top of page
Danny Ruderman Logo 2_3_25.png

FREE Advanced Admissions Training

Get instant access to the proven strategies my students used to get into top colleges.

IT'S FREE

Save Massive Amounts of Time

SparkGrad Tech-Notebook

LEARN NOW

 Gain Admission Into Top Colleges

Screen Shot 2023-05-08 at 9.27.09 AM.png

Get A Plan for Your Family & Ask Questions

DREAM BIG

Thumbnail Picture.png

Testimonials

Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Penn, MIT, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Duke, U Chicago, Rice, Wash U, UCLA, Berkeley, Michigan, Miami, UT, Amherst

Just a few of the colleges my students were accepted to in the past year.

Screenshot 2024-03-28 at 8.52.33 PM.png

Thank you for being who you are! Your unique gift is being able to understand young people and help parents like us better understand our children.

Dori and Rob Kenneally

Screenshot 2024-03-08 at 4.46.52 PM.png

Danny gave outstanding advice and was patient and kind with my daughter. If you’re looking to help your child, Danny would be your first choice.

Dylan McDermott

Screenshot 2024-03-08 at 4.44.58 PM.png

You are so good at what you do, and you impact these kids very deeply at one of their first true inflection points as people. Thank you doesn't come close.

Amie Steir

  • Do I need this if my child already has a school counselor?
    Yes — and here's why: Most school counselors are managing hundreds of students, which means limited time, vague advice, and generic timelines. AppMap is like having a private roadmap + guidance system tailored to your student — available 24/7.
  • Can I cancel anytime?
    Yes — you can cancel your subscription at any time with a single click. No hidden fees. No hassle. No guilt. We also offer a 7-day free trial so you can explore the system risk-free
  • Do students use this, or is it just for parents?
    It’s primarily for parents — to reduce your stress, keep you informed, and help you support your child without nagging. That said, we include bonus tools and videos you can share with your student, and some families choose to go through the content together.
  • What happens after I sign up?
    You’ll take a short onboarding quiz so we can personalize your student’s timeline. Then you’ll instantly get access to: Your custom month-by-month checklist Your Parent Dashboard Video guidance and templates Live weekly Q&As Email + SMS reminders so you never miss a key moment
  • Is this the same system you used with your private clients?
    Yes — AppMap is built on the same frameworks I have used to help thousands of students get into the most selective colleges in the world. The difference? You don’t need to pay $15,000+ to access it anymore.
  • What is AppMap?
    AppMap is a subscription-based digital system that gives you a month-by-month roadmap to help your child get into college — without the stress, confusion, or overwhelm. It tells you exactly what to do (and when), sends you reminders, and includes expert video guidance, live Q&A, and tools trusted by families accepted to top schools like Stanford, NYU, and UCLA.
  • What if I have more than one child in school?
    You can add multiple students under one account and we’ll generate separate timelines for each one — based on their grade, goals, and current status.
  • Do you offer support if I get stuck or have questions?
    Yes — AppMap includes weekly live Q&A sessions with me personally, and I'm always adding new tools based on parent questions. You’re never on your own.
  • Who is this for?
    AppMap is built for parents of students in 8th–12th grade who want to feel confident, organized, and supported throughout the college admissions journey. Whether your student is aiming for the Ivies or just trying to figure out their options, this system helps you stay on track — even if your child isn’t always, well… totally on board (yet!).
  • How much time will this take each week?
    The program is flexible, but most students spend 3-10 hours per week on their project.
  • 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.
  • What if my teen isn’t motivated?
    The structured framework, weekly coaching calls, and peer accountability make it easy for students to stay engaged.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Who is this site for?
    Parents of high school students who want to maximize their kids chances at America's top colleges.
  • 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.

About Me

I feel fortunate to be nationally recognized as one of America’s premier college counselors. As the first in my family to attend college and only the third student from my public high school to be accepted into Stanford University, my mission is to help as many families as possible navigate the admissions 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.

Danny Transparent Bio LA Mag and Stage.png
Media Logos Transparent 2018.png

Still Have Questions?

Let’s create a clear plan together.

Limited Free Spots Available.

Do You Want to Get Your Teen into a Top College—Without the Stress?

Join the over 5000 parents who have used my proven system to help their teens stand out and get accepted.

No email required.

Evan Spiegel

“Danny totally had my back and helped me express who I really was.” 

—  Evan Spiegel, CEO Snapchat

bottom of page