This episode features Alyse Levine, Founder and CEO of Premium Prep College Counseling, a leading expert in college admissions. Alyse shares insights from her extensive experience working on both the university admissions side and as a private counselor.

🔑 Key Takeaways from the Episode

• Evolving Admissions Criteria: The focus has shifted dramatically from just academics and extracurriculars to including a "third dimension": character. Colleges are increasingly looking at who students are and why they do what they do (e.g., community involvement, humility, growth).
• Increased Competition: Admission rates at many selective public and private institutions have become significantly more competitive in the last 5-8 years. Alyse cites examples of schools where admit rates have dropped by over 50%.
• The Rise of Early Decision: Colleges are relying more heavily on Early Decision (binding application) to secure their classes, often leading to significantly higher acceptance rates during the ED round compared to Regular Decision.
• Handling AI in Applications: While AI (like ChatGPT) can be a useful tool for brainstorming and organization (e.g., resumes), students should never use it to write their essays. Admissions counselors can easily spot unoriginal work, and using AI compromises a student's voice and authenticity—a critical factor in standing out.
• Strategy in Choosing a Major: The choice of major matters, especially at large state universities and schools with distinct colleges (like Engineering or Business). Highly popular majors can have much lower admit rates than the overall university rate. Students should investigate which schools "read by major" and consider less-popular but related fields (e.g., Sociology instead of Psychology) if their interests align.
• Authenticity and Personal Interaction: Students should showcase their genuine personality through their essays and, where possible, personal interactions. Alyse notes the rise of the "Glimpse" video, a 60-90 second unedited video introduction, as a way for colleges to gain a more personal look at applicants.

🌟 Practical Advice for Parents & Students

1. Stay Organized: Parents can provide huge support by helping students manage timelines, applications, and requirements—especially necessary for a process that can feel overwhelming.
2. Give Space for Ownership: Allow students to take the lead in the process to demonstrate their maturity and readiness for college.
3. Provide a "Brag Sheet": Offer detailed information to the high school counselor for their letter of recommendation, which is crucial for a strong application.
4. Demonstrate Interest (Engagement): Help the student plan in-person or virtual college visits and maintain meaningful contact (e.g., opening emails, asking informed follow-up questions) with schools that track interest.
5. Seek Joy and Growth: View the process not as a stressful race, but as a journey of self-discovery and an opportunity to select their next "home" based on a deep understanding of their personal and academic fit.

📞 Connect with Premium Prep

• Website: premiumprep.com
• Phone: 1-800-560-8760
• Email Alyse Levine Directly: [email protected]

For more information on tutoring with Simplifi EDU, visit www.simplifiedu.com