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Hands-on Mentorship

for 9th – 11th Graders.

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From course selection to extracurricular involvement,
a strong college app requires careful planning throughout high school.

Through the Academy, I offer one-on-one guidance to help you
maximize your involvement, culminating in a unique passion project.

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Operational Scope

I Offer 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 and coursework to utilize downtime effectively.

College List-Building

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

The "secret sauce." Hands-on, experienced guidance as you spearhead your own interdisciplinary passion project.

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.

Don’t worry—you can still stand out.

09

Freshman Exploration

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

10

Sophomore Selection

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

11

Junior Specialization

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

12

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 Terms

I limit enrollment to 12 students annually to ensure the integrity of my mentorship.
While I recommend biweekly meetings, some families prefer monthly ones.

Creative Fellowship Grants

Every year, I set aside a limited number of need-based grants.
Tell me your budget, and I am committed to finding a way to accommodate your family.

The Semester

$4,000$3,500 / 10-Hour Package

6–12 months of biweekly mentorship calls with Jackson: enough to identify your application "spikes," narrow down programs, and establish your narrative.

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

The Year

$7,000$6,000 / 20-Hour Package

12–24 months of biweekly mentorship calls. We have time to deepen your "spikes" by developing your passion project and maximizing your extracurricular leadership over long-term initiatives.

  • 20 Hours of Bespoke 1:1 Mentorship (at a Lower Hourly Rate)
  • All "the Semester" Services
  • Priority Scheduling
  • MFA-level Creative Portfolio Curation
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The Vanguard Track: Planning ahead? I offer multi-year Academy engagements. Lock in my current founding rates and begin building a cohesive, multi-year narrative today.

Learn How I Work