Episode 03 Recap

In this episode, Noel Rangel, an Educational Advisor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and I discuss who should apply to college and what barriers to success might be.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, thank you for joining us on this podcast journey! I met Noel a few years ago at a college and career fair at the public library. From that first introduction, I knew we shared the same vision for our community: helping students realize their potential through accessible, affordable education.

If you’ve been with us since the beginning, you probably know there’s always more I’d love to squeeze into our recordings than any podcast format can hold. So instead, you get my written rants—enjoy!

on who college is for

Noel mentioned in the episode that he sometimes felt overlooked because he wasn’t a top-ranking student. We’ve heard this from others in our community, too—even some of our own students. But here’s the truth: there’s a college option for anyone who wants to go.

You might hear fear-mongering on social media—or even from teachers and counselors—that you need to be a near-perfect student to get into college or earn scholarships. That’s not true (and feel free to show them this post if they’re being mean about it).

Yes, if you’re aiming for top-tier universities, the process is highly competitive. Their average SAT scores top 1400, and their extracurricular lists look superhuman. But schools like our very own UTRGV have very different requirements. In the latest admitted class, the average ACT score was around 20, and less than half ranked in the top 25% of their high school class. That means more than half of UTRGV’s incoming students were considered “average” in high school.

As for paying for school, full-ride merit scholarships at elite universities do demand excellence—but merit aid isn’t the only option. Federal and state financial aid are based on need (with minimal grade requirements), and many institutions also provide need-based assistance that has nothing to do with your GPA.

TL;DR: You don’t need straight A’s or a packed résumé to get into college and get help paying for it—you just need to apply on time!

on extracurriculars

One of the most underrated parts of college and career readiness is extracurricular involvement. These are the spaces where we discover what we like, why we enjoy it, and who we share it with. Noel and I shared lessons from theatre—life is a stage, and you can always choose the character you want to embody.

What you might not know is that I was the queen of unusual extracurriculars. Appalachian lap dulcimer lessons? Count me in. Current events UIL team? Absolutely. As my mom put it, I was a “chile de todos los moles”—and that love of being involved didn’t stop in high school. Once I got to college, I jumped right into campus life: joining cultural groups, helping build a nonprofit, working countless jobs, and even serving on the student council my senior year.

So why do colleges actually care about this? Because extracurriculars show you’ll add to their community. You’ll get involved, contribute, care about issues, and help solve problems. You’ll also be more likely to persist when things get tough if you’re connected to peers and organizations.

It’s easy to feel like you don’t have time for anything beyond academics, and yes, your grades and test scores matter. But don’t neglect the fun activities that build community and help you better understand yourself.

on "making money"

I was going to go on a huge spiel about this, but honestly Phil always says this part better, so look out for his article in your inbox this Saturday!

on the future of CAMP and similar resources

Unfortunately, shortly after we recorded this episode, the federal government cut funding for TRIO programs—including the College Assistance for Migrants Program (CAMP) that Noel mentioned. TRIO has a long history, beginning with the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and the Higher Education Act of 1965, and these programs have been vital in communities like ours, where schools and families often lack the resources to support students fully.

It’s a shame that initiatives designed to help those who need it most are being halted, cut, or criticized. So what can we do? Call your representatives. Advocate for our students. And if all else fails, let’s rebuild together. As a community, we can step up to help bridge the gaps in resources, knowledge, and opportunity.

on navigating resources & finding help

We’ve previously shared a checklist for new students to help you get settled on campus and explore all the resources available—we’ll link it below!

on being the dumbest in the room & getting uncomfortable

I transferred to an elite boarding school halfway through high school. At my public school, I was top of my class, loved reading, and was the nerdiest person you could imagine. I had no doubts about my academic ability at this new school—until my first writing-heavy course, where I earned my first “D.”

The grade was not good, but what hurt more was the response when I asked for help. My teacher agreed, on the condition that I read my essay aloud so I could “hear my obvious mistakes.” At the same time, I hadn’t completed a single assigned reading that week—because I didn’t even know what a syllabus was or where to find it. In my old school, teachers always handed out assignments and wrote homework on the board. Suddenly, I felt like the worst, least capable student in the room.

Here’s the truth: it wasn’t my fault. I had never been taught to write at that level. I had never been expected to manage a syllabus. I couldn’t have known what no one had shown me.

But I grew. In Mr. McConnell’s history class, I became a stronger writer who could communicate ideas clearly. I learned to take feedback, to embrace discomfort, and to see being “the dumbest person in the room” as temporary. Eventually, I caught up to my peers—and even surpassed some. I graduated in the top half of my class, which felt like a huge accomplishment given where I started. More importantly, I learned how to navigate new, unfamiliar environments—skills I still rely on today.

So if you ever feel stuck, join a group where you’re the beginner. Dance class, run club, book club—it doesn’t matter. Growth comes from putting yourself in places where you have the most to learn. And if you’re already in a space where everyone feels smarter than you, remember this: I showed up to class for a week without doing the reading, failed my first major assignment, had to read it aloud for feedback, and didn’t die of embarrassment. I lived, I learned—and so will you.