April 23, 2024 NPR launched The College Podcast Challenge, a nationwide contest where students create 7 minute podcasts.

Hey there, Friend!

In the higher ed and college prep world, we talk SO much about the process of getting into college—SAT scores, app deadlines, financial aid…

…but where’s all the chatter on the other side of admission? 🤷🏾‍♀️

In an effort to shed more light on all the interesting things current college students are doing inside and outside the classroom, NPR launched The College Podcast Challenge, a nationwide contest where students created a ~7 minute podcast on a topic of personal importance for a chance to have their work featured on NPR.

From growing up in a conservative Christian household to living without devices for a day, each of the 10 finalists created thought-provoking pieces that make you think about modern college life in new ways:

“Um okay cool Danielle, but why exactly are you sharing this?” 🤔

Because so often the college prep process can feel dry and tedious, but actual life in college is anything but! It can be full of creative projects, opportunities, and contests like this one—if you know how to seek them out.

Here are a few questions you can ask on your next tour to help you do just that:

• What’s the most exciting class project you’ve done to date and why?

• What opportunities are there for students to build their professional portfolio?

• How do students get connected to opportunities that allow them to show off their skills and learnings?

Go ahead, give those NPR finalists a listen as the students tell their stories via podcast and report back…I’ll wait. 🛋️

Which entry did you enjoy most? Any big takeaways? Hit ‘Reply’ and let me know—I’m a real human who reads each one! 👋

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