A nanoCHAt conversation about ways that instructors can level the playing field for students coming into a course with a variety of academic backgrounds. Recorded by VIPEr Fellows James Dunne, Megan Lazorski, Rudy Luck, and Claude Mertzenich with Shirley Lin (moderator) on April 1, 2021.  The full nanoCHAt playlist can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2wnHWA8OaA5Y6pPaOk2zt6wwrd2HK6kP