🚨Registration is now FULL and the next option with openings is in August. Join the waitlist →

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Gain an advantage in college admissions

using Core Values & Community Impact.

 

GET STARTED NOW

Gain an advantage in college admissions

using Core Values & Community Impact.

 

GET STARTED NOW

Amazing program, amazing mentor!

 

After attending 4 weeks, I would say my teen daughter has a plan for not only the next 4 or 5 years in public school, but she also knows what she wants to do in her life.

 

- Gülnar Oguz Albusova (Mother of 9th grader)

I got into both Harvard and Princeton!

 

You will NOT believe what I’m about to tell you! I got into both Harvard and Princeton! I’ve been feeling so dizzy the past two days...

 

- Xiao Yu (Attended Harvard)

"Mom, this changed my life."

 

"[My son] walked away with such a clear idea of how to figure out his core values...honestly, every session was fantastic. He really and truly loved it, and it changed him. It was phenomenal! Honestly, he always says to me, "Mom, this changed my life."

 

- Dr. Robyn Blair (Mother of 8th grader)

How to Register:


1. Choose your plan

You can take the challenge in the Live Cohort, or add additional 1:1 support from Steve in the Accelerated or VIP options.


2. Participate in the Challenge


No matter the format, we’ll discover your strengths, develop your theme, and help you create an impact project that will be beneficial for you and your community. 


3. Confidently Gain Admittance to Your Dream College


It’s not a mystery what competitive schools are looking for when screening applicants. You will have a clear plan to excel in high school and get accepted to a great college.

Course Outline

 

PHASE ONE

CORE VALUES
  • Find core values
  • Clarify interests/strengths
  • Define yourself
  • Learn activities that stand out instead of wasting your time
  • Craft winning essays

PHASE TWO

COMMUNITY IMPACT
  • Learn the 9 types of projects that stand out
  • Help your community
  • Develop true leadership
  • Learn to be an investigative journalist
  • Live your core values authentically

PHASE THREE

STRATEGIC ADMISSIONS 
  • Leverage Phases 1 & 2 to stand out in your college application
  • Scale your impact
  • Network with Admission Officers
  • Effective Professor Outreach
  • Confidently get into a good college

What you'll GET:

  • 12 weeks of LIVE classes with motivated peers

  • 1-on-1 coaching sessions with Steve (in select plans)

  • Full access to our training library of tools & templates

  • Membership in the Teen-Led Global Impact Council — collaborate with peers worldwide

What you'll ACHIEVE:

  • Discover your core values and use them to guide decisions

  • Create your own Impact Project that makes a real difference (see past examples)

  • Stand out in college admissions with a unique, memorable profile

  • Collaborate with experts & professors to research or scale your project

  • Craft your admissions story so it resonates with admissions officers


                                           

Choose your plan

Choose your plan

Choose the path that fits your family best.

The Ivy League Challenge provides families with the clarity, strategy, and expert guidance they need to take the stress, confusion, and guesswork out of the college admissions process. By addressing the overwhelm of conflicting advice and uncertainty about what truly matters, these programs help teens build a standout application with confidence and ensure every decision they make supports their future success.

Basic

Live Cohort

$3,497
  • Everything described in the course outline
  • Learn in a live cohort
  • Join like-minded, ambitious teens
  • Structured admissions guidance
  • Clear next steps each week
Join the Cohort
Most Popular

Advanced

Accelerated Course

$4,997
  • Everything in the Live Cohort
  • Six 1-on-1 strategy sessions with Steve
  • Personalized admissions strategy
  • Accelerated guidance and support
  • Clear next steps for your goals
Join Accelerated

Elite

VIP Program

$25,000
  • Private admissions partnership
  • Personalized roadmap walkthrough
  • Highest level of strategy and support
  • Available by application only
  • Limited partnerships accepted
Learn More

📅 Next cohort starts in August.

Need more assistance?

Book a Call

Meet your Teacher

I’m Steve Gardner — Instructor at Harvard Summer School, high performance and selective college admissions expert, and founder of The Ivy League Challenge.

A Harvard alumnus myself, I draw on over 15 years of experience in education, business, communication, and personal development to help teens develop the skills they need to thrive through college and create meaningful impact in their communities.

Got questions? Book a call

Register Now

Don’t let the daunting college admissions process stop you from
getting accepted to your dream college. Join the Ivy League Challenge today!

Register now →