DANNY RUDERMAN'S
How to go to
STANFORD
The ultimate course to help your child authentically stand out among thousands of applicants and get accepted into Stanford University.
DANNY RUDERMAN'S
How to go to
STANFORD
What is the
How to go to Stanford Course?
The How to Go to Stanford Course is the gold-standard online training experience for high-achieving high school students who want to become the best version of themselves and truly have the best chance of getting accepted to Stanford.
Whether your child is about to start high school, entering senior year, or anything in between, my step-by-step training gives them all the tools and support they need to succeed at the highest levels in school, develop exceptional authentic interests, and create one of the best college applications in the country.
I've helped over 5000 students across a dozen countries get into top colleges, and I've had students get accepted to Stanford in each of the last 10 years. Now, I'd love to help your child show just how amazing they really are.
What is the
How to Go to Stanford Course?
Just imagine your child...
Discovering &
Developing Passions
Developing Passions
Writing Exceptional
Admissions Essays
Admissions Essays
Seeing the Words
"You Got IN!"
Just imagine
your child...
Discovering &
Developing Passions
Developing Passions
Writing Exceptional
Admissions Essays
Admissions Essays
Seeing the Words
"You Got IN!"
Just a Few of the Students I Helped Go to Stanford:
Just a Few of the Students I Helped Go to Stanford:
The Course Curriculum
One-of-a kind videos, resources, & templates designed to teach your child step-by-step how to maximize time, develop extraordinary extracurriculars, and create the best application specifically for Stanford.
- How to Use Your Mind to Create What You Want
Why do professional athletes visualize their race weeks before they run it? How do the most successful people in the world use their minds differently than "normal" people? In this lesson, I teach students the exact mental strategies & techniques that have been proven neurologically to work but, shockingly, most people don't know about!
- How to Master Anxiety
Since I have suffered from both anxiety and mild OCD since I was a child, I know how absolutely frustrating (and even helpless) it can feel when your brain and body seem to want to stop you from being your best. After researching and testing strategies for both myself and my students for 20 years, I now know what works. This is why I sincerely love teaching others how they can overcome worry, anxiety, and stress by implementing some simple consistent behavioral changes.
Module 2: Extracurriculars
- How to Discover a Passion - Parts 1 & 2
This lesson is one of my favorites of the entire course. For me, helping a student find something they love and watching them build their self-confidence as they find success is absolutely the best feeling. (Oh and it really helps for college admissions too!)
- How to Get a Job or Internship
Let's face it: the internet has made us lazy. Most students have no idea of how to actually get a job (hint—it's all about going in person). In this lesson, I walk students through the process of making a resume, connecting with managers and, most importantly, following up until they get multiple (yes multiple) job and internship offers.
I love how this generation is so entrepreneurial! I've had students start million dollar shoe businesses, national nonprofits, (and yes, tech companies...) Of course, most students don't learn how to start organizations in school, and they make tons of mistakes learning the hard way. In this lesson, I teach the ten most important tasks to test an idea and start getting results right away!
Module 3: Tests
- Should You Take the SAT or ACT and When?
Ok, so what's the real deal with standardized tests? Can a student really get into Stanford without them (since Stanford is still test optional?) The answer is yes, but many students will still want to spend the time to prep for them anyway. In this lesson, I explain the hows and whys.
- How to Figure Out Which Test is Better
The SAT and ACT are much more alike now than they are different. However, some students naturally score better on one than the other. In this lesson, I explain how to find out & then what to do about it.
- How to Best Prepare for the SAT and ACT
Since I was an SAT & ACT tutor for 10 years, I always want to help students learn the specific strategies that will allow them to raise their scores in the quickest amount of time. Surprisingly, many tutors don't teach these tactics, so I feel a responsibility to get the information into the hands of as many students as possible.
Module 4: School
- How to Hack School - Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4
- How to Pick Your Classes
Most people think that a student has to take every possible AP or IB or Advanced class possible in order to have a chance of going to Stanford. This, however, is not the case. The key is to MAXIMIZE TIME by taking the right challenging classes that ALSO allow students to pursue other interests. In this lesson I help students figure out the best schedule for their individual needs.
- How to Ensure Strong Letters of Recommendation
Module 5: Admissions
- How to Maximize the Campus Visit
While the Stanford tour can be helpful as an overview (my roommate was a tour guide), most students don't know they can take advantage of being on campus to connect with professors, sit in on classes, and even meet admissions officers. In this lesson, I'll explain how to make the most of the trip.
- How to Do Why Stanford Research
For anyone who has tried to navigate a college website, they will quickly find how confusing they can be. In this lesson, I show students how to use this complexity to their advantage in the admissions process. By knowing more than others about why Stanford is a match, a student can do a better job of convincing Stanford admissions they should be admitted.
- How to Work With Your School Counselor
Whether a student attends a public or private school, their school counselors can be their advocates IF a student learns how to cultivate the relationship. In this lesson, I cover just what steps to take throughout high school.
- How to Rock the Interview - Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4
While Stanford is only able to interview 13% of applicants, students who are able to meet with an alumnus have a small but important opportunity to add context & character to their application. In this lesson, I cover the most-asked questions and how to answer them.
- How to Create a Great Common App Parts 1 & 2
- How to Make a Standout Activities List
Creating an activities list that showcases a student's involvement is a bit of an art form. The Common App only allows 150 characters (not words) to describe an activity. In this lesson, I show students (and give examples) of how to maximize the space, use the best language, and connect activities to other parts of the application.
Ah, restrictive early action? Only Stanford and a handful of top colleges use it, which means that families don't typically know how it really works. In this lesson, I pull back the curtain to explain when and how to apply early vs when to apply regular decision.
Module 7: Essays
Good news: the personal statement can make a difference in a student's application. Better news: it is not actually difficult to craft a personal statement that gets noticed and helps an admissions officer want to accept a student. It's all about being honest and vulnerable in the storytelling, and over the years, I have crafted a very specific system for helping students come up with ideas and write a wonderful essay. In this lesson, I get to do what I am probably the best at: helping students showcase who they really are.
- How to Master the Stanford Supplemental Essays - Parts 1 & 2
Stanford is unlike almost every other university in America in that they ask 8 supplemental essay questions. The best news is that these questions allow a student to be creative and present different sides of themself, which is why I cannot overemphasize the importance of these essays. In this lesson, I give specific examples of past accepted essays to help students strategically write answers that give an admissions officer a full picture of the student's personal qualities.
Module 8: Parents
- How to Help Your Child Through The Admissions Process
Let's be honest: the college admissions process is unnecessarily complicated. Just the waiting causes an emotional rollercoaster, which is why, in this video, I provide specific ways to help your child (and you) stay sane and keep positive.
- How to Help Your Child With Anxiety
This lesson is close to my heart because I know what it's like to live with anxiety and to try to help young people deal with it. In this lesson, I humbly provide proven strategies that have worked specifically with teens to help them take control of their mental state and learn how to calm the worry and negative self-talk.
- How to Motivate Your Child
- How to Preserve Your Relationship
In this lesson, I share advice given to me by parents over the last 20 years about what has worked for them and what they wished they had known before embarking on the madness that we call high school!
The Course Curriculum
One-of-a kind videos, resources, & templates designed to teach your child step-by-step how to maximize time, develop extraordinary extracurriculars, and create the best application specifically for Stanford.
Module 1: Personal
- How to Use Your Mind to Create What You Want
Why do professional athletes visualize their race weeks before they run it? How do the most successful people in the world use their minds differently than "normal" people? In this lesson, I teach students the exact mental strategies & techniques that have been proven neurologically to work but, shockingly, most people don't know about!
- How to Master Anxiety
Since I have suffered from both anxiety and mild OCD since I was a child, I know how absolutely frustrating (and even helpless) it can feel when your brain and body seem to want to stop you from being your best. After researching and testing strategies for both myself and my students for 20 years, I now know what works. This is why I sincerely love teaching others how they can overcome worry, anxiety, and stress by implementing some simple consistent behavioral changes.
Module 2: Extracurriculars
- How to Discover a Passion - Parts 1 & 2
This lesson is one of my favorites of the entire course. For me, helping a student find something they love and watching them build their self-confidence as they find success is absolutely the best feeling. (Oh and it really helps for college admissions too!)
- How to Get a Job or Internship
Let's face it: the internet has made us lazy. Most students have no idea of how to actually get a job (hint—it's all about going in person). In this lesson, I walk students through the process of making a resume, connecting with managers and, most importantly, following up until they get multiple (yes multiple) job and internship offers.
- How to Start a Business or Organization
I love how this generation is so entrepreneurial! I've had students start million dollar shoe businesses, national nonprofits, (and yes, tech companies...) Of course, most students don't learn how to start organizations in school, and they make tons of mistakes learning the hard way. In this lesson, I teach the ten most important tasks to test an idea and start getting results right away!
Module 3: Tests
- Should You Take the SAT or ACT and When?
Ok, so what's the real deal with standardized tests? Can a student really get into Stanford without them (since Stanford is still test optional?) The answer is yes, but many students will still want to spend the time to prep for them anyway. In this lesson, I explain the hows and whys.
- How to Figure Out Which Test is Better
The SAT and ACT are much more alike now than they are different. However, some students naturally score better on one than the other. In this lesson, I explain how to find out & then what to do about it.
- How to Best Prepare for the SAT and ACT
Since I was an SAT & ACT tutor for 10 years, I always want to help students learn the specific strategies that will allow them to raise their scores in the quickest amount of time. Surprisingly, many tutors don't teach these tactics, so I feel a responsibility to get the information into the hands of as many students as possible.
- How to Hack School - Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4
Most students who take this course will already be great students. However, I have found the even the best students work inefficiently and haven't been taught simple yet incredibly effective skills to save time and increase retention. From learning new ways to recall information for tests to making a plan for finals to ensure success to maximizing Chat GPT (in an ethical way), I cover my favorite tactics to rock school.
Most people think that a student has to take every possible AP or IB or Advanced class possible in order to have a chance of going to Stanford. This, however, is not the case. The key is to MAXIMIZE TIME by taking the right challenging classes that ALSO allow students to pursue other interests. In this lesson I help students figure out the best schedule for their individual needs.
- How to Ensure Strong Letters of Recommendation
Students have no idea that a teacher doesn't just write a letter, they also fill out a form in which they rank a student in specific categories. Letters of recommendation are one of the most important but under-utilized parts of the application process. This is why I make sure to teach students exactly what to do with their teachers to make sure their letters stand out.
Module 5: Admissions
- How to Maximize the Campus Visit
While the Stanford tour can be helpful as an overview (my roommate was a tour guide), most students don't know they can take advantage of being on campus to connect with professors, sit in on classes, and even meet admissions officers. In this lesson, I'll explain how to make the most of the trip.
- How to Do Why Stanford Research
For anyone who has tried to navigate a college website, they will quickly find how confusing they can be. In this lesson, I show students how to use this complexity to their advantage in the admissions process. By knowing more than others about why Stanford is a match, a student can do a better job of convincing Stanford admissions they should be admitted.
- How to Work With Your School Counselor
Whether a student attends a public or private school, their school counselors can be their advocates IF a student learns how to cultivate the relationship. In this lesson, I cover just what steps to take throughout high school.
- How to Rock the Interview - Parts 1, 2, & 3
While Stanford is only able to interview 13% of applicants, students who are able to meet with an alumnus have a small but important opportunity to add context & character to their application. In this lesson, I cover the most-asked questions and how to answer them.
Module 6: The Common App
- How to Create a Great Common App
Unbeknownst to most, The Common Application has some specific places that students can utilize to better tell their story. In this lesson, I walk students through the entire process of completing the application and how to take advantage of each part.
- How to Make a Standout Activities List
Creating an activities list that showcases a student's involvement is a bit of an art form. The Common App only allows 150 characters (not words) to describe an activity. In this lesson, I show students (and give examples) of how to maximize the space, use the best language, and connect activities to other parts of the application.
- How to Determine If You Should Apply REA or RD
Ah, restrictive early action? Only Stanford and a handful of top colleges use it, which means that families don't typically know how it really works. In this lesson, I pull back the curtain to explain when and how to apply early vs when to apply regular decision.
Module 7: Essays
- How to Craft an Exceptional Personal Statement - Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4
Good news: the personal statement can make a difference in a student's application. Better news: it is not actually difficult to craft a personal statement that gets noticed and helps an admissions officer want to accept a student. It's all about being honest and vulnerable in the storytelling, and over the years, I have crafted a very specific system for helping students come up with ideas and write a wonderful essay. In this lesson, I get to do what I am probably the best at: helping students showcase who they really are.
- How to Master the Stanford Supplemental Essays - Parts 1 & 2
Stanford is unlike almost every other university in America in that they ask 8 supplemental essay questions. The best news is that these questions allow a student to be creative and present different sides of themself, which is why I cannot overemphasize the importance of these essays. In this lesson, I give specific examples of past accepted essays to help students strategically write answers that give an admissions officer a full picture of the student's personal qualities.
- How to Help Your Child With Anxiety
This lesson is close to my heart because I know what it's like to live with anxiety and to try to help young people deal with it. In this lesson, I humbly provide proven strategies that have worked specifically with teens to help them take control of their mental state and learn how to calm the worry and negative self-talk.
- How to Motivate Your Child
- How to Preserve Your Relationship
In this lesson, I share advice given to me by parents over the last 20 years about what has worked for them and what they wished they had known before embarking on the madness that we call high school!
Special Bonuses You Can Only Get With The Course
My Insider Tour of the Stanford Campus
More Real Accepted Stanford Apps That Worked
While I use real, past accepted Stanford essays to teach my system in the course, I have so many other amazing Stanford applications that have worked over the years! In this bonus, I review a variety of essays, apps, and activity lists to help your child discover how to best present themself!
Links to Hard-to-Find Stanford Resources
If you've ever tried to navigate a college website, you'll know just how confusing it can be, and my goal is always to save you time and stress. In this bonus, I have compiled the most important (and often hidden) web pages to learn about Stanford and research its unique programs, so your child can stand out in both the essays and interview.
My personal templates for resumes, cover letters, mentor emails, and communications to professors and admissions reps
These are the proven templates I have used with my 1-1 students over the years. It took me a long time to hone and test the messages that worked the best, and in this bonus, I show your child how to use them to make connections and create amazing opportunities.
A free copy of my latest book: Secrets to Getting Money to Pay for College
When I was in high school, my dad told me he didn't think I could go to Stanford because my family couldn't afford it. I set out to get as many scholarships as I could and master the financial aid process, so I could attend. This is why I love nothing more than to help families save money and make Stanford more affordable.
An Exclusive, Never-Heard-Before Interview With Snap CEO, Evan Spiegel
Evan was nice enough to sit down with me to discuss how his family helped him develop as a person, what he did in high school to stand out, and what he learned and did at Stanford that helped him become the world's youngest billionaire. Success leaves clues, so I wanted to have him tell his story to both inspire your child and give them tools to create their own amazing life!
Special Bonuses
You Can Only Get With The Course
Interviews with Current Stanford Students
What better way to learn what Stanford is really like than by hearing it from current students who are there right now? My candid interviews with a variety of students will help your child learn about Stanford in ways they'd never learn on a generic campus tour.
After I took the standard campus tour, I realized just how little of campus we really saw! The place is HUGE, so that's why I spent hours walking to see all parts of the campus—from touring the dorms to walking the path around Lake Lagunita to going to downtown Palo Alto. See Stanford the way only a past student could show you.
While I use real, past accepted Stanford essays to teach my system in the course, I have so many other amazing Stanford applications that have worked over the years! In this bonus, I review a variety of essays, apps, and activity lists to help your child discover how to best present themself!
Links to Hard-to-Find Stanford Resources
If you've ever tried to navigate a college website, you'll know just how confusing it can be, and my goal is always to save you time and stress. In this bonus, I have compiled the most important (and often hidden) web pages to learn about Stanford and research its unique programs, so your child can stand out in both the essays and interview.
My personal templates for resumes, cover letters, mentor emails, and communications to professors and admissions reps
These are the proven templates I have used with my 1-1 students over the years. It took me a long time to hone and test the messages that worked the best, and in this bonus, I show your child how to use them to make connections and create amazing opportunities.
A free copy of my latest book: Secrets to Getting Money to Pay for College
When I was in high school, my dad told me he didn't think I could go to Stanford because my family couldn't afford it. I set out to get as many scholarships as I could and master the financial aid process, so I could attend. This is why I love nothing more than to help families save money and make Stanford more affordable.
An Exclusive, Never-Heard-Before Interview With Snap CEO, Evan Spiegel
Evan was nice enough to sit down with me to discuss how his family helped him develop as a person, what he did in high school to stand out, and what he learned and did at Stanford that helped him become the world's youngest billionaire. Success leaves clues, so I wanted to have him tell his story to both inspire your child and give them tools to create their own amazing life!
You're Protected By My 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
This program has the power to profoundly change your child's life forever. If, at any time, you don’t feel it’s the right fit, just email us, and we’ll issue you a full refund.
This program has the power to profoundly change your child's life forever. If, at any time, you don’t feel it’s the right fit, just email us, and we’ll issue you a full refund.
Some More Nice Words
"Danny and I just clicked. He got me as both a student and a person. I feel truly indebted to his belief in me and his guidance."
- Luca Wheeler, Current Stanford Student
"Danny sense of humor and inherent understanding of teenagers helped me get into Columbia, Princeton, and Stanford, I couldn't recommend him more!" - Caroline Sasso, Current Stanford Student
"Danny truly helped me survive high school and master the application process. I'm confident that I got into Stanford thanks to his advice and guidance."
- Brynn Hochman, Current Stanford Student
"Many of my friends were stressed out of their minds during the process. Even my parents constantly worried. All along, however, Danny was a guiding voice who made me believe in myself."
- Henry Greenman, Current Stanford Student
"Danny's understanding of Stanford, both as an ex-student and as a counselor was invaluable. He not only helped me get in but also figure out that the university was the best match for me."
- Georgia Sasso, Current Stanford Student
"Danny made the process so easy, and he made me feel so confident about what I do. He also gave me the power to articulate my story, and I am forever grateful."
- Jake Brooks, Past Stanford Student
Some More Nice Words
"Danny and I just clicked. He got me as both a student and a person. I feel truly indebted to his belief in me and his guidance."
- Luca Wheeler, Current Stanford Student
"Danny sense of humor and inherent understanding of teenagers helped me get into Columbia, Princeton, and Stanford, I couldn't recommend him more!" - Caroline Sasso, Current Stanford Student
"Danny is amazing. He encouraged me to really go big with my community service work, he helped me get the test score I needed, and he guided me in presenting who I am as a person in my essays."- Jack Schoenfeld, Past Stanford Student
"Danny truly helped me survive high school and master the application process. I'm confident that I got into Stanford thanks to his advice and guidance."
- Brynn Hochman, Current Stanford Student
"Danny's understanding of Stanford, both as an ex-student and as a counselor was invaluable. He not only helped me get in but also figure out that the university was the best match for me."
- Georgia Sasso, Current Stanford Student
"Danny made the process so easy, and he made me feel so confident about what I do. He also gave me the power to articulate my story, and I am forever grateful."
- Jake Brooks, Past Stanford Student
About Me
I feel fortunate to be nationally recognized as one of America’s premier college counselors.
Over the last 18+ years, I also have been blessed to have helped the children of some of the most successful people in the world. Yet, since I am the first from my family to attend college and only the third student to be accepted into Stanford from my public high school, my mission is to help as many families as possible navigate the admission process.
I am the author of The Ultimate College Acceptance System (St. Martin’s Press) and Top 100 Answers to Your College Admission Questions. I have also created college counseling programs used by nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies.
About Me
FAQs
What will we get in the How to Go to Stanford Course?
The asynchronous course combines hours of coaching videos with resources designed to help parents and students successfully navigate high school, find and develop authentic interests, and create a standout Stanford application based on years of proven strategies that have worked for both current and past Stanford students.
What is the best year in school to start the course?
I have designed the course materials to help 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. In fact, many students have said they keep coming back to the course each year to learn specific strategies to help them throughout school.
Who is the course not meant for?
The course is specifically for students who want to attend Stanford. While much of the advice can also be utilized to apply to other top colleges, the instruction about the essays and most of the bonuses are focused on getting accepted to Stanford. The course is probably not a match for students who don't want to invest the time and energy to become exceptional high school students. Students don't need to know what they want to do in college (or in life); however they should be willing to persevere when challenges arise.
Why does the course cost $397?
In all honesty, I believe this course is the best thing I have ever created and is worth 10X the cost. The material is
based on tens of thousands of hours of working with exceptional high school students, and this experience has allowed me to understand what they face, hone exactly how to motivate and inspire them, and provide proven techniques that save time, prevent stress, and produce results. Families have paid me up to $20,000/year for the same information, and I am confident that nothing else exists like what your family will receive.
Is it truly risk free?
Yes! I want to ensure that every parent and student feels like they are getting so much value for the course that if, for any reason, someone isn't completely satisified, I will provide a full refund, no questions asked.
FAQs
What will we get in the How to Go to Stanford Course?
The asynchronous course combines hours of coaching videos with resources designed to help parents and students successfully navigate high school, find and develop authentic interests, and create a standout Stanford application based on years of proven strategies that have worked for both current and past Stanford students.
What is the best year in school to start the course?
I have designed the course materials to help 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. In fact, many students have said they keep coming back to the course each year to learn specific strategies to help them throughout school.
Who is the course not meant for?
The course is specifically for students who want to attend Stanford. While much of the advice can also be utilized to apply to other top colleges, the instruction about the essays and most of the bonuses are focused on getting accepted to Stanford. The course is probably not a match for students who don't want to invest the time and energy to become exceptional high school students. Students don't need to know what they want to do in college (or in life); however they should be willing to persevere when challenges arise.
Let's Do This!
After all your child has accomplished, how great would it be to send them to Stanford?
Set your child up for all of high school with one low fee.
$597
Or 12 payments of $65
($300 off normal $897 cost--good until 10/31/23)
Let's Do This!
After all your child has accomplished, how great would it be to send them to Stanford?
Set your child up for all of high school with one low fee.
$597
Or 12 payments of $65
Family/Student Testimonials. As with any success-related program, your results using the How to Go to Stanford Course may vary from these family testimonials. Your results will be based on many variables, such as your child's level of effort, school performance, test scores, activities, and a host of other factors. Since these factors differ for each individual, we cannot guarantee your success, results, or acceptances, nor are we responsible for your success or failure. The How to Go to Stanford Course takes time, effort, and dedication. We believe that we provide you a great toolbox to achieve your desired results, and our students and families agree.
© 2023 DANNY RUDERMAN ENTERPRISES INC. | 269 S. BEVERLY DRIVE #139 BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212 | 800-958-2885
Family/Student Testimonials. As with any success-related program, your results using the How to Go to Stanford Course may vary from these family testimonials. Your results will be based on many variables, such as your child's level of effort, school performance, test scores, activities, and a host of other factors. Since these factors differ for each individual, we cannot guarantee your success, results, or acceptances, nor are we responsible for your success or failure. The How to Go to Stanford Course takes time, effort, and dedication. We believe that we provide you a great toolbox to achieve your desired results, and our students and families agree.
© 2023 DANNY RUDERMAN ENTERPRISES INC.
269 S. BEVERLY DRIVE #139 BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212 800-958-2885