Fall Semester & The Virus. Dr Sridhara Dasu, Chair, Physics Department, U of Wisconsin Madison. Part II
May 27, 2020 21:19 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBEpisode summary introduction: The coronavirus pandemic is going to be with us for a while. How we live with the virus, as we look ahead at the Fall semester, is the topic of discussion with Dr Sridhara Dasu, Chair of Physics Department at the University of Wisconsin Madison. In particular, we discuss the following with him: What does Fall Semester look like at University of Wisconsin Madison? What operations can be re-started safely? Are there any permanent changes as a result of the pan...
College News Fit to Digest. May 23, 2020
May 24, 2020 01:07 - 12 minutes - 12 MBEpisode 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: University of California to drop SAT, ACT [2:29] College Deferrals - The Fine Print [9:20] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11] Ins...
Immersion. Nitin Jain of Oncourse on Counseling for College Applications. Part I.
May 21, 2020 16:54 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBEpisode summary introduction: Every year US Colleges accept over quarter of a million students from all over the world, into their undergraduate programs. The competition is intense and the preparation starts early in high school. College Counselor Nitin Jain, Co-founder of Oncourse, India shares how they shape and sculpt aspiring students, to become competitive college applicants. In particular, we discuss the following with him: The Origins of Oncourse Selecting students to counsel Ma...
College News Fit to Digest. May 16, 2020
May 17, 2020 18:26 - 14 minutes - 13.8 MBEpisode 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: California State Universities decide to go Online this Fall [1:40] AP Online Test Bugs [7:11] Big Drop in Graduate Students [10:13] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode:...
The Hustle to go Online. Dr Sridhara Dasu, Chair Physics Department, U of Wisconsin Madison. Part I
May 16, 2020 03:45 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBEpisode summary introduction: It was becoming clear to the University of Wisconsin Madison, that the Coronavirus was a real threat to the campus population. College leadership took quick action to evacuate the campus and continue the semester online. From his vantage point, the Chair of Physics Department, Dr Sridhara Dasu gives us an account on how it all went down. In particular, we discuss the following with him: How did University of Wisconsin make the decision to close the campus? H...
College News Fit to Digest. May 9, 2020
May 10, 2020 22:19 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBEpisode 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: Students suing Colleges for Tuition fee refunds [1:09] Finding Summer Internships [5:48] ACT Test in June on? [9:33] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News ...
Global Journey with Dr Chandru Rajam: Educator, Entrepreneur.
May 06, 2020 00:04 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBEpisode summary introduction: A trip down memory lane with Dr Chandru Rajam, an educator and entrepreneur, as he shares his experiences and learnings studying, working and living in multiple countries. In particular, we discuss the following with him: Life as an academic The transition from academia to industry Working in the US and Asia The merits of studying abroad Topics discussed in this episode: Being an Academic [7:06] Working in Singapore [10:36] Comparing the Singapore and U...
College News Fit to Digest. May 2, 2020
May 02, 2020 19:44 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBEpisode 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 Colleges under Financial Pressure [2:09] International Students in limbo in US after campus closings [9:17] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News at Alma...
Ivy League Online. Abhinav Sriram of Brown talks about his virtual semester
April 29, 2020 16:05 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBEpisode summary introduction: College campuses have closed due to Coronavirus. Students have gone back to different corners of the globe. They are finishing the second half of their spring semesters Online. How is that working out? In this Episode, we hear from an international student, Abhinav Sriram who is attending classes in Brown University from Chennai, India. In particular, we discuss the following with him: How is the online semester being conducted? How are courses being graded?...
College News Fit to Digest. April 25, 2020
April 25, 2020 22:26 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBEpisode 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 Semester. On campus or Online? [2:08] Gap Year. How to go about it? [6:19] SAT/ACT tests at home? [9:16] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources mentioned in this episode: Curated News at Alma ...
Online now. On Campus in Fall? Let's ask Kartikeye Khanna, Freshman U of Wisconsin Madison
April 21, 2020 21:45 - 17 minutes - 16.5 MBEpisode summary introduction: Coronavirus was spreading, campus was shutting down. International students were hustling to get home before the borders closed. In this Episode, we hear from an international student from India, Kartikeye Khanna who luckily made it home. In particular, we discuss the following with him: How well online instruction is working for him? What needs to happen, so he can get back to campus in Fall? What’s the fallback plan? What would he tell aspiring internatio...
College Applications? Think Differently in the COVID-19 world
April 20, 2020 14:28 - 26 minutes - 24.9 MBEpisode Title: College Applications? Think Differently in the COVID-19 world Episode summary introduction: As COVID-19 rolls and roils the globe, it is changing the US College landscape. Colleges are facing huge financial losses which could shake things up structurally. The students & families have challenges of their own which could upend their future plans. In this Episode, we are focused on how college-bound students who plan to enter college in Fall 2021 should approach their College ...
Tests Cancelled! What should a Student be doing now?
April 14, 2020 04:13 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBCOVID-19 is impacting everyones' lives. For the US College-bound, coronavirus has resulted in the standardized tests being cancelled or postponed. Some US Colleges are going Test Optional and social distancing is forcing the test prep industry to change. We are interested in answering two basic questions: How should the students respond to the uncertain testing landscape? How is the test prep industry adapting and stepping up to help students. To help us make sense of all this, we have invit...
Stuck @Home? Counselor Shveta has Suggestions for your New Found Time
April 06, 2020 22:21 - 20 minutes - 19.4 MBCOVID-19 has changed all our lives. We are sheltering at home. Our daily life and schedules are drastically altered. As a result days may seem longer. This is what we call Found Time - a consequence of our reconfigured daily schedules! Shevta Bagade, a College Counselor based in Silicon Valley, California takes time to share some great suggestions and ideas on how to capitalize on the time to make a difference. Make a difference to others, to yourself and more importantly make a difference t...
Coronavirus Impact on College Students: Conversation with Ajan Subramanian, senior at UC Irvine
April 05, 2020 20:33 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBThe Coronavirus has completely disrupted our lives. As we pick up the pieces and try to make sense of this, each one of us is trying to take some semblance of control. Ajan Subramanian is an international student from India and currently a senior at University of California, Irvine. Ajan shares how the students were informed about the University shutting down to combat the virus and how he is coping with the stay at home order to contain the virus spread.