Real College Talk

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. We bring the best of the best to our podcast to share both their personal and professional experiences and advice regarding all things school, college, career paths, and life in general. 

Morgan and Nikhil tackle this week's episode on their own by sharing their top 6 barriers to success in high school and college and how to overcome them. To start off, Nikhil explores how a person's environment can shape their college experience (1:02). Morgan follows up with a detailed breakdown on the circles of influence that affect high school students (3:38) while Nikhil hones in on the influence that he believes affects the most students (7:37). Morgan provides a refreshing take on the oft-visited topic of time management, and you'll definitely appreciate her tips on organization and avoiding procrastination (10:42)! Many high school students are familiar with the pressures of the college application process, so Nikhil closes with an honest opinion on the phenomenon of comparison, especially among students from certain backgrounds (16:33), and Morgan dispels the myth that you have to choose an academic or professional path immediately (22:48).

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk (along with @collegefindme!) and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. We bring the best of the best to our podcast to share both their personal and professional experiences and advice regarding all things school, college, career paths, and life in general. 

On this week's episode, we welcome Nick Matthews, a sophomore transfer student at Michigan State University who had plenty to share on his unique college application process. Nick tailored his college plans to his position on DECA’s High School Executive Officer Team (1:26), so he definitely has good insights into how high schoolers can commit themselves to a plan before college even starts (5:36). Nick provides some valuable tips on the transfer application process (9:08) and specific details on the timeline of his transfer application (12:59). Things switch gears when Nick dishes on how he got an internship in New York City and the importance of starting as soon as possible (14:46). He learned quite a bit during his time in NYC, both from a professional (17:27) and personal (19:42) perspective. 

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk (along with @collegefindme!) and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. We bring the best of the best to our podcast to share both their personal and professional experiences and advice regarding all things school, college, career paths, and life in general. 

In continuation of our #KeepItReal series with CollegeFindMe (https://collegefindme.com/), we’re joined by Meghna Chhabra and Alisson Martinez, CollegeFindMe’s Students Interns, to share their college application stories as current high school seniors. Alisson and Meghna start by sharing how they got started at CollegeFindMe (0:37), then each explain what factors are important for choosing colleges, such as Alisson's passion for creative outlets (2:37) and Meghna's favorite schools (3:39).

They both discuss where they currently stand in the college application process (6:09), with Meghna revealing how the essays and applications of specific schools can show the character of colleges (7:07), and Alisson talking about the additional requirements in applying to design schools (7:48). There's also plenty to discuss in the realm of extracurriculars, where we get some insight on Meghna's work with the Possible Project (10:37) and Alisson's creative process for making her very own magazine (12:38). Then, Meghna walks us through some of their favorite activities (15:42), and Alisson explains the difficulties she has faced in choosing between her love for creativity and athletics (16:58). To close out the episode, these high school seniors get real on what makes them nervous about the next big step in their life (19:52) and advise their 9th grade selves on thriving in high school without the extra stress (22:53).

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk (along with @collegefindme!) and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. We bring the best of the best to our podcast to share both their personal and professional experiences and advice regarding all things school, college, career paths, and life in general. In continuation of our #KeepItReal series with CollegeFindMe (https://collegefindme.com/), we’re joined by Samantha Savello, CollegeFindMe’s Digital Media Coordinator, to share her perspective on college and life since graduating from Brown University, changing her major, exploring gap years and career paths, and much more! 

Long before encountering CollegeFindMe, Samantha experienced high school in a way many of us can relate to. She was very active and ambitious to explore a variety of interests, but was challenged to narrow her focus upon entering college (2:35). She eventually majored in Hispanic Culture and Literature (5:00), through which she was able to explore her Puerto Rican heritage and even studied in Granada, Spain for a semester! However, she wasn’t always sure that her sole focus would be Spanish. Samantha shares the importance of identifying what you truly love and are passionate about – in her case, communication and languages – as you navigate your education and career (7:00). Beyond the classroom, Samantha was an accomplished writer throughout her time at Brown University (12:41). We take some time to delve into one article in particular titled, “In Favor of the Gap Year,” and discuss how current high school and college students can assess if a gap year may be right for them. 

We begin to wrap up with a broader discussion of how to approach the college search amidst societal pressures to judge schools based on selectivity and acceptance rates only (16:45). Our question: Does selectivity really matter? We discuss that while selective schools may have unique resources and valuable networks, you will find the most success at a school that truly aligns with your personality and goals in life, as opposed to a school that you select solely on the basis of its prestige. Samantha reminds us that regardless of where you go to college, what matters most is what you make of your experience, both in class and outside of it (18:25). Last but not least, Samantha shares some specific CollegeFindMe resources that she would have used during her own college preparation process to conduct her college search and choose the school that best fit her needs (20:20). 

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk (along with @collegefindme!) and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. We bring the best of the best to our podcast to share both their personal and professional experiences and advice regarding all things school, college, career paths, and life in general. As part of our #KeepItReal series CollegeFindMe (https://collegefindme.com/), we invited Jeremy Caldwell, CollegeFindMe’s Student Engagement Coordinator to share his unique perspective on the world of higher education.     

To start, Jeremy shares his unique experience deciding to move across the county for college (3:00), while most all of his peers remained home to attend schools in Texas. Jeremy encourages students who are currently preparing for college applications to carefully consider what they truly want from their continued education before applying. He describes how he was on the search for a “spark of connection” (5:25) with each school that he visited, ensuring that he could truly envision himself as a student there. In fact, Jeremy points to specific CollegeFindMe resources that can help high schoolers identify the specific qualities they like and dislike in different colleges, and then connect them with the schools that fit what they’re looking for (8:15).     

For students still unsure of what they plan to study or their future career, Jeremy explains the importance of building skills and character traits that can be applied across industries (10:25), such as public speaking, critical thinking, and team-building. As you explore different topics of study, career options, and learning opportunities, pay attention to the things you enjoy doing most! Or in the words of one of Jeremy’s college professors, “the things you do when you’re bored are the things you should make a career of” (12:26). Jeremy moves on to share his unique experience working in the admissions office and leading the tour guide program at Tufts University (14:00). He explains that picking a school that makes you truly happy is not just cheesy advice to follow – it just might be the key to your growth and success in college. Finally, Jeremy reminds students to be themselves in their applications (22:58) and to stand out by referencing specific things in their essays that they like about the school they are applying to. There is no right way to go about the process, but we believe that with just a bit of introspection and visualization (29:18), your college list and ultimate destination will be just right for you.     

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk (along with @collegefindme!) and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. We bring the best of the best to our podcast to share both their personal and professional experiences and advice regarding all things school, college, career paths, and life in general. This episode is no exception – in fact, Real College Talk is partnering with CollegeFindMe (https://collegefindme.com/) to deliver a three-part series you won't want miss! Read on and hit subscribe to learn more about CollegeFindMe and what to expect in our first #KeepItReal collaboration series.

You haven’t heard of CollegeFindMe? Then you’re in the right place because in this episode, their Digital Media Coordinator, Samantha Savello, and Student Engagement Coordinator, Jeremy Caldwell, are here to tell you all about how this organization can help you make your college application experience truly your own (2:13). Our favorite part? CollegeFindMe believes that every student has “something incredible to show off to colleges,” regardless of their exposure to college and career resources during high school. CollegeFindMe is intent on helping you stand out in the application process, far beyond grades, test scores, or the school you come from (3:35). Whether you’re looking to attend a top tier university, a commuter college close to home, or you’re just beginning with the research process, CollegeFindMe is a resource designed to step beyond college ranking lists to connect you with schools that truly fit your unique interests and personality (11:51). Get connected and visit www.collegefindme.com to join the platform and start using the app today (12:24). Their blog, newsletter, scholarships, prizes, college tours, student spotlights, and educational resources will support you if you're just beginning high school or are preparing to graduate as a senior (13:49). You can also follow “CollegeFindMe” on all the socials (12:38)!

In the meantime, stay tuned for the next three episodes of this special #KeepItReal series! We’ll be inviting Jeremy back on (9:03) to share his unique experience interning in an admissions office and what advice he has for students who are researching and applying. Samantha will return (8:01) to tell us what it was like to switch majors in the midst of her college career and how our listeners can make the most of college, should they choose to go. Finally, we invite on two of CollegeFindMe’s top high school interns to share how they’re stepping outside the box in high school and what that means for their own post-graduation goals.

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk (along with @collegefindme!) and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. This week, we welcome a very special guest who managed to become an entrepreneur, author, blogger, social media influencer, speaker, podcaster, yogi, wellness coach, and so much more…all while she was an undergraduate at Vanderbilt University? That’s right. Meet Sloane Elizabeth.   

It’s no coincidence that Sloane (better known as “Kale & Kravings” online) is now traveling the world, running her own business, and working for herself from an office space that used to be her childhood playroom. Sloane shares her belief that our greatest passions and strengths stem from what we enjoyed the most as children (22:50). As a little girl, Sloane loved channeling her creative and nurturing energy by caring for baby dolls and brainstorming new inventions. Throughout high school, she ran a successful baking business known as “Sloane’s Sweets & Treats”, but it wasn’t until the summer before her sophomore year at Vanderbilt that she became reinvested in caring for her own physical and mental health as a college student. Kale & Kravings began as an Instagram feed of healthy, delectable, and college-dorm-room-friendly meals that Sloane enjoyed sharing with her growing audience. But it has since expanded to encompass all of the principles and practices that continue to power her personal success and positive impact on the world.   

Firstly, Sloane is not a fan of the word “balance” (11:47). Instead, she coaches clients in prioritization and reminds RCT listeners that it’s okay to say no to what doesn’t fulfill you, to step outside of the status quo at your school or community (18:15), and to boldly work smarter, not harder (25:20) toward growth that will last far beyond a college degree.  

To our college freshmen, Sloane has some specific advice for you (28:26), but be sure to get her book and listen to the latest release on her own podcast, Get the Glowdown, for even more tips, tricks, and advice for navigating that first year of college! Finally, Sloane believes that beyond physical health, “mindset is number one”, and she wraps up with some of her favorite mindset habits to help you discover your passions and start living an exception life in whatever school, job, or season you find yourself in (41:25).   

To connect with Sloane for free content and life-changing resources, follow her on Instagram (@kaleandkravings), subscribe to her blog, and listen to the latest on her podcast, Get the Glowdown!  

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. This week, the RCT crew pulled in our first internationally-born guest, Taiwanese student Jason (Yun-Tsung) Liu, from Tainan, Taiwan.

In this episode, Jason recounts his inspiring story of arriving in America, with little command of the English language, and delving into the foreign system of American education (2:30). He addresses the isolation of international students from domestic students in American high schoolers, and how he broke the barriers that faced him (6:10). Jason doubles down on the importance of getting out of comfort zones, especially when it comes to building relationships in new places (9:12). He then shares how that helped him to take a unique approach to the college application process (11:07), how it landed him at Indiana University (12:35), and how it influenced his post-graduate aspirations (15:12). Jason closes out with some advice he’d give to his freshman self, as well as to all international students who are beginning the transition into a new and immersive education (17:48).

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. In this episode, Morgan dives deep into the ins and outs of college applications (and deciding if college is right for you!) with her very own college counselor, Shannon Harrison.  

You know a college consultant loves their job when they compare application season to “football season" (2:10)! Since becoming a certified college advisor, Shannon has supported hundreds of students in their matriculation to the nation’s top universities, amazing community college programs, and gap year adventures alike. In #KeepItReal fashion, Shannon opens up by discussing her firm belief in the value of higher education (3:10), but also shares that her first question to all students she works with is “do you even want to go to college?” She explains that college isn’t necessarily for everyone, and then offers some key considerations and criteria that high school students should account for when determining which college (if any) is the right fit for them. For students who decide to apply to college, Shannon emphasizes the importance of creating a “balanced college list” (8:55) comprised of schools which truly match the student’s unique interests, passions, goals, personality…and budget?That’s right. Shannon discusses a major shift that has taken place in the world of college counseling over the past ~10 years in that now more than ever, high school students must consider and establish realistic expectations of the financial commitment they choose to make to their education BEFORE applying. She offers actionable tips for students to use in gaining clarity, getting prepared, and making the most responsible choice for the cost of an undergraduate education. Last but mot least, Shannon offers some rapid fire insight on the best practices, mindset hacks, and habits of the most successful students she’s worked with in college and in life (21:35). Finally, we wrap up with a deep-dive in finding “fit” between you and the colleges you’re applying to, as well as Shannon’s top resources for additional information regarding college applications and life after high school. Visit the links in the episode's YouTube description for a collection of tools, databases, and platforms to help make your post-grad decision truly your own!   

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!

Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. In this episode, we interview our very own, Nikhil Namburi, to share in the excitement and nervousness of leaving home for the first time as a college freshman.

We talk about college life all the time here at RCT, but now Nikhil is about to live it! As Nikhil preps to head off to the University of Notre Dame, he shares his top packing tips for making a far-away college destination feel a bit more like home (2:10). We talk the logistics of dorm-room must-have's, how to determine if packing/buying/shipping is most cost-effective for your college needs (8:20), prepping to live with a roommate (11:00), as well as some unexpected necessities that you won't want to forget when moving away from home (4:40)! We then transition to a more serious topic of what it feels like to leave the familiarity of home to dive into college life. Nikhil shares how he decided to switch his major from computer science to economics and how this shift better aligns with his goals and ambitions in school and beyond (15:00). As excited as Nikhil is, he shares his nerves of moving to a different state to make his home in a new environment (17:25). The takeaway? Starting college or any new life chapter pulls us out of our comfort zone. It can be uncomfortable, challenging, even scary. But when we put in the thought and time to set ourselves up for success and happiness along the journey, the excitement of starting a new chapter makes up for all of the nervousness. Besides, everyone else is winging it too - keep it real :)

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!