Getting In: A College Coach Conversation Honors Programs; Computer Science Majors; Student Loan Grace Period: Now What?
Dec 4, 2025
Guests Jen Simons, a former college admissions officer, Lauren Savage, a former Carnegie Mellon admissions officer, and Zachery Gries, a financial aid expert, provide invaluable insights. Jen explains the advantages of honors programs, such as small classes and enhanced faculty access, while cautioning about application effort. Lauren discusses the varying focuses of computer science programs, from theoretical to practical, highlighting specific niches like AI and computational biology. Zachery guides listeners through student loan repayment steps, emphasizing servicer awareness and repayment plan options.
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Combine Biology And CS With Computational Biology
- If you like biology and computing, explore computational biology for interdisciplinary lab-data work.
- Seek programs that teach both lab techniques and data analysis to bridge biology and CS.
Find And Bookmark Your Loan Servicer
- Before repayment, identify and bookmark your loan servicer and their website.
- Your servicer is the primary contact for payment details, plans, and account management.
Don't Assume Your Repayment Plan Fits
- Expect federal loans to default to the standard 10-year repayment plan unless you choose otherwise.
- Review the default payment amount and contact your servicer if it doesn't fit your budget.