Ivy Scholar Program
For students with the ambition and dedication to compete for top honors. 20 hours of intensive 1-on-1 mentorship designed for those aiming for Very High Commendation or the Grand Prize.
The Ivy Scholar Difference
This isn't just tutoring—it's a partnership with a dedicated mentor who will guide you through every aspect of creating a prize-worthy essay.
20 Hours of 1-on-1 Mentorship
Dedicated personal instruction tailored to your strengths, interests, and goals.
Personalized Prompt Selection
Strategic guidance to find the perfect prompt for your unique perspective and expertise.
Unlimited Essay Revisions
As many revision cycles as needed until your essay reaches its full potential.
Competition Strategy
Insider knowledge on what judges look for and how to position your essay for top honors.
Direct Mentor Access
Priority communication with your mentor throughout the writing process.
Deep Category Expertise
Intensive reading lists and discussions with subject-matter experts.
Your 18-Week Journey
Assessment & Strategy
Comprehensive skills assessment, interest mapping, and optimal category selection.
Deep Reading
Curated reading list of key thinkers and papers in your chosen category.
Thesis & Research
Developing and testing multiple thesis iterations with extensive research.
Draft Development
Intensive drafting with real-time feedback and structural adjustments.
Revision Cycles
Multiple rounds of deep revision, adding nuance and sophistication.
Final Polish
Line-by-line editing and preparation for submission.
Is Ivy Scholar Right for You?
Ideal Candidates
- Students aiming for Very High Commendation or higher
- Those with strong existing writing foundations
- Self-motivated learners who thrive with mentorship
- Students with genuine intellectual curiosity
- Those who can commit to intensive preparation
What We Look For
- Demonstrated interest in your chosen category
- Willingness to engage with challenging material
- Time commitment of 5-8 hours per week
- Openness to feedback and revision
- Genuine passion for ideas and argumentation
Common Questions
How is Ivy Scholar different from John Locke Basics?
John Locke Basics (AED 4,800) is a group track: 12 two-hour group sessions with up to 8 students, plus 6 hours of private mentorship on the submission. Ivy Scholar (AED 9,600) has no group component at all. All 20 hours are one-to-one with a dedicated mentor, scheduled around the student, and the mentor stays with the same essay from category selection to the final proofread. The curriculum is also different in kind: Basics teaches the method to a class; Ivy Scholar applies it to one student's question, reading list and drafts, with unlimited revision cycles.
Who should apply?
Students aged 12-18 who already write confidently with academic sources and are aiming for a Very High Commendation, a category prize or the Grand Prize rather than a first shortlisting. Typical applicants have been shortlisted before, have strong school results in the humanities or social sciences, and can commit 5-8 hours a week to reading and writing across the 18-week program. Because each mentor takes on a small number of Ivy Scholar students per cycle, we ask families to register interest first and then confirm fit in a free consultation.
How are the 20 hours scheduled?
Flexibly, and front-loaded where it matters. Most students use roughly an hour a week across the 18 weeks, with longer sessions during thesis development (weeks 5-8) and the revision cycles (weeks 13-16), and a final session before submission. Sessions are live online and booked directly with the mentor, so they can fit around school and time zones. Additional hours beyond the 20 can be added at AED 400 per hour if a student wants more review time near the deadline.
What happens after I register interest?
A member of the admissions team replies within 24-48 hours to arrange a free consultation. In that call we review the student's writing background, discuss which of the ten categories suits them, and confirm that Ivy Scholar is the right track; if a group track would serve the student better we will say so. Once a place is confirmed, the mentor is matched to the category and the assessment weeks begin, timed so that the deep-reading phase is complete when the 2027 questions are released in late January.
Register Your Interest
Due to the intensive nature of this program, we accept a limited number of students. Register your interest and we'll schedule a consultation to discuss fit.
Not sure if Ivy Scholar is right for you? Our John Locke Basics program is an excellent option that still includes personalized 1-on-1 mentorship.
Learn about John Locke Basics