Shows
College With MattieTop 50 Schools: According To College With MattieIn the Season 1 finale of College With Mattie, Mattie and Michelle rank their Top 50 schools based on prestige, perception, student reactions, and parent bragging rights. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/
2025-08-1038 minCollege With MattieOur Recommendations Οn Letters Of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation will be needed in your college applications. Who should you ask? How important are they? What should go in them? Mattie and Michelle discuss this part of the college application and give you pointers on what to look for and what to avoid in your LORs. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/ Articles and websites mentioned: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/admissions/traditional-age/2025/07/09/college-counselors-write-shorter-letters-students-color https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2018/10/22/do-recommendation-letters-insert-bias-college-admissions-decisions https://www.nacacnet...
2025-08-0345 minCollege With MattieCrash Course To Getting Started On Your College ApplicationWhen you begin the college application process, you are likely tempted to begin with the personal statement, the hardest and most important thing. But is that the right course of action? Mattie and Michelle break down everything you have to do to get into to college and the right order to make the most of your time. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/
2025-07-2726 minCollege With MattieThe Best Topic For Your College Essay Is Your MajorThe best way to show a school that you belong there is to back up your major in your essay. Mattie breaks down why this works, how to pull it off, and how to stick the landing. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/
2025-07-2027 minCollege With MattieFLL: Mattie’s Grand Strategy To Get You Into CollegeTime to dive into the core concept behind all the advice Mattie gives his students - to F*cking Love Learning. Colleges are looking for students and nothing makes a better student than a thirst for knowledge. Here’s how to apply it in your application. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/
2025-07-1319 minCollege With MattieAre You In Waitlist Limbo?Have you been waitlisted? Mattie and Michelle unpack the mystery of what that means so that you can respond accordingly. Applying to college soon? You can get help from Mattie and Michelle at https://www.collegewithmattie.com/services/ Articles mentioned: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/theres-a-crazy-new-wrinkle-to-college-admissions.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/brennanbarnard/2025/05/25/college-admission-waitlist-follies/ Trump bars Harvard from enrolling international students: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/05/22/harvard-barred-from-enrolling-international-students-by-trump-administration-report-says/
2025-07-0640 minCollege With MattieHaving The Stats But Getting Rejected By College: What Happened?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 Ma...
2025-05-1842 minCollege With MattiePassion Projects: Internet Fad Or Key To College Admissions?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/
2025-05-1142 minCollege With MattieMy 6-Month Strategy To Applying To CollegeCollege 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/
2025-05-0435 minCollege With MattieWhy Are Students Applying To More And More Schools?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...
2025-04-2741 minCollege With MattiePre-Med Is Not A MajorDo 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
2025-04-2028 minCollege With MattieNavigating the 2025 Common App ChangesMattie 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/
2025-04-1340 minCollege With MattieOh No! You're Well-Rounded! But You Can Still Get Into CollegeIs 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/
2025-04-0632 minCollege With MattieLet’s Talk About Dream Schools In 2025Mattie 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/
2025-03-3043 minCollege With MattieHow To Get Into Top Schools For Computer ScienceDo 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/
2025-03-2333 minCollege With MattieThe Spread Of The Computer Science MajorFrom 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/
2025-03-1629 minCollege With MattieThe Meaning Of College PrestigeOne 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/
2025-03-0246 minCollege With MattieAI Use In College Admissions: What Does This Mean For Applicants?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/
2025-02-2330 minCollege With MattieDon't Write About Sports In Your College EssayWriting 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/
2025-02-1623 minCollege With MattieThe Ethics Of Lying On Your College ApplicationWhen 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/
2025-02-0931 minCollege With MattieIvy League Admissions: A Changing LandscapeEvery 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/
2025-02-0239 minCollege With MattieCollege Admissions CountdownResults 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/
2025-01-2633 minCollege With MattieThe Trouble With Institutional PrioritiesMattie 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/
2025-01-1927 minCollege With MattieLearning From Real Student Applications - Part 2: Personal Statement Breakdown & Yale SupplementsMattie 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!
2025-01-1246 minCollege With MattieLearning From Real Student Applications - Part 1: Stats & Personal StatementMattie 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.
2025-01-0518 minCollege With MattieRed Flags In Your College ApplicationMy 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/
2024-12-2225 minCollege With MattieCollege Admissions Timeline: Stay On TrackApplying 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/
2024-12-1547 minCollege With MattieYour Highschool Determines Your CollegeAside from your education, your high school influences the college you’ll go to in other ways. In this week’s episode, Mattie introduces Michelle to Polaris List, talks about feeder schools, why they seem to matter, and who your competition really is.
2024-12-0837 minCollege With MattieThe Man Behind The Varsity Blues Scandal Is Out Of PrisonRick Singer is out of prison and it’s time to revisit the Varsity Blues scandal and how the world of college consulting responded. Mattie and Michelle discuss what Rick Singer is doing now and what you need to look for in a college consultant. Read more about Mattie’s thoughts at the time: https://www.collegewithmattie.com/my-take-on-operation-varsity-blues-the-college-admissions-scandal-as-a-fellow-college-admissions-consultant/
2024-12-0142 minCollege With MattieFive Core Fundamentals Of College WritingIn 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.
2024-11-2430 minCollege With MattieThe End Of Affirmative Action: One Year LaterThe Supreme Court banned college admissions based on race and ended affirmative action programs in higher education. Mattie and Michelle discuss how this has changed the landscape of admitted students and how universities are responding to the situation. When is race still relevant? When and how should you bring it up in your application?
2024-11-1741 minCollege With MattieBack Up Your MajorOne 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.
2024-11-1028 minCollege With MattieAre Legacy Admissions Over?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.
2024-11-0338 minCollege With MattieSuccessful College Essays Follow FLLMattie breaks down his method: F*cking Love Learning. FLL forsters intellectual vitality and academic enthusiasm to make your essay stand out and get you into college. How do you apply it? Why does it work?
2024-10-2729 minCollege With MattieThe Present And Future Of AI In College AdmissionsMichelle 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.
2024-10-2035 minCollege With MattieTerrible Yet Common College Admissions AdviceMattie dives into the most common pieces of bad advice students receive when they begin the college admissions process. Learn how to seek out the advice that is best for you and how to recognize the so-called tips that may be holding you back.
2024-10-1328 minCollege With MattieLearning From Essays That Got Into HarvardMichelle chooses some essays used by students who got into Harvard and Mattie analyzes the elements that work and the problems they present to surface vital essay writing tips. The essays are found on The Crimson: https://www.thecrimson.com/topic/sponsored-successful-harvard-essays-2024/
2024-10-1155 minCollege With MattieWhy Most College Essays Are TerribleMattie breaks down college essays and the most common reason most of them fail: omniscient narration. Learn to recognize the ways fiction writing can surface in your college essay, why it damages your authenticity, and how to fix it.
2024-10-0920 min2024-10-0301 min
Cultural CapitalEpisode 15 - Queen of Katwe, Proof, MUBI, Top 3 Precocious Children of CinemaThe "Disney in Africa" edition.
00:45 Queen of Katwe
11:35 Proof
22:35 What’s on in Melbourne
24:10 MUBI
27:33 Top 3 precocious children of cinema
Anders:
Jeremy Chabriel’s Alexander in Ariel Kleiman’s ‘Partisan’
Evan Rachel Wood’s Veda Pierce in Todd Haynes’ ‘Mildred Pierce’
Elias and Lucas in Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s ‘Goodbye Mummy’
Andy:
Haillee Steinfeld’s Mattie Ross in Joel and Ethan Cohen’s ‘True Grit’
Ivana Baquero’s Ofelia in Guermo del Toro’s ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’
Catinca Untaru’s Alexandria in Tarsem Singh’s ‘The Fall’
Eloise:
Macaulay Culkin in ‘Home Alone’
Bonita Granville’s Mary Tilford in William Wyler’s ’These Three’
Billy Chapin’s John Har
2016-12-0449 min