Ivy League Prep Academy Podcast

Dickinson College professor Elizabeth Lee joins us to discuss how the aligning your choices around your core values helps you prepare for college and for long-term success.  We discuss why her daughter, a high school freshman, signed up for the Ivy League Challenge, and how Professor Lee's experience teaching in college for over two decades made her clear that she wanted this.  After we stopp...

You’ve done the hard thinking. You’ve found your insights, explored your contradictions, and reflected deeply. But now you’re stuck—staring at a blank page, unsure how to turn those ideas into a compelling college essay. In this episode, Steve explains why the next step is not perfection—it’s motion . You’ll learn how to choose the right moment to write about, why your first draft should be messy,...

If you’ve been putting off your college essay, dreading it like a monkey on your back—you’re not alone. But what if you could stop trying to sound impressive and start telling a story that actually matters ? In this episode, I’ll guide you through the exact questions and strategies we used in the first week of my Personal Statement Workshop to help students uncover stories that admissions officers...

The personal statement can be one of the most confusing and stressful parts of the college application — but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I share a few key do's and don'ts to help you avoid common pitfalls and start your essay with clarity and confidence. Whether you're staring at a blank page or already brainstorming ideas, these tips will help you stay on track and writ...

The personal statement is one of the most important — and misunderstood — parts of the college application. In this short, powerful episode, Steve Gardner explains why so many students struggle to get started, what the real purpose of the personal statement is, and how families can reduce stress and gain a competitive edge now , before summer slips away. If you're a parent or student feeling...

You’ve made it to the end of AP season—or you're just about to. So… what now? In this episode, I share what successful students actually do after their exams are over to prepare for college applications. These are the same strategies used by Ivy League, Stanford, and MIT admits—and they’re simple, clear, and powerful. You’ll learn: Why the summer after junior year is a “bonus semester” The tw...

Are you feeling pressure to make the most of summer—but not sure what actually matters for college admissions? In this episode, Steve Gardner breaks down the three most common mistakes high-achieving students make when planning their summer... and shows you how to avoid them. You’ll meet: Sophia , who overloaded her schedule trying to impress colleges Daniel , who created a meaningful project from...

Steve sits down with Tessymol Jose — the inspiring mother of Erica, one of our incredible students — to tell the full, raw story of their college admissions journey. This isn’t a sugar-coated success story. It’s a front-row seat to the overwhelming pressure, confusion, and heartbreak that so many ambitious students (and their families) experience when they follow the wrong roadmap to college admis...

This episode is a special one — made especially for parents of Curiosity Lab students , but meaningful for anyone raising a curious preteen. Inside, Steve shares: Why curiosity is a skill , not a personality trait — and why that matters The five core pillars of the Curiosity Lab (and how they work together) Three powerful ways parents can support curiosity at home A bonus mindset shift that will c...

Most teens today feel overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in the race to be impressive — all while secretly wondering: “How do some students become so great, so young?” In this episode, we break down the real process of building passion and achieving meaningful success — not by performing for approval, but by discovering purpose and leaning into long-term growth. You’ll learn: Why passion isn’t foun...

What if the real test in college admissions isn’t the one you think it is? In this episode, we unpack “The Hidden Test” —the one that’s not on any syllabus and can’t be studied for with flashcards. Drawing from a powerful psychological experiment, wisdom from Ivy League deans Lee Coffin (Dartmouth) and Logan Powell (Brown), and real insights from the admissions process, we reveal how selective col...

In this episode, I’m thrilled to introduce something brand new — Curiosity Lab , a program designed to ignite the minds of 10–13-year-olds through real-world learning, led by inspiring high school mentors. Our very first teacher is Ava , a passionate and thoughtful high school student who’s teaching the first Curiosity Lab unit on public speaking . Ava shares how she discovered her love for speech...

What if your child’s future success—especially with college admissions—hinges  on how curious they become before they even get there? In this episode, I break down the Curiosity Window , the critical developmental phase between ages 10 and 13, when your child’s brain is primed for identity formation, exploration, and deep learning. If curiosity is nurtured now, it becomes a foundation for confiden...

If you’ve ever felt helpless watching your teen struggle with stress, you’re not alone. Many parents want to help but don’t know how to do it in a way that actually works. In this episode, we dive into why today’s teens feel more overwhelmed than ever, the common mistakes even well-meaning parents make, and how to shift your parenting approach to truly support your child. Learn how to move from &q...

If I could sit down with my teenage self, I’d have a lot to say about college admissions—especially in today’s high-pressure environment. In this episode, I share the advice I wish someone had given me at 16, including the biggest misconceptions I had about the admissions process and what actually mattered in the long run. If you're feeling overwhelmed by grades, extracurriculars, and the con...

What if you could see yourself, right now, as a student at your dream college? What if you could feel what it’s like to walk across campus, sit in a classroom, and engage with world-class professors and peers? In this special guided visualization, I’ll take you through an immersive experience where you’ll: ✅ Step into the shoes of your future self at your dream university ✅ Feel the excitement a...

Most students believe that getting into a top college means checking all the right boxes —perfect grades, leadership roles, and a long list of impressive achievements. But what if that’s actually the wrong approach? In this episode, I’ll reveal: ✅ The Gold Rush Mistake that keeps students stuck in the "Impressiveness Trap" ✅ The three levels of preparation —good, better, and best—and w...

Most families assume that strong grades, leadership roles, and packed extracurriculars will guarantee college admissions success. But I explain why top schools aren’t just looking for impressive students—they’re looking for memorable students. In this episode, I’ll break down: ✅ The #1 mistake high-achieving students make in their applications ✅ What admissions officers actually look for (and wh...

We just completed our Holistic College Application Roadmap workshop. Enjoy our final day (day 2) here. To register for the Ivy League Challenge, go to TILC.to/register ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here

We just completed our Holistic College Application Roadmap workshop. Enjoy day 1 here.  To register for the Ivy League Challenge, go to TILC.to/register ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here

Announcing our upcoming workshop: the Holistic College Application Roadmap January 16-17th, 8:00 pm eastern time To register, go to TILC.to/CommonApp ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here

Complete College Application Audit Limited Spots for this personal guidance Sign up at TILC.to/audit Expert Guidance: With years of experience helping students gain admission to selective universities, I know what works—and what doesn’t—in a competitive application. Personalized Support: Unlike generic programs, this service is tailored specifically to your story and your strengths. Proven Results...

When you decide to grow, you set yourself up for challenging periods of awkwardness. You might feel like you are 'faking it' or that you don't belong, when really this is just the natural transition period when you grow. Listen to learn how to reframe your mindset when you face these challenging periods of growth.  ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To...

In times of deep conflict and polarization, we can easily become triggered. But when an event occurs, we all respond based on our assumptions coming into the event. What if we chose to become more charitable in our assumptions? I believe this approach helps us become more effective and influential change-makers. Not only is it a healthier, happier approach to life, but also a great way to cultivat...

Your alumni interview may be the first interview you've ever been a part of that felt like a high-stakes interview. I hope you realize after listening to this podcast episode that this interview should not be stressful either. But listen in to learn how to make sure that you will be completely prepared for your interview. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To fo...