Navigating the college search and admission process is rough — emotionally, practically, financially. (Eep!) It completely stressed me out, and I’m a pretty Type B mom. So learn from my mistakes! Make it easier on yourself by listening to all the helpful advice available to you.

That’s why we are so lucky to be getting pro tips from Alyse Levine, one of the foremost college counseling experts in the country. She’s not only worked with high school students at all levels at one of New York City’s most prestigious schools, she’s the former assistant director of undergrad admissions at Washington University in St. Louis.

So clearly she’s got an invaluable perspective on when to start thinking about schools, how many times to take the SATs (if at all), making a well-rounded college list, overdoing it on extracurriculars, and more. Plus, she’s wildly reassuring. Which we all need.

“We romanticize this process. It’s so American of us, to talk about this ‘dream college’…I think that’s such a false notion There are so many colleges where each and every student can be happy and successful.” – Alyse Levine


Alyse also happens to be the founder and CEO of the renown counseling service Premium Prep, who I’m so excited to welcome as our newest sponsor. And hey — you get 30 minutes of her advice absolutely free right here.

Also stay tuned for more about our cool picks of the week including Blue Moon Estate Sales, Luv Michael Granola made by adults on the autism spectrum, and the cool college dorm pick my own daughter discovered.

Special Offer

Spawned Listeners and Cool Mom Picks readers: Save up to $1000 (really!) on a Premium Prep program through premiumprep.com/cool-mom or by mentioning Spawned. They’ve helped guide 93% of their students into one of their top three college choices so… take that offer before 1/31/2024. It’s a good one.

Premium Prep College Counseling has helped 93% of their students get into one of their top 3 schools! Save up to $1000 with this offer | spawned podcast x premium prep sponsorship

If you want to chat about today’s episode, you can ask Alyse questions through the Premium Prep Facebook page, or find me in the Spawned Community on Facebook. Or hey– right here in comments works too.

Be sure to subscribe to Spawned  wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for listening!