Ivy League Prep Academy Podcast
250 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago -Equipping you to successfully pursue the college of your dreams. I believe that the world needs every student to reach their full potential. College admittance shouldn't hold you back. I'm an educator and Harvard grad who has been in your shoes. I designed this podcast to accompany the Ivy League Challenge (my online course) to support my listeners. I've met with graduates, admissions officers, and professors to identify the criteria used to select candidates. I've crafted a road map for success and can share it with you.
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Episodes
So, Which College Should You Choose?
April 15, 2024 04:00 - 11 minutes - 8.03 MBApril for high school seniors can be a stressful time-- instead of worrying about which schools might admit their application, many seniors now have multiple acceptances, and are anxious to make sure that they make the right decision. Listen in to learn my advice about how to best make that decision, and to make sure that you end up loving your choice. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Face...
Begin Essay Prep Now (You'll Be Glad You Did)
April 08, 2024 09:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBIf you are willing to spend a few minutes listening to this podcast now, you'll be equipped to save most of the stress coming your way when it comes time to write your essays. You'll need a notebook and a few minutes of time. Watch for these meaningful moments as they occur, and just keep track of them. By the time you need to write your essays, instead of stressing over what to write and how to write it-- and struggling to think of examples from your life that represent your values-- yo...
Info Session Ahead of March 2024 Ivy League Challenge Cohort
March 28, 2024 04:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBJoin us to hear how to avoid the major mistakes most teens make in their college prep so you can gain an advantage in future college admissions. Registration is now open and will close before class begins on Saturday night. Register at 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
From Dysfunction to Impact; Productivity for Teens
March 25, 2024 06:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBDo you ever feel like you don't have enough time? It is common for stressed teens and adults to say "I wish I had more time!" But actually, you don't need more time. You actually need more energy and better clarity. Listen in to discover why clarity and energy are more important that time. ----- 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
Middle School & Before; How to Prepare for College?
March 18, 2024 04:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBBecause college is difficult to prepare for, many families want to begin early. But when they ask how to prepare, too often they are told that there is no reason to start so soon. Many people believe that college prep shouldn't begin until high school. But as long as we don't get stuck in the impressiveness trap, college prep can be healthy and wonderful. Listen in to hear about the four things to be sure to do in middle school in order to begin preparing well for college. ----- To r...
(How to) Make Learning Fun
March 04, 2024 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBWant to increase your chances of getting into Harvard? My suggestion for you is to cultivate a sincere love of learning. Figure out a way to inject genuine curiosity and excitement into your learning. But how? I've recently read Adam Grant's book Hidden Potential, and I love how a couple of his stories help explain how and why this is such a powerful solution. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join u...
Community, Coaching, & the Ivy League Challenge
February 26, 2024 05:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MBParents are so important to teens' success. Even if you feel like your teens are annoyed by you, your efforts are very important. For many reasons, however, parents often have a hard time motivating or inspiring teens. Sometimes the teens assume that the parents are biased and can't see the teens objectively. Other times teens don't want to be controlled, and so they will resist the advice that comes from parents. However, teens are much more inclined to listen to mentors or coaches. T...
When Should I Join the Ivy League Challenge?
February 19, 2024 07:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBFor those who enjoy this podcast, one question remains very important-- when is the best time to join the Ivy League Challenge? Is grade 8, or 9, or 10, or some other grade the best time? What if my teen is too busy to add this class to his or her schedule? Or the opposite issue-- when is my teen old enough to join? I hope this episode will help answer those questions. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge T...
What is it like in the Ivy League Challenge? From the student's perspective
February 12, 2024 14:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBErica, Claire, and Molly join us to answer questions about what it is like to be in the Ivy League Challenge. Listen in to learn more about what you can expect in the program. ----- 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
Juniors, This Begins This Week!
February 05, 2024 07:00 - 14 minutes - 9.94 MBAttention Juniors! This is the week that you should be sending out your emails to future recommendation letter writers. You've worked hard to be a great student. Your teachers love you. You might think that is enough to ensure you will get a great letter of recommendation. But the reality is that very few teachers ever receive any kind of training on how to write an outstanding letter of recommendation. So those letters often end up sounding the same... ("I love having [name] in my cl...
Getting Your Impact Project Back on Track with Twisha Sharma
January 29, 2024 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBMany students join the Ivy League Challenge when they are young. At that stage in your life, it is normal to become excited about executing an impact project, but then to get off track. Twisha joined the Ivy League Challenge as an 8th grader. She loved it, and was excited to start an impact project, but it never quite got off the ground. Because she was also busy with schoolwork, she just let her project slip. Today, we discuss her story, how she got back on track, and some great ideas ...
Rachel & Eliza on Perfectionism and Music
January 22, 2024 05:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBEliza and Rachel are first cousins and are both elite violin performers. When they toured Southeast Asia, I was able to attend their concert in Singapore and even attend a practice session with them. That practice session inspired this discussion on perfectionism in music and in life. One of my favorite interviews of all time. Enjoy! ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for pa...
Cornell Admit Shares Value of the Ivy League Challenge
January 15, 2024 05:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBOur Hacking College Admissions workshop begins just a few hours after this podcast goes live. The workshop is free but you must register to attend. To register, go to TILC.to/hack In this interview, Asfi shares her interview about how the Ivy League Challenge helped her in her life and her college prep. She also talks through how she decided on Cornell instead of the many other great college options she had. enjoy! ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. T...
The Rules of the Infinite Game in College Prep
January 08, 2024 05:00 - 14 minutes - 9.68 MBMost ambitious teens spend their high school years pursuing the activities that they believe will make them most impressive to an admissions officer. This takes tremendous effort and sacrifice. But ironically, even if you are successful-- you become the most impressive person in your entire school-- you will eventually discover that there are 30,000 high schools in North America. And the "most impressive" students almost all did exactly the same things. So you end up with a boring appl...
How to Succeed in the IB Diploma Program with Nandita Nair
January 01, 2024 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBIs the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program right for you? Once you are committed to the diploma program, how can you ensure your success? Nandita Nair is a senior now whose predicted score is well above 40 (she requested I not share the exact predicted score). In this episode, she discusses the challenges with the IB-- how you should decide if the IB is right for you, and how to succeed once you are in. This is a tremendously valuable interview. ----- To register for t...
My Presentation at GradAchiever
December 25, 2023 05:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBI recently spoke at a GradAchiever event online. The message aligns closely with what I discuss in my own podcast, and because I am so happy with the free platform that is available, I wanted to share my presentation with my own audience, and encourage you to check them out at www.GradAchiever.com ----- 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 ...
Senior Katie Silverman is Thriving
December 18, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBKatie Silverman joined the Ivy League Challenge as a junior, and did an incredible job with her own impact project and supporting others with their projects. I didn't learn until preparing for this interview, however, just how much she grew as a person through the course. In our interview, she discusses how clarifying her core values built her confidence and changed her life for the better. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. To follow on Instagram: @TheIv...
Tips for an Awesome Alumni Interview
December 11, 2023 05:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBFor many teens, adding a high-stakes interview to an already stressful application process feels stressful. But the interview should be a highly enjoyable experience. To make sure you are prepared, take 15 minutes to listen to this podcast. ----- 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
Ava DiNapoli Begins her Impact Project
December 04, 2023 05:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBAva DiNapoli recently completed the Ivy League Challenge, and is already making incredible progress in a very important impact project about providing tools for teachers to teach mental health to very young kids. Hear how her ideas have evolved over time, and about all of the powerful steps she is taking to move her project forward in very effective ways. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our F...
Leadership & Superchickens pt. 3 of 3: How to demonstrate leadership in high school
November 27, 2023 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBPart 2 of 3: What is leadership? In the context of teens in high school, applying to college... What does it mean to "demonstrate leadership"? And what if your teen is quiet or shy or introverted? Is there any hope for them? Too many people believe that admissions officers are looking to fill their campuses with only superchickens - the smartest, hardest-working, and most qualified of the flock... Don't abandon hope because your teen doesn't fit the mold of what a leader should look ...
Leadership & Superchickens pt. 2 of 3: How to demonstrate leadership in high school
November 23, 2023 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBPart 2 of 3: What is leadership? In the context of teens in high school, applying to college... What does it mean to "demonstrate leadership"? And what if your teen is quiet or shy or introverted? Is there any hope for them? Too many people believe that admissions officers are looking to fill their campuses with only superchickens - the smartest, hardest-working, and most qualified of the flock... Don't abandon hope because your teen doesn't fit the mold of what a leader should look ...
Leadership & Superchickens pt. 1 How to demonstrate leadership in high school
November 20, 2023 05:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBWhat is leadership? In the context of teens in high school, applying to college... What does it mean to "demonstrate leadership"? And what if your teen is quiet or shy or introverted? Is there any hope for them? Too many people believe that admissions officers are looking to fill their campuses with only superchickens - the smartest, hardest-working, and most qualified of the flock... Don't abandon hope because your teen doesn't fit the mold of what a leader should look like. Help yo...
Why Core Values Beats Impressiveness in College Admissions
November 13, 2023 05:00 - 13 minutes - 9.09 MBWhen most people begin to prepare for college, they ask the same question as everyone else; "what is more/most impressive to the admissions officers?" And that seems to make sense, until senior year comes along, they submit their applications, and they finally realize that 30,000+ high schools all had ambitious students trying to do the most impressive things, and that means that tens of thousands of applications will all look very similar. So paradoxically, you work harder than everyon...
Erica Chemmanoor's CS impact project
November 06, 2023 05:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBErica shares her experience in the Ivy League Challenge, and how she is making an impact in her community by creating an app to teach the fundamentals of programming to younger people. We discuss how her priorities have changed as a student, how her choices have given her greater purpose in her life, and how she is taking care of herself in a way that makes life more fun while becoming even more competitive for selective college admissions. Listen in to learn more about Erica's experience. ...
GenAI & Education Masterclass pt. 3
October 30, 2023 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBPart 3 of 3 for our masterclass about GenAI and education. I share my advice and answer questions about how education will evolve, as well as what steps we can take today to make the most of the opportunities AI presents for us. Be sure to catch parts 1 and 2 as well. ----- 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
GenAI & Education Masterclass pt. 2
October 27, 2023 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBContinuing our masterclass recording, we discuss the difference between kind and wicked learning environments, and how that distinction helps us understand how we can prepare to make the most of GenAI. I also interview an expert in the field, Pavlo Denisov, who wrote a book about how students can use AI to learn and to make themselves more valuable in the open market. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join...
GenAI & Education Masterclass pt. 1
October 23, 2023 04:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBThe fears we have today about Gen AI are not new-- society had the same concerns 30 years ago when the internet was new, and 40 years before that when the first calculators became available to the world. But just as the internet lowered the barriers to entry into the business world and created countless millionaires, the opportunities coming from GenAI mastery will dwarf the wealth created by the internet decades ago. Listen in to learn about these ideas and the beginning of my conversat...
Sophomore Aki Velemati Learns How to Stand Out
October 16, 2023 04:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBAki was stressed throughout his freshman year, because although he was at a very good high school, he just felt like he didn't know how to stand out. He joined the Ivy League Challenge in order to figure out what to do. Listen to learn about how he let go of that stress and replaced it with confidence that his time and efforts could be spent focusing on things that aligned with his core values. He also shares his progress on his impact project, which aligns completely with his values. He...
Play to Win
October 09, 2023 04:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBToo many of us approach life with the philosophy of "play not to lose". Once, when I was in college, I was able to play on a intramural basketball team. Our team made it all the way to championship game. At half time, we were losing that game so badly that we decided to change our approach. Instead of playing safe, we were going to play without any fear. Amazingly, we came all the way back and even won the game at the buzzer. But playing not-to-lose takes away your power. Playing not-t...
GenAI & Education-- Opportunities & Pitfalls
October 07, 2023 14:00 - 9 minutes - 6.52 MBThis Wednesday, October 11th, at 8pm eastern time, I will be hosting a masterclass to discuss how we can help our teens take advantage of the many opportunities of GenAI, and also avoid the pitfalls. I'm excited to go into detail about how humans and computers will be working together in the future to solve the great problems of the world, and how focusing on the wrong things can become a major tax on even the most ambitious students. The masterclass free but requires registration. Reg...
The Student's Perspective: Krisha Pillai-- Make the Most of Your Time
October 02, 2023 04:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBKrisha is a sophomore. She loves debate and has ambitions in the medical field. She joined the Ivy League Challenge last year, and at the time of this interview, was half way through her second time through the course. She shares about how important and valuable it is to figure out your core values, so you can make the most of the valuable time you have in high school. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To ...
Activities Section Checklist for the Common App
September 25, 2023 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBAside from the essays, the activities section of the Common Application is the trickiest section for many teens. But it doesn't have to be. Listen to learn how to structure your activities section in a way that will make you memorable and competitive for college. ----- 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
How to Be Ambitious & Realistic at the Same Time
September 18, 2023 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBDo you wonder sometimes if it is realistic to be ambitious? Have you ever been frustrated because it seems like setting ambitious goals is just setting yourself up for failure? Listen in to learn about three keys being both ambitious AND realistic. ----- 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
Last Chance to Register This Year
September 15, 2023 15:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MBIf you've been thinking about the Ivy League Challenge, but have been looking for the right time-- let's get started. Saturday, September 16, 2023 will be the first class of the last cohort this year. You don't want to miss this. To register, go to: https://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/TILC-registration-page#registration ----- 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 ...
Bryana Quintero's Impact Project: Sharing Immigrant Stories
September 11, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBBryana Quintero is working with an NYU professor to college and catalogue immigrant stories. We get to hear all about how she decided on this project, and how she overcame some of the obstacles she has faced along the way. ----- 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
Back-to-school Masterclass Part 3
September 07, 2023 04:00 - 14 minutes - 9.7 MBIn part 3 (of 3), we discuss HOW to be more productive. The neuroscience says most of us are 'focusing' the wrong way. Learn all about it here. ----- 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
Back-to-school Masterclass Part 2
September 04, 2023 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MBPart 2 of 3 in our back-to-school success masterclass recording. Learn about how to set up the right study environment and why you shouldn't feel like you don't have enough will power to get your studies done. The difference between great students and weak students is not will power or self-discipline... it is the habits built around staying focused for your study sessions. Listen in to learn all about it ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. To follow on In...
Back-to-school Masterclass Part 1
August 28, 2023 05:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBHow can you make sure that this school year is your best year yet? Start off strong and use the energy from the beginning of the school year to ensure you create the habits that will create your success. The first key to your success is discussed in part 1 of the masterclass recording. Be sure to come back for the rest of the masterclass, coming soon! ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our F...
Google Head of AI for Asia Renee Lo on GenAI for Students
August 28, 2023 04:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBRenee is the head of AI at Google for Asia, and previously was the head of AI development at Amazon and Microsoft as well. She discusses how AI will influence everything from learning to business success in this far-reaching interview. Renee shares how her parenting has changed as a result of the work she is doing in AI, and her ideas for how students, parents, and professionals can use this powerful tool. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. To follow on ...
Back to School Success
August 21, 2023 04:00 - 7 minutes - 5.42 MBIt is back-to-school time! You are probably feeling a mixture of excitement, stress, anxiety and anticipation. Join us on August 30th for a free masterclass about how to make sure you transition well into the new school year. To register for the masterclass, go to: tilc.to/backtoschool or join us in the facebook group: tilc.to/fb ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website. To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents...
How 'Normal' Teens Create Impressive Impact Projects
August 14, 2023 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.77 MBAs you've listened to interviews with impressive teens on this podcast, you may have felt like some other parents, who have reached out to me recently to say that they can't relate. They feel like their teen couldn't possibly produce the kind of work that the teens on my interviews have done. While I understand the frustration, I also think it is important to clarify that these other teens didn't accomplish their incredible results in one go. They had to take one step at a time. The importa...
Music, Science, & Service- Justin's Impact Project
August 07, 2023 04:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBJustin is a rising junior who loves music and science, and wanted to find a way to positively impact his community. Listen in to learn how he combined these interests in a very unique way by teaching art and music to children with Autism. Along the way, he gained over $5,000 in funding, and hired professional teachers to help deliver the content. He has advice for younger scientists, and shares his thoughts about what is next for him and the growth of his project. To contact Justin, go ...
Flash Announcement: Friday Night Cohort Begins Aug 4
August 04, 2023 06:00 - 3 minutes - 2.75 MBI'm excited to work with your teen. There are a few spots available in this Friday night cohort. Reach out to me right away if you'd like to join: my calendar: tilc.to/meet register at: tilc.to/register email me: theivyleaguechallenge.com See you there! ----- 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
Rising Senior Dimitri on his Astrophysics Impact Project Ideas
July 31, 2023 04:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBDimitri joined his cohort of the Ivy League Challenge when it was already half-way completed. Soon after it finished, he joined the Bootcamp (for rising seniors only) and completed the first half of the bootcamp just before joining me for this interview. He shares his experience in the Ivy League Challenge, as well as his ideas about his ambitions to spread curiosity and excitement about the solar system beyond Earth. He gives advice for others who also want to create a similar impact pro...
Visualization for High School Students
July 27, 2023 04:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBDuring class we did a visualization about what kind of student you would be when you arrive at your dream college. Two of the students requested that I make the recording available for the public, and I agreed to do that. Please find a comfortable place where you can close your eyes as you go through this, and have a pen and paper available for when you finish the visualization so you can take some notes on your impressions. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our webs...
Time Management, Engagement Musings from Class
July 24, 2023 04:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBEach summer, we do an intensive bootcamp ONLY for rising seniors, where we go through the entire Ivy League Challenge course in just 2 weeks. During day 2, we discussed how precious each hour is for the next few months, and that managing our time and energy will be critical to a successful senior summer. The students committed to deleting social media apps from their phones until applications are turned in, and we discussed how to choose to engage in our studies and in life by increasing...
In Their Words: Student & Parent Describe the Ivy League Challenge
July 17, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBCorey Fischer and his mom, Robyn Blair, answered questions from my Facebook Group audience. Among the highlights-- Can teens really figure out their core values? How did you figure out your impact project? What was class like? Can a busy student really add this to their schedule? and so much more. ----- 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 Stev...
Back to Podcasting & FREE Workshop
July 12, 2023 04:00 - 7 minutes - 5.37 MBDon't miss the free workshop from July 12-15. register at https://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/workshop See you there!
The Difference a Year Can Make, Part 2 with Ishita Kopparapu
July 11, 2023 02:00 - 26 minutes - 18.4 MBOne year ago I met with Ishita and her parents. She was already a very hard worker, but needed some direction and clarity about what mattered most to her. She has grown so much over this past year, and in such a healthy, duplicatable way, that I want the world to hear her story. This is part 2 of 2. ----- 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 Stev...
The Difference a Year Can Make, Part 1 with Ishita Kopparapu
June 12, 2023 04:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBOne year ago I met with Ishita and her parents. She was already a very hard worker, but needed some direction and clarity about what mattered most to her. She has grown so much over this past year, and in such a healthy, duplicatable way, that I want the world to hear her story. This is part 1 of 2. ----- 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 Ste...