The Confidence
PROJECT
Danny Ruderman's
"Danny totally had my back and helped me express who I really was.” — Evan Spiegel, CEO Snapchat
Want the "secret" behind getting into the world's top colleges?
It's helping students develop their authentic selves.
The Confidence Project is a one-of-a-kind LIVE, 8-week group coaching program where teens discover their authentic passions, create a real-world project, and build real world skills.
Try the First Session Free—No Commitment, No Risk!
I'm so confident in The Confidence Project that your teen can experience the first group session with zero risk.
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No payment upfront
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See if it’s a fit before committing
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Cancel anytime before the first session, no charge
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🗓 Next class starts Sunday, March 2 at 10 AM PST (Live coaching, replays available!)
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Enroll before February 25 and lock in the special price of $599 (normally $799).
“If it weren't for Danny helping me cold-email my mentor and continually encouraging me, I wouldn't be where I am.”
— Blake Slatkin, Grammy winning producer
Unlock Your Teen’s Potential: A Transformational Program for Growth, Confidence & College Success.
Most high school students are stuck in a cycle of stress, self-doubt, and endless activities they don’t actually care about. They hear that "passion projects" help with college admissions, but they have no idea what they’re interested in or where to start.
That’s where this 8-week program comes in.
This is not about another resume-building activity. This is about helping your teen tap into their true interests, develop a project they’re excited about, and gain the skills that will serve them for life:
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Grit – Learning to stick with something meaningful.
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Growth Mindset – Understanding that effort leads to success.
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Accountability – Building habits that create real results.
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Confidence & Agency – Seeing that they have the power to make things happen.
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Gratitude & Perspective – Learning how to reframe challenges and find purpose.
The Power of Creating Something Real
Using a guided, step-by-step, 8-week process, I help teens:
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Uncover what truly interests them (even if they have no idea what they like right now).
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Turn that interest into a meaningful project—one that excites them and creates real-world impact.
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Develop the skills to make it happen—time management, organization, accountability, and problem-solving.
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Feel proud of what they’ve built—which not only helps them stand out in college admissions but also gives them the confidence to tackle bigger goals in life.
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This isn’t just about college. It’s about equipping your teen with the mindset, skills, and motivation to thrive beyond high school.
“Danny helped me believe in myself and my writing for which I'm ever grateful.”
— Katherine Ewell, Author of the novel Dear Killer
What Kinds of Projects Do Students Create?
Students will get step-by-step action plan guides based on my years of gathering resources to help teens learn about an area of interest and pursue unique opportunities.
Guides are available for students who want to:
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Start a business or organization.
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Write a novel/short story.
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Create an art portfolio.
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Go into medicine.
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Do research.
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Be an engineer.
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Go into law.
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Get involved in social justice.
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Go into theater.
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Learn languages.
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Go into music.
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Or get into sports business or journalism.
Success Stories
"Danny's program 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 was a lifesaver. He 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 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
"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 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
"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
"Danny was amazingly helpful. I loved how practical his advice was. We learned so much about how to stand out to colleges! Overall, I feel so much more confident about going into senior year."
- Neecki Zand, Student at the University of California Berkeley
"I can't tell you how much Danny helped me. I honestly had no idea how to start, and he really helped me come up with ideas. I got so much done and all before I went back to school."
- Jackson Shire, Student at Dartmouth 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 to 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
Students Love These Extras!
School Strategies to Get Better Grades in Less Time
Productivity hacks for academic success.
Exclusive Interviews with Successful Students
Including insights from Evan Spiegel, founder of Snapchat, Grammy Award Winner Blake Slatkin, and Author Catherine Ewell.!
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How much time will this take each week?The program is flexible, but most students spend 3-10 hours per week on their project.
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What if my teen doesn’t know what they’re interested in?No problem! We specialize in helping students discover their interests, even if they think they have none. The program starts with guided self-discovery.
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What if my teen isn’t motivated?The structured framework, weekly coaching calls, and peer accountability make it easy for students to stay engaged.
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Does this really help with college admissions?Yes! Colleges love students who take initiative and build something meaningful. This is a game-changer for applications.
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How to do the 1-1 sessions work?After a student completes my four-day Application and Essay Bootcamp in August before their senior year, they will receive an invitation from one of my Certified Coaches to schedule three Zoom calls. These sessions will help them refine, edit, and finalize the essays they wrote during the Bootcamp. The calls can be scheduled at a time that is convenient for your child. Over the years, I have found that three sessions provide the ideal amount of time to complete everything with the highest level of quality.
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Is there a refund policy?I believe strongly in the quality of my program. If you’re not satisfied within the first 60 days, contact me for a full refund, providing a student (and parent) attended the events and did the work.
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What if we start late in the school year?My program is designed to be flexible. Your child can jump in at any time and receive the guidance they need to succeed.
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Who are your Certified Coaches?My coaches are experienced college essay experts, trained in my system for crafting unique, authentic, and standout essays. Each has spent hundreds of hours working with teens, helping students feel even more confident about their submissions.
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How many live sessions are there?I host two live workshops per month (one for parents and one for students (different sessions for different grades). I then put on the 4 day live boot camp in August before senior year to get the applications DONE!
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Does the fee cover everything for all four years of high school?Your enrollment fee covers the full program scope for your chosen grade level all the way through the application boot camp before the start of 12th grade. In other words, families only pay once. 11th grade is most expensive because this is where the rubber hits the road, as they say.
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Why is everything on this site free?Because I was the first in my family to go to college, I know how confusing and overwhelming the process can be. Every family deserves expert guidance, and as a former public school teacher, I love helping students become the best versions of themselves. If I can provide an idea or even a bit of inspiration, I know it can lead to big changes—whether that’s a student believing in themselves more, a parent feeling less stressed, or a family making a better college choice. For those who want more personalized help, I also offer affordable solutions. This website is a way to introduce my approach and personality so you can see if it’s the right fit for you.
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Who is this site for?Parents of high school students who want to maximize their kids chances at America's top colleges.
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What if I want more help beyond the free resources?If you're looking for a structured plan to get your child into their best-fit college without the stress or guesswork, I offer an affordable yearlong program that provides step-by-step guidance, expert advice, and personal support. The best way to see if it’s the right fit is to join a free, live small-group Q&A, where I’ll walk you through my approach and answer your questions.
How It Works Over the 8 Weeks
✔ Step 1: Clarity Session – During the group session dive deep into teens' interests, strengths, and what excites them. (No interest? No problem. I help them find it.)
✔ Step 2: The Project Plan – Together, we craft a structured plan for a project that’s meaningful, achievable, and sets them up for success.
✔ Step 3: Ongoing Guidance & Accountability – Your teen gets step-by-step support to ensure their project moves forward, along with coaching to develop key life skills like resilience, organization, and leadership.
✔ Step 4: Completion & Confidence – By the end, your teen has not just a completed project, but a new sense of confidence, purpose, and direction for the future.