The Meaning Of College Prestige

College With Mattie

33:19

What’s the secret to lasting friendships? How does queer community show up through the ebbs and flows of life? And what’s the REAL story behind the “YMCA” song? In the first episode of Silver Linings, The Old Gays dive into an essential part of queer life: chosen family. They discuss the vital love, support, and sense of belonging that community provides, especially during life's toughest moments. They open up about what “queer” means to them, how chosen family has impacted their lives, and how to maintain close bonds over time–including their love for each other! “We’ve come a long way, baby.” Family isn’t just what you’re born with; it’s the people who show up, shape you, and stick around. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

about a year ago 46:51

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One of the most debated and discussed topics relating to college: prestige. Mattie and Michelle unpack what college prestige really means and whether or not it’s actually important.

The Meaning Of College Prestige

College With Mattie

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

One of the most debated and discussed topics relating to college: prestige. Mattie and Michelle unpack what college prestige really means and whether or not it’s actually important.

All episodes

1
Having The Stats But Getting Rejected By College: What Happened? 42:30

16 days ago42:30

42:30

Sometimes, impressive students don’t end up with impressive admissions results. Mattie and Michelle dive into a few cases to talk about the reasons students may be unexpectedly rejected from colleges they apply to. https://archive.is/20250428185853/https://www.washingtonpost.com/advice/2025/04/28/carolyn-hax-elite-college-dreams-shame/ https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/teen-sf-entrepreneur-s-college-essay-went-viral-after-being-rejected-by-stanford-harvard-and-yale/ar- Personal statement: https://x.com/zach_yadegari/status/1906888487292559531 https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-04/rejected-by-16-colleges-hired-by-google-now-hes-suing-some-of-the-schools-for-anti-asian-discrimination https://nypost.com/2025/03/03/us-news/stanley-zhong-had-a-4-4-gpa-but-got-rejected-by-16-colleges-now-hes-suing/ Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
Passion Projects: Internet Fad Or Key To College Admissions? 42:23

23 days ago42:23

42:23

Passion projects keep appearing as the secret to getting accepted into college, but what does this mean? Mattie and Michelle break down what a passion project is and if it actually increases your admission chances. https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhernholm/2025/03/05/4-ways-teens-can-stand-out-in-college-admissions/ https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/college-admissions-educational-consultants-command-education.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2025/01/14/want-to-get-into-mit-heres-what-you-should-be-doing-this-summer/ Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
My 6-Month Strategy To Applying To College 35:50

30 days ago35:50

35:50

College applications can be tough to manage. Mattie breaks down what you need to do and when, but most importantly, how to best structure your work to get all your applications in and work in the most efficient way. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
Why Are Students Applying To More And More Schools? 41:09

5 weeks ago41:09

41:09

The stress of college applications is leading more students to apply to more schools. What does this mean for them? Does it really help? What does it mean for admissions teams? Mattie and Michelle unpack the trend of shotgunning. https://www.highereddive.com/news/common-app-data-shows-5-jump-in-first-year-college-applicants/737732/ https://counselors.collegeboard.org/college-application/how-many#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20magic%20number,%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9Creach%E2%80%9D%20colleges https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/south-fulton-county/exemplifies-excellence-south-fulton-student-accepted-colleges-all-50-states-155-total/BNJNUNYJZZD2RLJZJYGOFTZKRQ/ Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
Pre-Med Is Not A Major 28:20

6 weeks ago28:20

28:20

Do you want to be a doctor? Pre-med is not a major, so this is how you need to apply to college to start your journey to studying medicine. Mattie and Michelle talk about reframing your activities and focus into a major that can lead you down the right path, and why you need to do that. Mattie's blog post on the topic: https://www.collegewithmattie.com/pre-med-is-not-a-major/ Top Medical School Feeders https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/top-feeders-medical-school Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
Navigating the 2025 Common App Changes 40:33

7 weeks ago40:33

40:33

Mattie and Michelle discuss the latest updates to the Common App for 2025. From the expanded "Challenges and Circumstances" question to changes in word limits, they break down how this affects students and celebrate Georgetown joining the Common App (finally). Georgetown joins the Common App in 2026: https://thehoya.com/news/breaking-gu-to-join-common-app/ Announcing 25-26 Common App Essay Prompts: https://www.commonapp.org/blog/announcing-2025-2026-common-app-essay-prompts Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
Oh No! You're Well-Rounded! But You Can Still Get Into College 32:25

8 weeks ago32:25

32:25

Is being well-rounded always good? When it comes to applying to college, it’s often a weakness and not a strength-unless you use it wisely. Mattie and Michelle dive into the reasons it can hold you back and how to navigate your many talents and interests to your advantage when applying to the school you want. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
Let’s Talk About Dream Schools In 2025 43:27

9 weeks ago43:27

43:27

Mattie and Michelle talk about dream schools, managing expectations and handling stress. They go over the Princeton Review’s Annual Hopes & Dreams Survey and compare the answers given by students and their parents. Princeton Review Infographics: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/college-hopes-worries#Infographic Press Release with Findings: https://www.princetonreview.com/press/college-hopes-worries-press-release-2025 Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
How To Get Into Top Schools For Computer Science 33:11

10 weeks ago33:11

33:11

Do you want to study computer science in college? Mattie breaks down the best way to get into your school of choice by helping you frame your knowledge and passion so that you assemble the best application you can. What should your essay really say? Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
The Spread Of The Computer Science Major 29:35

11 weeks ago29:35

29:35

From a niche science degree to the most popular major, Mattie and Michelle tackle the evolution of Computer Science as a college major. How have students shaped their goals and how have schools responded? Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
The Meaning Of College Prestige 46:51

13 weeks ago46:51

46:51

One of the most debated and discussed topics relating to college: prestige. Mattie and Michelle unpack what college prestige really means and whether or not it’s actually important. Related Links https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/how-ivy-league-schools-tilt-your-odds-in-the-lottery-of-life-590f8ec1 https://opportunityinsights.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CollegeAdmissions_Nontech.pdf Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
AI Use In College Admissions: What Does This Mean For Applicants? 30:16

14 weeks ago30:16

30:16

Mattie and Michelle tackle AI and college admissions again, but this time they talk about how colleges use it - not students. How does this affect your college application strategy? Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/

1
Don't Write About Sports In Your College Essay 23:55

15 weeks ago23:55

23:55

Writing about sports in your college essay seems like the obvious thing to do when you are a student athlete, but in this episode, Mattie and Michelle tackle all the reasons to avoid that, whether or not you are being recruited. Learn what to write about instead and why in this episode of College With Mattie. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
The Ethics Of Lying On Your College Application 31:09

16 weeks ago31:09

31:09

When you tell a college what you want to major in, should you be honest? Or should you lie to give yourself a better chance of acceptance? Mattie and Michelle talk about the moral issue of lying in your college application and whether or not it actually works - as well as how to do it right! https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/15/magazine/academic-interests-college-application-ethics.html Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

1
Ivy League Admissions: A Changing Landscape 39:32

17 weeks ago39:32

39:32

Every year college admissions change, but what really drives these changes? Mattie and Michelle talk about the Ivy League admissions trends for 2025 and break down what they mean for new applicants, if they are real shifts or just hypes, and how college-bound students need to respond. Articles discussed: https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2025/01/01/top-5-ivy-league-college-admissions-trends-to-watch-in-2025/ https://www.applerouth.com/blog/the-demographic-cliff-what-it-means-for-college-admissions-and-higher-education Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

College With Mattie

1
College Admissions Countdown 33:28

18 weeks ago33:28

33:28

Results season is coming up! Mattie and Michelle talk about when you hear back from different schools and what your acceptance status at certain schools means as you wait for other results. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/…

College With Mattie

1
The Trouble With Institutional Priorities 27:48

19 weeks ago27:48

27:48

Mattie breaks down the concept of institutional priorities and the part they play in college admissions. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/

College With Mattie

1
Learning From Real Student Applications - Part 2: Personal Statement Breakdown & Yale Supplements 46:29

20 weeks ago46:29

46:29

Mattie and Michelle examine a real student application. In this second part, Mattie breaks down and critiques Sarah’s personal statement and Yale supplements. Learn what works, what doesn’t and why!

College With Mattie

1
Learning From Real Student Applications - Part 1: Stats & Personal Statement 18:00

21 weeks ago18:00

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Mattie and Michelle examine a real student application, including the personal statement and supplements, and then share the results. In this first part, learn about the student’s background, stats, and personal statement. Tune in for the next episode, where Mattie breaks down the personal statement sentence by sentence and comments on the same student's Yale supplements.…

College With Mattie

1
Red Flags In Your College Application 25:01

23 weeks ago25:01

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My Central Jersey released an article titled “5 red flags for college admissions officers”. This week Mattie and Michelle are reviewing those red flags and providing solutions for students who see them in their applications. https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/education/college/2024/12/08/5-red-flags-for-college-admissions-officers/76798269007/…

College With Mattie

1
College Admissions Timeline: Stay On Track 47:07

24 weeks ago47:07

47:07

Applying to college is a lengthy and complicated process. Knowing what to do and when is confusing and overwhelming, so in this episode Mattie and Michelle break down the timeline students need to follow. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/complex-applications-create-barriers-to-college-some-are-trying-to-change-that/…

College With Mattie

1
Your Highschool Determines Your College 37:29

25 weeks ago37:29

37:29

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College With Mattie

1
The Man Behind The Varsity Blues Scandal Is Out Of Prison 42:54

26 weeks ago42:54

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College With Mattie

1
Five Core Fundamentals Of College Writing 30:33

27 weeks ago30:33

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In this week’s episode, Mattie breaks down college essay writing and the main elements a successful essay incorporates. These tips can teach you how to craft a compelling essay that resonates with the reader and improve your overall writing.

College With Mattie

1
The End Of Affirmative Action: One Year Later 41:38

28 weeks ago41:38

41:38

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College With Mattie

1
Back Up Your Major 28:18

29 weeks ago28:18

28:18

One of the basic principles of Mattie’s FLL strategy is to back up your major. This helps potential colleges get a clear idea of the place you’d have at their campus. In this episode, Mattie breaks down how this works and how you can use your goals to earn a spot at the college of your choice.

College With Mattie

1
Are Legacy Admissions Over? 38:52

30 weeks ago38:52

38:52

As California bans legacy admissions, Mattie and Michelle discuss what this means for legacy students and non, as well as how they predict this unfolding. Tune in to see how this affects you and how to adapt your strategy for getting into college.

College With Mattie

1
Successful College Essays Follow FLL 29:13

31 weeks ago29:13

29:13

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College With Mattie

1
The Present And Future Of AI In College Admissions 35:13

32 weeks ago35:13

35:13

Michelle and Mattie delve into the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on college admissions and essay writing. Is it cheating? Is it a tool? Does it do a good job? As students turn to AI tools more and more, the question of how appropriate that is rises.

College With Mattie

1
Terrible Yet Common College Admissions Advice 28:38

33 weeks ago28:38