World-class college counseling & success coaching for all students.
The Acceptance Academy is a proven program that helps 9th-12th grade students discover and get accepted into great colleges!
Through live, online workshops and an application bootcamp, students learn how to succeed in high school, develop passions, and craft stand-out, authentic college applications.
In other words, the Acceptance Academy coaches students on how to become the best version of themselves.
Who's the Academy for?
Families of 9th-12th graders who want to realize the dream of going to a great college.
Earn better grades in less time by learning how to work with teachers & how to study.
Develop relationships with admissions counselors and go "beyond the application."
Discover authentic interests and develop unique activities.
Get walked through all the college applications step-by-step.
Learn how to get a job, start an organization, and develop creative summer projects.
Write standout college admissions essays that are required by almost all colleges.
And much, much more that will help students show colleges who they truly are as individuals.
”
The Acceptance Academy Program was amazing. I never knew about the opportunities I had, and the program really encouraged me to go for it. I am the first in my family to go to college, so no one thought I would ever get into Harvard!
“
—Nicholas Hutchison, Student at Harvard University
Master High School and the Admission Process
The Acceptance Academy consists of 3 parts:
Live monthly workshops for students, live monthly Q&A sessions for parents, and an application bootcamp.
1.
Every month, 9th-11th graders join live workshops where they are coached on topics specific to the time of year by America's Top College Counselor, Danny Ruderman.
2.
Every month, parents can join live Q&A sessions where they can ask Danny any and all questions they have and always know what is going on in the process.
3.
In Aug before 12th grade, students attend a 3-day live bootcamp with Danny where they actually create stand-out applications.
Here's How the Acceptance Academy Works
Acceptance Academy consists of three progressive and interconnected parts with one clear purpose: to help your child get accepted into the best college for them by removing the stress, panic, and uncertainty typically associated with the journey.
Part One: Live, Monthly Online Classes for Students
(Grades 9-11)
Every month, your student will join Danny for a LIVE online class covering one of the crucial steps in their quest to succeed in high school and get into their top college choices.
Each topic is timed to correspond to a specific period of the year.
And yes, we record all classes so your child (and you) can watch them any time and as many times as you’d like.
9th Graders
May
How to find summer opportunities / How to get a real job
June
How to start and run a business
July
How to pick the best class schedule for you
10th Graders
August
How to rock 10th grade + How to talk to and work with your teachers
September
How to get and stay organized
October
How to take notes in a whole new way
November
How to read textbooks quickly and best retain the information
December
How to study for tests
January
How to get a handle on anxiety + how to balance school life with extracurriculars
February
How to develop a Growth Mindset + how to purposely do what is hard and be held accountable + how to figure out future careers based on personal strengths
March
How to discover interests and figure out your big why
April
How to come up with opportunities and think BIG + how to visualize
May
How to find summer opportunities + how to get a real job
June
How to start and run a business
July
How to make an ACT/SAT study plan
11th Graders
August
How to rock 11th grade + How to talk to and work with your teachers & counselor
September
How to ensure great letters of rec.
October
How to start finding colleges
November
How to discover colleges that match
December
How to sign up for visits / How to reach out to professors and admissions officers/mailing lists
January
How to maximize college visits and what to do afterwards
February
How to get recruited in a college sport / How to create an art/drama/dance portfolio that stands out to admissions offices
March
How to create a nonprofit / How to conduct independent research
April
How to find and get productive internships / How to get a job
May
How to start and run a business
June
How to do "Why Do You Want to Attend Our College?" Research
July
How to make a standout activities list + prepare for August Bootcamp
Part Two: Live, Monthly Q&A Session for Parents
(Grades 9-12)
Once a month, Danny will host a live Zoom for all parents in the program.
He will share tips and strategies picked up from his years of seeing families successfully navigate the process. He will also take your questions, so he can get into specifics about different family situations and provide answers that can help other families in similar situations.
Each parent can also join Danny's exclusive Facebook group where they can get accurate information and share in a supportive community of those who are all trying to support their kids.
Part Three: Application Bootcamp
(August Before Grade 12)
How incredible is it going to feel to know your child’s applications and required essays will be complete BEFORE they start their senior year?
As a parent, you know how important it is to get an early start on any process as critical as this one.
That’s why Danny hosts a 3-day application “Bootcamp” for rising seniors within the Acceptance Academy.
During the week, he helps them create standout applications and write unique admissions essays.
Students get to walk into their senior year without the pressure of looming application deadlines.
Here’s an overview of the Bootcamp:
MONDAY
Module 1:
Introduction & Completing
The Common Application with Danny
+ 30-60 min to complete on own
Module 2:
Brainstorming the Personal Statement
with Danny
+ 30-60 min to complete on own
Module 3:
Writing the Personal Statement
with Danny
+ 1-2 hours to complete on own
WEDNESDAY
Module 4:
Finishing the Activities List
with Danny
+ 30-60 min to complete on own
Module 5:
Completing In-Depth Research
Into the Colleges with Danny
+ 1-2 hours to complete on own
Module 6:
Writing the "Why Do You Want to Go to Our College Essay?" with Danny
+ 1-2 hours to complete on own
FRIDAY
Module 7:
Writing the Other Common Supplemental Essays with Danny
*Varies based on a student's colleges
Module 8:
Creating Communications to Contact the Admissions Representatives with Danny
+ 30-60 min to complete on own
Module 9:
Editing and Putting It All Together
+ Steps to Submit with Danny
*Varies based on a student's colleges
Bonuses
Personal Texts and Reminders for Parents & Students
We will send out regular parent and student reminders and support via text and email throughout the year when they need it the most. Families will always know what to do when and get inspired along the way!
Secrets to Getting Money to Pay for College
Designed for parents, we will show exactly how to find and apply for school-based merit scholarships, as well as outside scholarships. We will also cover how to apply for financial aid and discuss strategies for best filling out the FAFSA and PROFILE financial aid applications.
Just a Few of the Colleges Attended by Academy Students:
About the Creator of the Acceptance Academy
Danny Ruderman is nationally recognized as one of America’s premier college counselors. After being the first in his family to attend college and only the third student to be accepted into Stanford University from his public high school, Danny's mission is to help as many families as possible navigate the admission process. He is the author of The Ultimate College Acceptance System (St. Martin’s Press) and Top 100 Answers to Your College Admission Questions. He has also created college counseling programs used by nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies.
Watch the video!
Now YOUR child can get the SAME advice, guidance, and support once available only to high-profile families.
Danny totally had my back and helped me express who I really was–no easy task in such a high-growth phase of life. I am forever grateful for Danny’s guidance.
“
”
—EVAN SPIEGEL, Stanford grad and CEO of Snapchat
A Few Nice Words:
"Danny's Academy was really constructive. It's impressive to have the hours fly by so quickly! Danny was really funny, which made the writing come a lot easier."
- Colin Browne, Student at the University of Pennsylvania
"Danny's Academy was a lifesaver. Danny made this whole process so much less stressful. I was applying to a very specific program at NYU, and he had a real understanding of what I would need to accomplish. Danny was honest with me about my goals and upfront about what was expected. The workshop itself was great because when I had doubts about what I was doing, Danny was always available with words of encouragement."
- Willa Polstein, Student at NYU's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music
"I can't tell you how much Danny helped me with my essays. I honestly had no idea how to start, and they really helped me come up with ideas and refine my writing. I got so much done and all before I went back to school."
- Jackson Shire, Student at Dartmouth University
"The Academy was amazingly helpful. I loved how practical it was. We learned so much about the essays, interviews, and how to write emails to admission reps! Overall, I feel so much more confident about going into senior year."
- Neecki Zand, Student at the University of California Berkeley
"This has been as helpful as anything could be. Being forced to do work, I worked. It also helped that Danny was there the entire time for questions throughout. The group size was perfect."
- Dylan Norris, Student at the University of Michigan
"Working with Danny was definitely one of the best decisions my family and I made, and I am so grateful for his advice. Throughout the whole college process, when everyone was stressing about getting apps in, I never felt any because I turned everything in waaaay before the deadline. Danny really made the my dreams, and the “impossible” my reality. I would’ve never gotten into my dream school without Danny’s help and guidance. If you have an opportunity to work with him, take it."
- Sofia Ziman, Student at NYU's Tisch School Photography & Imaging Program
"I definitely owe Danny a big thank you. He really taught me how to think critically and separate myself from the crowd. There is a big emphasis these days on being able to 'network,' but through the lens of Danny Ruderman, I learned that simply means being genuine with the right people.
- Jacob Wasserman, Student at Tulane University
"Without Danny I wouldn’t have gotten into my dream school. Simple as that! He helped me find a program that revolves around my passion and will allow me to gain real world experience before I graduate college. Danny was incredibly helpful not only to my application and essays but also my mental health and stress throughout the process. He’s also very honest and will lay out a guided plan to get you where you want to go to school— the only thing you need to do is work for it. He will be a grounding and helpful part of your college process. Of course, ultimately you will get yourself into your dream school, but Danny will give you the tools to do exactly that and more.
- Anna Sophia Lotman, Student at the University of Pennsylvania
Enroll Today!
…and it’s at a price you can manage.
Families typically pay from $5,000-$20,000 to work with me. I don’t say that to brag. I say it to give context.
I come from the middle-est of middle-class families. My parents couldn’t afford a tutor for me in high school, much less a college counselor.
I also know what it’s like to desperately want something but also be terrified that I could never afford it.
That’s why I’ve set up Acceptance Academy so every family can benefit!
LIVE monthly online classes focused on succeeding in and out of high school and on college research and applications
LIVE monthly Q&A sessions for parents that provides strategies & resources to help keep parents sane & maintain their relationships with their children.
3-day application bootcamp to complete the applications and essays BEFORE 12th grade starts
FREE BONUS Resource: Automated text reminders (with links to videos and resources) and support messages
FREE BONUS Resource: Secrets to Getting Money to Pay for College
No-Risk Guarantee
Try Acceptance Academy for up to 90 days risk-free. If within the first 90 days you don’t love it and don’t feel it’s exactly the support your child and family need, just email the address on your receipt and we'll refund 100% of your purchase price. No questions asked and no hard feelings.
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