Get into the school of your dreams

The complete package: 10 video calls ($1290 worth), plus free access to our video course "How to get into Harvard" ($199 worth).

This mentorship program consists of ten 60-minute video calls, on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, depending on how close to the application deadline you are. Our cofounder, Maarten, will guide you through the admissions process and discuss your personal needs with you. He'll also answer any questions you might have. The mentorship program is divided into the following categories:

1. Introduction. What are your dreams for the future? What colleges do you plan to apply to? Or don't you know yet what's realistic? I'll help you think through how to best achieve your goals in high school in order to get accepted into your dream college.

2. Grades. What grades are necessary to get accepted at your school? How do you find the right balance between doing homework and doing extracurricular activities. How should you study for exams? International systems often don't work the same as the U.S. high school system, so how is the admissions office going to understand my transcript? Maarten faced all these challenges two years ago, and he'll explain exactly how he overcame them.

3. Extracurriculars. What are you passionate about doing outside of the classroom? Are you a soccer player? Are you a talented pianist? Do you love theatre and the performing arts? Do you run your own business? Colleges value extracurricular activities even more than high grades, in my opinion, and it is important you think about which activities you love to do and can be good at. Whether you are already sure of your passions, or you still have no idea, Maarten can walk you through the process of standing out by doing what you love.

4. Standardized Tests. Should you take the SAT or the ACT? How important is the TOEFL? What are the best study habits for these exams? How many practice tests should you take? What books do you recommend? Maarten aced the SAT and ACT test himself, and he will answer all of these questions and more.

5. Essays. What subject should you choose to write your admissions essay about? How do you make sure your capabilities as a student shine through in your writing? Should you hire an external essay service? (hint: No.) How do you even start writing? Let Maarten help you choose the topic for your essay, and learn valuable tips for the writing process.

6. How should you stand out? Sometimes we hope there's a simple formula to getting accepted. Unfortunately, a successful college application is often not just a checklist. "Good grades and test scores? Check. Cool activities? Check. Well-written essay? Check. Admitted!" That is not how it works. You need to stand out as an individual in ways that other students don't. How exactly you can do this is something Maarten will explain in this session. 

7. Extracurriculars 2. What extracurriculars should you mention in your application, and in what order? Is 10 activities too much? How important is community service or volunteering? Does babysitting your little brother or sister count, if you needed to spend a lot of time doing that? This is the time to reflect on how your extracurriculars are going, and which ones are most important to you.

8. Standardized Tests 2. Perhaps you've taken the SAT, and you don't know if you're score is high enough. Should you retake it? How should you approach the SAT Subject Tests? Which ones should you choose to take? Maarten will make sure your tests are up to par with what's expected by the best schools, so that you won't fall short.  

9. Essays 2. Now that you've made a start writing your essay drafts, it is time for some review. Is the essay's tone appropriate? Should you switch topics, upon further reflection? What about the optional supplemental essay some schools ask for? Maarten will give you valuable feedback on your essay, but it's ultimately you who completely writes it!

10. Interview. You've submitted your application, and hopefully you're invited for an interview! What should you wear? What should you talk about? How formal is the interview, and how important is it to the admissions committee? Get one-on-one guidance from Maarten about everything interview-related, so you feel confident to express yourself openly and freely, and impress your interviewer. It may be the deciding factor!