College Matters. Alma Matters.

Episode 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 discuss...

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: COVID-19 Infection rates in the States in the US [] ACT Closes Registrations [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California....

Episode 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 P...

Episode 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 Advi...

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: ACT Cancels Test. Students not notified. [] New Int’l Students. Stay Home. [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Re...

Episode 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 a...

Episode 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,...

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: Rescinding the International Student Visa Policy [] Dealing with the Prospect of Fall Campus Outbreak [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Si...

Since 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 Barb...

Episode 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 a...

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: International Students may have to go home in Fall. Colleges Challenge. [] College Faculty upset about Optional Safety Measures [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, Col...

Episode 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 Emor...

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: 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, Colle...

Episode 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...

Episode 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...

Episode 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 H...

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: 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...

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: 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 Gues...

Episode 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...

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 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 C...

Episode 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...

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: 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 Va...

Episode 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? Wha...

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: 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 Va...

Episode 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,...