Holistic College App Roadmap Workshop

Ivy League Prep Academy Podcast

#Self-Improvement #Steve #Ivy League #Admissions #College Admissions #High School #Middle School #College #Harvard #College Planning #Project #Wow Factor #Podcasting Education #Students #Universe #Succession

33:58

In this episode, we delve into the concept of being "qualified" in the workplace, examining who gets labeled as such, who doesn't, and the underlying reasons. We explore "competency checking"—the practice of scrutinizing individuals' abilities—and how it disproportionately affects underrepresented groups, often going unnoticed or unchallenged. Our discussion aims to redefine qualifications in a fair, equitable, and actionable manner. Our guest, Shari Dunn , is an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news anchor, CEO, university professor, and sought-after speaker. She has been recognized as Executive of the Year and a Woman of Influence, with her work appearing in Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age, and more. Her new book, Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work , unpacks what it truly means to be deserving and capable—and why systemic barriers, not personal deficits, are often the real problem. Her insights challenge the narratives that hold so many of us back and offer practical solutions for building a more equitable future. Together, we can build workplaces and communities that don’t just reflect the world we live in, but the one we want to create. A world where being qualified is about recognizing the talent and potential that’s been overlooked for far too long. It’s not just about getting a seat at the table—it’s about building an entirely new table, one designed with space for all of us. Connect with Our Guest Shari Dunn Website& Book - Qualified: https://thesharidunn.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/sharidunn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesharidunn Related Podcast Episodes: How To Build Emotionally Mature Leaders with Dr. Christie Smith | 272 Holding It Together: Women As America's Safety Net with Jessica Calarco | 215 How To Defy Expectations with Dr. Sunita Sah | 271 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music…

hace un año 6:51

MP3•Episodio en casa

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

266 episodios

Holistic College App Roadmap Workshop

Ivy League Prep Academy Podcast

published hace un año

MP3•Episodio en casa

266 episodios

Todos los episodios

1
Visualize Yourself in Your Dream College Today 14:51

hace 6 hours14:51

14:51

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 and confidence of belonging in that environment ✅ Discover what kind of student you want to be —not just where you want to go ✅ Leave with a clear sense of purpose and steps you can take right now to become that person This isn’t just about college admissions—it’s about becoming the kind of student who thrives, no matter where you go. 🎯 Want a step-by-step roadmap tailored to your teen’s strengths? Get the Admissions Advantage Roadmap ➡️ www.theivyleaguechallenge.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…

1
Don't Chase Gold- Stand Out in College Admissions 15:40

hace 7 días15:40

15:40

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 which one actually works ✅ Why top colleges don’t want “perfect applicants” —they want future change-makers ✅ A simple mindset shift that makes both admissions and long-term success easier If you’ve been stressed about standing out, this episode will change how you think about college admissions forever. 🎯 Want a step-by-step roadmap tailored to your teen’s strengths? Get the Admissions Advantage Roadmap ➡️ www.theivyleaguechallenge.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…

1
Build a Standout Application in 3 Steps 19:05

hace 10 días19:05

19:05

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 what they ignore) ✅ The simple 3-step strategy to make your teen’s application stand out ✅ How to stop guessing and get a clear, customized plan in just one week Every year, I see students realize too late that their application is missing key pieces. Don’t let that be your teen. 🎯 Want a step-by-step roadmap tailored to your teen’s strengths? Get the Admissions Advantage Roadmap ➡️ www.theivyleaguechallenge.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…

1
College App Roadmap Workshop day 2 (of 2) 1:23:56

hace 6 weeks1:23:56

1:23:56

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…

1
College App Roadmap Workshop day 1 56:44

hace 6 weeks56:44

56:44

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…

1
Holistic College App Roadmap Workshop 6:51

hace 7 weeks6:51

6:51

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…

1
Complete College Application Audit 9:52

hace 14 weeks9:52

9:52

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: Students who work with me have gained admission to top colleges, creating applications that truly reflect their potential. Confidence & Clarity: Walk away knowing your application is the strongest it can be, with every element working together to tell a cohesive story. ----- 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…

1
Imposter Syndrome, or Just Growth? 16:32

hace 16 weeks16:32

16:32

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 follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here…

1
Charitable Assumptions 14:50

hace 17 weeks14:50

14:50

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 cultivate the curiosity and empathy that are so important in life and in college prep. ----- 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…

1
Ace Your Alumni Interview 18:39

hace 21 weeks18:39

18:39

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 follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here…

1
How to Demonstrate Leadership (training from the Global Impact Council) 46:45

hace 22 weeks46:45

46:45

If your high school is ultra competitive, and you don't want to step on the backs of your peers in order to land a leadership title, then this training is for you. There are many different ways to demonstrate leadership, and we discuss WHY colleges are very interested in non-traditional leaders-- not just the titles. ----- 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…

1
Maximize your SAT/ACT Score 16:53

hace 23 weeks16:53

16:53

Learn how the top test takers prepare to get such outstanding scores. If you genuinely follow this approach, you can raise your test score by a significant margin within only 3 months. ----- 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…

1
Saisha Pal-- Pivot your Impact Project 29:03

hace 24 weeks29:03

29:03

Saisha walks us through her journey to an impact project that she is excited about. It took time, probing, and effort for her to land where she is today, and we get to listen in to discover how she has transformed a very frustrating, stressful high school experience into a thriving high school experience. Listen in to learn from Saisha! ----- 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…

1
Leading a Cause with Ava DiNapoli 35:57

hace 25 weeks35:57

35:57

Ava has founded Junior Speakers and Voices Unmuted; two organizations designed to help others to find their voices and speak up. You can find her websites here: www.juniorspeakers.com www.voicesunmuted.org Listen in to learn how she progressed through multiple ideas to finally land on something she is very passionate about. ----- 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…

1
How to Complete the Common App Workshop pt 2 1:49:10

hace 26 weeks1:49:10

1:49:10

Day 2 of our workshop helping teens understand what colleges are looking for and how to complete the five different sections of the Common App so you stand out to the admissions officers who read your applications.

1
How to Complete your Common App Workshop 59:17

hace 27 weeks59:17

59:17

This is day 1 of our workshop helping teens understand what colleges are looking for and how to complete the five different sections of the Common App so that admissions officers will be excited to admit you. Part two will follow next!

1
Common App Workshop & a New Cohort Opening 11:23

hace 28 weeks11:23

11:23

If you are stressed about how to best fill out the Common App, I have good news for you. I'll be hosting a free workshop to help you understand how to fit all five pieces of the Common App together. You might recognize this from a few months ago-- we are repeating this training due to the high number of requests we received. Also, we will be adding case studies to make the information even more clear and useful. To register, go to TILC.to/commonapp and give us your name and email address, so we can send you the worksheet, the zoom links, and then the recording when we finish. See you August 23 & 24th at 8pm eastern time.…

1
Essay Workshop Day 1 recording 1:14:33

hace 33 weeks1:14:33

1:14:33

For seniors-- it is time to get those essays done. Listen in to understand what role these essays play in your application, and how to avoid the most common mistakes. Also, stay tuned next week for part 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 Steve here…

1
Sathvic Interview-- Research with Harvard & MIT Professors 30:38

hace 34 weeks30:38

30:38

Sathvic has advice that is wise beyond his years. He has landed multiple research opportunities and internships, including with professors from Harvard Medical School and MIT. He discusses exactly how he began the outreach, as well as details about the work that he is doing. Sathvic also shares how younger teens can get started if they want to land amazing opportunities like his. ----- 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…

1
Holistic Common App Overview Pt. 2 17:20

hace 37 weeks17:20

17:20

How do each of the five sections of the Common App come together tell your story to the admissions officers? What are the most common mistakes people make as they prepare for college? We address these issues in a two-part podcast. This is a recording from the masterclass I did in early May, 2024. Be sure to catch both parts of the masterclass ----- 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…

1
Holistic Common App Overview 43:04

hace 38 weeks43:04

43:04

1
Restricting or Driving Change? 17:15

hace 39 weeks17:15

17:15

How can we use business principles I learned at Harvard to improve our mentoring and increase our impact? I go over how to use Lewin's Force-field Analysis as mentors in the Global Impact Council. Mentors can use this to encourage mentees to take action that will create change, and might help everyone to clarify first steps. ----- 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…

1
Essay Workshop-- Get it Written! 12:12

hace 40 weeks12:12

12:12

Now that exams have finished up, it is time to shift your focus to your college application essays. I will be hosting a workshop to help you get started, and to make sure that you avoid the biggest mistakes most people make in these essays. Participation in the workshop is free, but you need to register. you can register at TILC.to/BestEssay ----- 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…

1
Dealing with Disappointment 17:23

hace 41 weeks17:23

17:23

What do you do when both of your children work hard for an audition, and then one is chosen to perform, but the other is not selected? How should they each deal with the news? I find that musicians develop a unique ability to handle criticism, and also to handle rejection. I hope this episode helps teens everywhere (musicians and non-musicians alike) to take a healthy approach to the realities of daring to pursue big goals. ----- 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…

1
Academic Considerations in the College Application 24:58

hace 42 weeks24:58

24:58

Is an A in a regular class, or a B in an honors/AP class more valuable for me? How do I decide how many APs to take? How do I schedule my classes in order to be as competitive as possible for college? Which high school should I attend? These are a few of the questions that should be straightforward, but end up being quick difficult to decide, because there are different colleges, and what is a good strategy at one college would be a bad strategy at another college. Also, teens are different, and what would be a great strategy for one, would be a bad strategy for another. So how do we know what to do? I go over the context and background information you need in order to make the right choice for you. ----- 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…

1
Your Common App Audit-- urgent! 9:00

hace 43 weeks9:00

9:00

Are you stressed about what is coming when you fill out the Common Application? Do you worry that you might have gaps in your story that need to be filled, but don't know how to find them ahead of time? I will be hosting a masterclass on May 8th in order to help you answer these questions, and give you clarity about what is important vs activities that are not important. At the end of the masterclass, you'll have a good idea of how your application will be read, and which area of your application you will need to supplement in order to have the strongest application possible. To register (for free), go to TILC.to/college-app 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…

1
Your Holistic College Application Audit 17:20

hace 44 weeks17:20

17:20

What gaps might exist in your future application? How can you find those gaps so you can fill them before it is too late? We go through each element of the Common Application to identify how to prepare for every section. ----- 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…

1
NHS & Volunteering 17:24

hace 45 weeks17:24

17:24

Should you sign up for NHS? Is it worth the effort? What about volunteering in general? How much should I volunteer? How many hours is enough? Which type of volunteering is best for my application? Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and 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 Steve here…

1
So, Which College Should You Choose? 11:38

hace 46 weeks11:38

11:38

April 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 Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here…

1
Begin Essay Prep Now (You'll Be Glad You Did) 19:47

hace 47 weeks19:47