Long-Term Trajectory. Bespoke Mentorship.

For 9th–11th graders, stellar grades are no longer a differentiator—they’re the baseline. You need a multi-channel narrative strategy.

The Academy is a one-on-one mentorship that helps ambitious high schoolers reach their full potential.

Note: students of the Academy receive an additional 10% tuition adjustment applied to college application work through the Apps Lab.

Our Operational Scope

Hands-On Advisement Across 6 Key Pillars

Curriculum Planning

Strategic course selection (AP/IB/Honors) to ensure your transcript demonstrates maximum rigor without compromising GPA stability.

Activity Advisement

Shifting from passive participation to "Founder/Leader" status. We architect passion projects that create clear narrative "Spikes."

Summer Strategy

Identification and application support for high-leverage summer programs (e.g., TASP, Iowa Young Writers, RSI) to utilize downtime effectively.

Institutional Matching

Data-driven list building. We balance Reach, Target, and Safety schools based on historic acceptance data and culture fit.

Testing Timeline

Determining the optimal window for SAT/ACT attempts to maximize scores while minimizing burnout and interference with coursework.

Passion Project Mentorship

Hands-on, experienced guidance as you spearhead your own interdisciplinary passion project.


Most college consultants think in checklists.

We think in narratives.


Your Four-Year Arc

FROM EXPLORATION TO ACCEPTANCE

According to published Common Data Sets, at institutions like Princeton and Stanford, nearly 70% of admits arrive with perfect 4.0 GPAs. Furthermore, without distinguishing application “spikes,” traditional extracurricular involvement falls flat.

Don’t worry—we’ll help you stand out.

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Freshman Exploration

Join clubs and teams widely. We focus on academic acclimatization and identifying early interests to foster intellectual curiosity.

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Sophomore Selection

Zero in on favorites. We begin developing your passion project and “spike.” Shift focus from participation to leadership (with or without titles).

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Junior Specialization

Prioritize “depth” over “breadth.” We focus on passion project execution, course rigor, and maximizing your impact.

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Senior Strategy

Craft your applications to spotlight your project and impact. We translate your years of work into a compelling narrative arc.

The Academy | Burgess Workshop Studio

Academy Mentorship Terms

We limit enrollment to 12 students annually to ensure the integrity of our stewardship.

(The more selective your target institutions, the more important it is to secure early mentorship!)

Recommendations:

  • Targeting Ivies, Ivy+, & T30 colleges:
    3 "Academic Year" terms (9th – 11th grade).
  • Targeting T50s:
    2 "Academic Year" terms (10th – 11th grade).
  • Note: We offer flexibility for students wishing to meet over the summer, too.

The Semester

$4,000$3,500 / 5-Month Term

5 months of biweekly mentorship calls with Jackson. We focus on identifying your application "spikes" and establishing your narrative.

  • 10 Hours of Bespoke 1:1 Mentorship
  • Ongoing Audits of Transcript Rigor
  • Passion Project Coaching
  • Strategic Extracurricular Alignment
  • Prompt Email & Phone Support—Having an "Expert On-Call"
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Recommended Trajectory

The Academic Year

$7,000$6,000 / 10-Month TERM

10 months of biweekly mentorship calls. We move beyond the basics to incorporate gamification, psychology, leadership curation, and institutional fit strategy.

  • 20 Hours of Bespoke 1:1 Mentorship
  • All "Semester" Services
  • Comprehensive Course Rigor and "Intellectual Spike" Strategy
  • Professional Creative/Technical Portfolio Curation
Secure Your Spot

The Vanguard Track: Planning ahead? For 9th–11th graders, we offer multi-year Academy engagements. Lock in our current founding rates and begin building a cohesive, multi-year narrative today. Inquire during your consultation for structural details.