Selective cohort. Standout applications.
Join us in Lake Como to advance 3–5 applications with 1:1 guidance and a network aiming for the most competitive U.S. universities, while engaging in curated activities designed to ease anxiety, build resilience, and take you out of your comfort zone.
Purpose
This is not just another college prep program. This is a transformative retreat.
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The Ivy League Retreat was designed by Ivy League specialists at The Ivy Centre, therapists, and professional communicators to elevate college applications beyond the ordinary.
During 4 immersive days on the shores of Lake Como, in Italy, students will:
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Advance 3 to 5 American university applications through guided, personalized mentorship
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Experience creative breakthroughs with special techniques meant to unlock clarity and originality
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Connect with an exclusive peer circle, cultivating bonds that will extend to elite campuses across the United States
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Thrive in a serene setting where wellness, focus, and nature set the stage for productivity and high performance
This is not about filling out forms or cramming essays. Instead, it’s about helping students shape a narrative that is relevant and powerful enough to stand out in the world’s most competitive admissions processes.
Who It’s For
An intimate, ultra competitive cohort, carefully chosen.
This retreat is for a select handful of ambitious students who:
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Aspire to enter the most competitive US universities
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Recognize the challenges of starting and structuring standout applications
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Seek personalized, face-to-face mentorship rather than generic guidance
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Value privacy, exclusivity, and high standards in both environment and company
We are limiting this retreat to 6 carefully selected participants to ensure appropriate mentor-to-student ratio and uncompromising quality of experience.
What Awaits You
A curated balance of discipline, wellness, and inspiration.
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Daily application intensives with 8 focused hours of writing, live feedback, and editing with our lead mentor
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Creative unlock sessions through guided journaling, storytelling workshops, reflective exercises to spark originality, and group dynamics to create a connection within the students
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Wellness and productivity rituals, such as yoga, meditation, morning breathwork, and practices that build resilience and productivity under pressure
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Exclusive networking through shared experiences with a diverse, handpicked peer group also on Ivy League-bound paths
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Cultural activities with curated dinners and short excursions to iconic locations in Lake Como and surrounding areas, designed for relaxation and inspiration
How It Works
An unparalleled process, by design.
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Cohort size: Only 6 students (2-3 direct The Ivy Centre mentees & 3-4 students selected through a special application process)
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Dates: November 25–30, 2025 (Thanksgiving week)
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Location: A private villa overlooking Lake Como, with separate accommodations for male and female students.
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Supervision: On-site mentor plus 2 staff members ensuring academic guidance, emotional support, and student well-being
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Inclusions: Housing, meals, airport transfers, and excursion transportation. Excludes flights and personal shopping
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Atmosphere: Substance-free, highly structured, disciplined, and safe environment, designed to maximize both productivity and wellness
