College Matters. Alma Matters.

Venkat Raman
  • 5.0 (8)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
College Matters. Alma Matters.

Podcast 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.

  1. Rebecca Youngers of UT Austin: Journalism, Study Abroad in Ireland, and Social Media Internships.

    1 DAY AGO

    Rebecca Youngers of UT Austin: Journalism, Study Abroad in Ireland, and Social Media Internships.

    Subscribe to Receive Venkat’s Weekly Newsletter When I last spoke with Rebecca, she had just graduated from High School and was headed to the University of Texas Austin. Rebecca is a junior at UT Austin. In this episode, Rebecca shares her undergraduate experiences at UT Austin, Her Internships, Study Abroad in Ireland, and Majoring in Journalism. Check Out: The College Application Workbooks for Juniors and Seniors In particular, we discuss the following with her:  The UT Austin Experience Transition to College Journalism Major Advice for High Schoolers Topics discussed in this episode: Introducing Becca Youngers, University of Texas Austin[] Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [] The UT Experience [] Transition to College [] The classes [] Professors [] Internships [] Study Abroad [] Extracurricular Activities [] Memories [] Our Guest: Rebecca Youngers is a junior at the University of Texas Austin. Memorable Quote: “My study abroad? Oh, my gosh, literally, like the best experience ever. I'm like, I know everyone that goes abroad does not shut up about it, and I am included in that pool of people for sure. ” Becca Youngers. Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript. Similar Episodes: College Experiences Calls-to-action: Follow us on Instagram. To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email podcast@almamatters.io. Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Spotify.

    38 min
  2. Tom Stepkoski’s Takeaways from Podcast Stories: Lorena of Davidson College, Aidan of UCLA, and Avinash of Princeton.

    NOV 14

    Tom Stepkoski’s Takeaways from Podcast Stories: Lorena of Davidson College, Aidan of UCLA, and Avinash of Princeton.

    Subscribe to Receive Venkat’s Weekly Newsletter In this series of episodes, College Counselors share their takeaways from College Alumni and Student stories featured in this Podcast. Tom Stepkoski picked the 3 episodes from “College Vignettes Tell Tales”, my handbook for sophomores and juniors. In this episode, Tom shares his takeaways from Podcast episodes with Lorena of Davidson College, Aidan of UCLA, and Avinash of Princeton. Topics discussed in this episode: Introducing Tom Stepkoski, Westhill High School, CT [] 3 Podcast Stories and Takeaways [] A Question or Two to Reflect on [] The Process of Picking 3 Stories [] Closing Thoughts [] Our Guest: Tom Stepkoski is the Career and College Counselor at Westhill High School in Stamford, Connecticut. In addition, Tom also runs Tom Step Coaching for Personal Development. Memorable Quote: “And I'm sure that you know, you've heard me say before on your podcast, that kids love to listen to kids. And I say kids, you know, I'm referring to students of 16, 17, 18, years old, or primarily, they're juniors in high school, and they're starting to look at colleges.” Tom Stepkoski. Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript. Calls-to-action: Follow us on Instagram. To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email podcast@almamatters.io. Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and others.

    30 min

  3. NOV 10

    Tracy Baynes of STEP: Guiding Hard Working, Low Income Students to College.

    Subscribe to Receive Venkat’s Weekly Newsletter Tracy got her PhD from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. For years after that, she taught college students in programs called “Semesters at Sea”. During that time she was also an instructor for the Outward Bound with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). She noticed that all her students were wealthy. That insight led Tracy to found the STEP - an amazing program to provide guidance to high achieving, low income students to get to college. Tracy joins us on our podcast to talk about her background, the origins of STEP, The Organization and the program, How to apply for STEP, Success Stories, and finally Tips for High Schoolers. In particular, we discuss the following with her:  Tracy Baynes’ Background Founding STEP How to Apply Learnings from STEP Topics discussed in this episode: Introducing Tracy Baynes, Founder, CEO of STEP [] Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [] Background [] Origins of STEP [] The STEP Org [] Becoming a STEP Student [] Internal Motivation of Students [] Engaging Parents [] Success Stories [] What makes STEP tick? [] How Students have changed in 20 years? [] What’s Next? [] Closing Thoughts [] Our Guest: Tracy Baynes is the Founder and CEO of STEP - Student Expedition Program in Tucson Arizona. Memorable Quote: “What we say is, we can't want this more than you do. Like in the end, you have to do the hard work, and you have to do the hard work when nobody's looking, you have to do the hard work when nobody's giving you accolades. And that's what it takes, right?  Anything you want, is on the other side of hard work.” Tracy Baynes. Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript. Similar Episodes: College Experiences, College Application Workbook  Calls-to-action: Follow us on Instagram. To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email podcast@almamatters.io. Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and others.

    46 min
  4. Squaring Lower Acceptance Rates with Enrollment Decline in College News Fit to Digest. November 4, 2024.

    NOV 5

    Squaring Lower Acceptance Rates with Enrollment Decline in College News Fit to Digest. November 4, 2024.

    Subscribe to Receive Venkat’s Weekly Newsletter 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: Lower Acceptance Rates at the Top US Colleges [] Enrollment Decline [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11] EducationNext [] New York Times [] Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript. Calls-to-action: Follow us on Instagram. Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Spotify.  For Podcast Transcripts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.

    11 min
  5. Eva Mahajan and Emily Seo of Jenks High School: The Digital SAT Experience.

    NOV 1

    Eva Mahajan and Emily Seo of Jenks High School: The Digital SAT Experience.

    Subscribe to Receive Venkat’s Weekly Newsletter Digital SAT is here. Today we feature 2 high school seniors, Eva and Emily from Jenks High School to share their experiences with the Digital SAT. They talk about the structure of the test, how they prepared for it, The differences between the Paper and Digital Test, and their Advice for Juniors. Topics discussed in this episode: Introducing Eva Mahajan, Emily Seo, Jenks High School [] Digital SAT Overall Experience  [] Setup [] Parts of the Test [] Dynamic Modules [] Eva “Prefers Paper” [] Scratch Paper [] Practice Tests [] Differences between the Practice and Real Test [] Paper versus Digital [] Advice for Juniors [] Retaking the Test? [] Our Guests: Eva Mahajan and Emily Seo, Senior Jenks High School, Tulsa OK. Memorable Quote: “So first I would tell them to take as many practice tests as possible, because that's how I like to study. And I soon learned the grammar patterns and the formatting pretty well. And then I would also say, Make sure not to cram study the day or even week before, and to create a schedule over a longer period of time.” Emily Seo. Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript. Calls-to-action: Follow us on Instagram. To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email podcast@almamatters.io. Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and others.

    18 min
  6. Beto Patino-Luna of UW Whitewater: Geography with Geology, UG Research, and The Welding Experience.

    OCT 27

    Beto Patino-Luna of UW Whitewater: Geography with Geology, UG Research, and The Welding Experience.

    Subscribe to Receive Venkat’s Weekly Newsletter Beto liked Math and Science classes in High School. He loved to play soccer. In his senior year of high school, he started gravitating towards trade school and a career in welding. So, during the summer after high school, he started working as a welder. But then things changed for him. Beto joins our podcast to share his inspiring undergraduate college journey at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, Landslide Research, Summer Internships, Choosing Geography with Geology Major, and Advice for High Schoolers. Check Out: The College Application Workbooks for Juniors and Seniors In particular, we discuss the following with him:  UW Whitewater Experience Landslide Research Geography Major Advice to High Schoolers Topics discussed in this episode: Introduction to Beto Patini-Luna, UW Whitewater [] Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [] Overall Whitewater Experience [] Why UW Whitewater? [] High School Interests [] Deciding against Trade School [] Freshman Courses [] Transition to College [] Academics [] About Research [] Landslide Research [] Research Impact [] Majoring in Geography with Geology emphasis [] From Trade School to Grad School [] Campus Activities [] Advice for High Schoolers [] Summer Internships [] Memories [] Our Guests: Beto Patino-Luna is studying Geography with a Geology emphasis at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. Memorable Quote: “I had never heard about the research process before meeting Dr Juk. I didn't know what research was. I didn't know you could get a job out of it. So I learned all about that.” Beto Patino-Luna. Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript. Similar Episodes: College Experiences  Calls-to-action: Follow us on Instagram. To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email podcast@almamatters.io. Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Spotify.

    41 min
  7. Heidi Clark-Smitley of Catholic Central on College Counseling: Planting A Seed And Having Options.

    OCT 23

    Heidi Clark-Smitley of Catholic Central on College Counseling: Planting A Seed And Having Options.

    Sign Up to Receive Venkat’s Weekly Newsletter As a junior In High School, Heidi was intrigued about College. Although her College Counselor wasn’t very motivating. And her parents were not College graduates. Her parents paid for a College Counseling program at a local community college. Heidi found this exciting and inspiring. Today, Heidi is the Director of College Counseling at Catholic Central High School in Michigan. Heidi joins us on our podcast to talk about her background, Catholic Central, Counseling Approach, Challenges, Information Overload and her continued passion for Counseling. Check Out: The College Application Workbooks for Juniors and Seniors In particular, we discuss the following with her:  Heidi’s Background Approach to College Counseling Challenges Staying Excited Topics discussed in this episode: Introducing Heidi Clark-Smitley, Catholic Central [] Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [] Professional Background [] Why Counseling? [] Catholic Central [] The Role [] Approach to Counseling [] Enticing Students to meet Application Deadlines [] The Challenges [] Information Overload [] Reflecting on the 2 decades [] Students’ Self-Awareness [] Staying Excited [] Our Guest: Heidi Clark-Smitley, Director of College Counseling at Catholic Central High School, MI. Memorable Quote: “I look at the student, and I go, you probably got your driver's license recently, or about to get your driver's license. So here's the deal, you are in the driver's seat of this college exploration and planning, and the rest of us are passengers. And although we might be backseat drivers at times, we are simply passengers.” Heidi Clark-Smitley. Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript. Recommended Episodes: College Experiences, College Application Workbook  Calls-to-action: Follow us on Instagram. To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email podcast@almamatters.io. Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:Apple Podcasts, Spotify.

    1h 1m
  8. Intentionally Delaying FAFSA in College News Fit to Digest. October 14, 2024.

    OCT 17

    Intentionally Delaying FAFSA in College News Fit to Digest. October 14, 2024.

    Subscribe to Receive Venkat’s Weekly Newsletter 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: FAFSA [] Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California. Resources referred to in this episode: Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11] MSN [] SC Daily Gazette [] US News [] Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript. Calls-to-action: Follow us on Instagram. Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Spotify.  For Podcast Transcripts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.

    11 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

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Podcast 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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