Quad Cast

Inna A Effress

Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, the road to college, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress 

Episodes

  1. May 4

    Tamara, Northwestern Law & LSE, on human rights & being a first-gen student

    Tamara Kissoon shares her story as a first generation student who emigrated from Guyana as a child. Through life-changing mentor relationships with high school teachers who encouraged her to travel, Tamara overcame the inequities of being a low-income student from a different school, and she began her pursuit of higher education, first as a Northwestern undergraduate, then as a Master’s student at London School of Economics, and now back at Northwestern, where she is earning her law degree. About the Show: Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress 00:00 Intro to Tamara, Northwestern Law 02:18 From Guyana to New Jersey 06:12 Navigating Inequity in High School 10:49 Finding mentors in high school 12:12 How travel opened doors 15:26 Applying to Northwestern & leaving for Chicago 18:48 What was suprising about college 20:24 Deciding to study abroad 21:20 Finances: Choosing London School of Economics over Columbia 23:57 Kids in Need of Defense 26:05 Intersection of law and social policy 28:58 Becoming editor of Journal of Human Rights 31:18 Stay true to yourself: parting words #northwestern #londonschoolofeconomics #collegeapplications #firstgeneration #firstgen #lowincome #mentors #collegelife #highereducation #lawschool #lawschoolapps #DEI

    33 min

  2. May 4

    Tamara, Northwestern Law & London School of Economics

    Tamara Kissoon shares her story as a first generation student who emigrated from Guyana as a child. Through life-changing mentor relationships with high school teachers who encouraged her to travel, Tamara overcame the inequities of being a low-income student from a different school, and she began her pursuit of higher education, first as a Northwestern undergraduate, then as a Master’s student at London School of Economics, and now back at Northwestern, where she is earning her law degree. About the Show: Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress Timestamps: 00:00 Intro to Tamara, Northwestern Law 02:18 From Guyana to New Jersey 06:12 Navigating Inequity in High School 10:49 Finding mentors in high school 12:12 How travel opened doors 15:26 Applying to Northwestern & leaving for Chicago 18:48 What was suprising about college 20:24 Deciding to study abroad 21:20 Finances: Choosing London School of Economics over Columbia 23:57 Kids in Need of Defense 26:05 Intersection of law and social policy 28:58 Becoming editor of Journal of Human Rights 31:18 Stay true to yourself: parting words

    33 min

  3. Apr 17

    Hugh, Stanford '29, on campus bike culture, the beauty of math, and finding community

    In this episode, Hugh Cheng talks about writing problems for Stanford Math Tournament, Taiwanese Culture Society, favorite classes, playing alto sax in a musical for the first time, and riding his bike with no hands. About the Show: Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress Timestamps: 00:00 Intro to Hugh, Stanford '29 00:46 Writing for Stanford Math Tournament 03:14 Alto Sax at Stanford 05:14 Taiwanese Cultural Society 06:24 Stanford vs MIT 09:16 Math is beautiful 15:20 Finding community 16:56 Upcoming events & closing thoughts #stanford #altosax #math #taiwanese #roommate #campuslife #paloalto #stanfordmathtournament

    18 min

  4. Apr 9

    Samantha, USC '29, on Chinese International Students, Housecleaning & Basketball

    Samantha Gao, USC ‘29, shares her journey from China to USC, her involvement in Chinese Women’s Basketball, content creation while working as a housecleaner, advice on joining clubs, and the anxieties facing international students today. About the Show: Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress Timestamps: 00:00 Intro to Samantha, USC '29 01:35 Chinese Womens Basketball at USC 03:29 Anxieties of Chinese Students 05:10 Policies & attitudes towards international student 06:32  Housecleaning with Tidy Trojans 09:35 U.S. campus life & Chinese cultural dynamics 11:01 From China to USC 13:42 Playing the guzheng to the bass guitar 15:32 Japanese class & multicultural friendships 16:43 Applying to USC & essays on unique interests 20:22 Wisdom on joining clubs

    23 min

  5. Mar 14

    Jackson, Yale '29, on designing airplanes, getting a pilot's license, and Jazz.

    In this episode, Jackson, Yale '29, shares his love of flying, designing a record-breaking aircraft with other engineering students at Yale, and campus life. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro to Jackson, Yale '29 01:30 Learning to Fly a Piper Archer 05:52 Saxophone Story 07:57 Yale Social Life 09:38 Egyptology Reading Room 11:05 Surprises at Yale & New Haven Jazz 13:53 Project Jet & Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association 21:04 Applying to Yale & Personal Narrative 23:39 Current Pressures on Universities & Student Perspectives 25:46 Summer plans 26:38 Engineering at a Humanities-Centered School About the show: Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress #Yale #learningtofly #aero #engineering #engineeringstudent #Jazz #campuslife #newhaven #egyptologyreadingroom

    30 min

  6. Mar 12

    Ella, Vanderbilt '29, on Playing Trumpet, STEM Research, and Social Life

    In this episode, Ella Graber, Vanderbilt '29, shares her experiences playing trumpet at Vanderbilt, her path to science research and pre-med studies, and making the most of community service and social life, on and off campus. About the Show: Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress Timestamps: 00:00 Intro to Ella, Vanderbilt '29 01:52 Trumpet & Overcoming Stage Fright 03:46 Auditioning for Jazz at Vanderbilt 06:29 Favorite Practice Space at Vanderbilt 07:05 USC Summer Research Experience 09:23 What's Cognitive Studies? 10:40 Undergrad Research at Vanderbilt 13:05 Aspirations in Medicine and Research 16:24 Applying to Vanderbilt 18:35 Speaking Spanish in Health Work 20:14 Social Life at Vanderbilt #Vanderbilt #STEM #collegeapps #campuslife #greeklife #jazz #bigband #audition #vandy #studentlife #collegelife

    22 min

  7. Mar 10

    Kenna, Northwestern Law, on First-Gen Mindset , Sports, and Lifting Others

    Kenna, a first-generation student at Northwestern Law, shares how she overcame educational barriers and translated her athletic scholarship into a college degree and later, admission to one of the top law schools in the U.S. as the daughter of Mexican immigrants. About the Show: Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress Timestamps: 00:00 Intro to Kenna Flores, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law 01:41 Family immigration story 03:05 Impact of discrimination lawsuit 07:00 Overcoming educational barriers in underresourced schools 08:48 Discipline and family values 10:09 Athletic scholarship and discovering Northwestern 12:44 Studying for the LSAT while juggling jobs and sports 17:03 First-Gen at Northwestern and Overcoming the Education Gap 19:52 Editor-in-Chief  21:13 Influential Professors and Mentors 23:07 Collaboration and Social Life 25:03 Adding Ladders to Lift Others 28:03 Full Circle at MALDEF

    30 min

  8. Mar 6

    Beckett, St. Andrews University, on Scotland, Castles & Dual Course at Uni

    In this episode, Beckett shares why he chose St. Andrews in Scotland and talks about tradition, local cuisine, friendships, his family’s literary legacy, and his dual passions for German language and history.  About the Show: Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Beckett Osher, St. Andrews University 02:00 Scotland Weather and Traditions 03:51 Campus Life and Town 05:11 German and History Studies 07:10 History: Early Influences 09:34 Historical Perspectives at St. Andrews 11:10 Edinburgh Castle 11:56 Europe Travel 12:15 Being American at St. Andrews 13:15 Friendships and Social Circles 14:06 Family Legacy and Literary Influence 15:05 The Intersection of History and Writing 15:48 Advice for Prospective Students 17:47 UCAS and Applying to St. Andrews 18:45 Local Exploration 19:45 Study Habits and Library Life 20:18 Connecting With Family in the U.S. 21:01 Dining in Scotland

    22 min

  9. Feb 26

    Naomi, Columbia University '27, on Rocketry & NYC

    In this episode, Naomi shares how she chose between Columbia and Cal Tech. She talks about her passion for building rockets, social life on campus, favorite museums and ice skating in Manhattan, plus what it's like to be an international student at Columbia today. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro to Naomi 01:49 Brazil to Miami to NYC 03:02 Columbia vs. Cal Tech? 04:08 High School STEM & Service 07:34 MIT Siblings & Comparison to Columbia U 08:27 Favorite NYC Spots 09:17 Making Friends on Campus 10:25 Rockets Team 12:33 Aerospace as an International Student 14:45 From Robotics to Rocketry 16:34 Team Culture 20:08 Clubs and Campus Life 22:11 Students Mentoring Students 24:14 International Community 27:47 Scuba Diving About the Show: Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress

    30 min

  10. Feb 22

    Alexa, Boston University '29, on mental health, acapella with BosTones, and escape rooms

    Alexa Chang shares her insights on BU's international culture, boys and mental health, singing as a Tenor I with the BosTones, Boston life, and her experiences as a Psychology and Brain Sciences major working towards her PhD.

    24 min

  11. Feb 18

    Glennis, Northwestern University '30, on journalism and speaking up

    In this episode, Glennis Woosley shares her story of how her passion for journalism unfolded from personal challenges and a desire to connect with people. We talk about her experiences covering impactful events in her school and community and connecting those events to teens, winning multiple awards, earning the School of the New York Times full-tuition scholarship, and a memorable summer at Northwestern's Cherubs program, as she gets ready for college life at Northwestern University.

    47 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Quad Cast is a weekly show hosted by speechwriter turned higher ed advisor, Inna Effress. In each episode, students and faculty share personal insights into campus life and their programs. Hear about new frontiers in science, real medical research, and departmental STEM innovations. Feel the wonders of arts and humanities. Hear directly from students about their internships and summer programs, unique career paths, the road to college, and making the most of their potential in a shifting world, all through personal stories.  Inna’s love for education began when she emigrated from Ukraine to the U.S., and her family had to start from scratch in a foreign language. After college, she became a writer helping American public figures and lawmakers tell their stories. Now, she works with students applying to top schools. She helps them go after their niche through the transformative force of education, knowing that once a person has it, no one can take it away.  Cover art by Raisa Effress “Cathedral of Salt” (intro/outtro) composed by Abe Effress 

Information

  • Creator
    Inna A Effress
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Inna A Effress