Go Ivy or Go Free

How to Go to College for FREE | Go Ivy or Go Free Ep 6. w/ Youssef Hasweh

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Go Ivy or Go Free Podcast! In this episode, host Andreas Stamatakis sits down with QuestBridge National Match recipient, content creator, and Gen Z strategist Youssef Hasweh — the scholar who went from never expecting to attend college to earning a full-ride to one of the most academically rigorous universities in the world — to hear how he cracked the code on elite admissions without the private counselors, prep courses, or financial safety net that most admits take for granted. If you think QuestBridge is just another scholarship program, or that Early Decision is a fair and neutral process, or that elite universities are purely meritocratic institutions — this episode will challenge every one of those assumptions. Andreas and Youssef get real about why the conventional admissions system is rigged toward the wealthy — and how students like Youssef are proving there's a smarter way to play it. Youssef walks through exactly how QuestBridge works: the College Prep Scholar program, the National Finalist process, and what the Match actually means when you sign on the dotted line — binding yourself to a school before you've seen a single financial aid letter from anywhere else. We're talking about a program that can deliver a full, four-year ride to schools like UChicago, Princeton, and Yale — but one that comes with trade-offs most students don't fully understand before committing. The conversation also goes deep on how colleges actually make admissions decisions: Why does Early Decision disproportionately favor wealthy applicants? How does the obsession with yield rates shape who gets in, who gets aid, and who gets strung along? And is a binding commitment ever truly in a student's best interest? Andreas breaks down how to think about QuestBridge versus ED versus regular decision — and where each strategy makes sense depending on your situation. 🎙️ About Our Guest: Youssef HaswehYoussef Hasweh is a QuestBridge National Match recipient, content creator, and Gen Z marketing strategist who went from never expecting to attend college to earning a full-ride to the University of Chicago. Youssef turned his admissions journey into a platform and a career: building a TikTok following of over 160K demystifying college and scholarships for first-gen students, landing a spot in the BuzzFeed Creator Residency, interning at Red Bull, Adobe, and Sony Music Publishing, and rising to Strategy Advisor at JUV Consulting. He also founded two scholarships and served as a Career Fellow at QuestBridge, giving back to the pipeline that changed his life. Nobody understands the QuestBridge and elite admissions process quite like someone who actually lived it — and Youssef isn't shy about sharing what he learned. 🎙️ About Your Host: Andreas StamatakisWidely considered the #1 Ivy Admissions Advisor on Earth, Andreas Stamatakis has spent over a decade advising on elite college admissions and built a social media empire dedicated to making top-tier Ivy strategies accessible to millions of students worldwide — for free. Andreas started his consulting practice at just 18, right after turning down multiple Ivy League acceptances for a full-ride to Stony Brook University. Holding degrees in Physics, Pure Math, and Applied Math, he brings a first-principles approach to admissions, debunking myths with hard facts and contrarian strategies that have helped thousands of students get accepted. 🔗 Connect with Us! Follow Youssef Hasweh: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youssefuniversity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youssefuniversity/ Website: https://beacons.ai/youssefhasweh Follow Andreas Stamatakis & The Ivy League Roadmap: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivy_roadmap TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ivy_roadmap Website & Consulting: https://ivyroadmap.org Book: The Ivy League Roadmap (Available on Amazon): https://a.co/d/0bhf10mC

This School Has No Teachers. Every Parent Wants In | Go Ivy or Go Free Ep 5. w/ Joe Liemandt

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Go Ivy or Go Free Podcast! In this episode, host Andreas Stamatakis sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and education disruptor Joe Liemandt — the visionary founder behind Alpha School — to hear how he's completely reimagining what school can look like for the next generation of builders, creators, and leaders. If you think the only path to a successful future runs through a traditional classroom with teachers, textbooks, and homework, think again. In this episode, Andreas and Joe get real about why the conventional education model is broken — and how Alpha School is proving there's a radically better way. Joe walks through exactly how Alpha School works: instead of sitting in lectures all day, students use AI to master core academics in just 2 hours, then spend the rest of their day on real-world projects that most adults never accomplish in a lifetime. We're talking about high schoolers who have made $1 million in high school, served as PR reps for A-list celebrities, built Broadway musical productions, launched apps, and more — all before graduation. The conversation also goes deep on the philosophy behind Alpha's model: Why does traditional schooling kill curiosity? What does it actually mean to be "educated"? And is a Harvard degree still worth it when a 16-year-old in your school is already running a profitable company? Andreas gives his take on how to think about the ROI of elite credentials versus real-world experience — and where the two might actually complement each other. Expect plenty of big ideas, some uncomfortable truths about traditional schooling, and a conversation that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about preparing kids for the real world.  About Our Guest: Joe Liemandt Joe Liemandt is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and the founder of Alpha School — one of the most innovative and controversial schools in America. Previously, Joe built Trilogy Software into a multi-billion dollar enterprise, establishing himself as one of the most successful tech entrepreneurs of his generation. Today, through Alpha School, Joe is on a mission to prove that AI can deliver world-class academic instruction in just 2 hours a day — freeing students to spend the rest of their time doing what actually prepares them for life: building, creating, leading, and launching real ventures. Alpha students don't just learn about the world — they go out and change it.  About Your Host: Andreas Stamatakis Widely considered the #1 Ivy Admissions Advisor on Earth, Andreas Stamatakis has spent over a decade advising on elite college admissions and has built a social media empire dedicated to democratizing elite admissions advice, making top-tier Ivy strategies accessible to millions of students worldwide — for free. Andreas started his consulting practice at just 18 years old, right after making the ultimate strategic move: turning down multiple Ivy League acceptances for a full-ride scholarship to Stony Brook University. Holding degrees in Physics, Pure Math, and Applied Math, he brings a first-principles approach to the admissions process, debunking myths with hard facts and contrarian strategies that have helped thousands of students get accepted.  Connect with Us! Follow Joe Liemandt: X: https://x.com/jliemandt [https://x.com/jliemandt] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphaschool_2hrlearning/ [https://www.instagram.com/alphaschool_2hrlearning/] Website: https://www.alpha.school [https://www.alpha.school/] Follow Andreas Stamatakis & The Ivy League Roadmap: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivy_roadmap [https://www.instagram.com/ivy_roadmap] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ivy_roadmap [https://www.tiktok.com/@ivy_roadmap] Website & Consulting: https://ivyroadmap.org [https://ivyroadmap.org/] Book: The Ivy League Roadmap (Available on Amazon): https://a.co/d/0bhf10mC [https://a.co/d/0bhf10mC]

Go Ivy, Go Free, or...Drop OUT? | Go Ivy or Go Free Ep. 4 w/ Eric Ou

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Go Ivy or Go Free Podcast! In this episode, host Andreas Stamatakis sits down with content creator, startup operator, and USC dropout Eric Ou (aka @ericcouu [https://www.instagram.com/ericcouu/]) to hear how a top high school student ended up at community college, transferred into USC, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, Emory, and more—and then made the bold decision to drop out and go all-in on startups and social media. If you think the only path to success runs through a four-year degree at an elite university, think again. In this episode, Andreas and Eric get real about what happens when life doesn't go according to plan—and why that might actually be the best thing that ever happens to you. Eric walks through his full journey: excelling in high school, landing at community college, grinding his way to transfer acceptances, and ultimately choosing USC before making the controversial decision to drop out and pursue startups full-time. He shares what it was like working with Turbo AI and other startups, and how he built a social media following of nearly 300K on TikTok and Instagram by being unapologetically honest about his unconventional path. The conversation also goes deep on the practical side of admissions: Andreas breaks down the actual essay that got Eric into USC as a transfer student, dissecting what made it work and what students can learn from it. They also tackle one of the most polarizing questions in college admissions—when does it actually make sense to drop out versus stay in school? Eric shares the framework he used to make that decision, and Andreas gives his take on how to think about the ROI of a degree versus real-world experience. They also cover how Eric got started on social media, turning his college journey content into a full-blown audience. Expect plenty of laughs, some hard truths about the traditional college path, and a conversation that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about "making it." About Our Guest: Eric Ou Eric Ou is a content creator, startup operator, and social media personality with 300,000 followers on TikTok (@ericcouu [https://www.tiktok.com/@ericcouu]). After graduating as a top student in high school, Eric attended community college before transferring to USC, where he was also accepted to UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, Emory, and other top schools. He later dropped out of USC to work full-time in the startup world, including roles at Turbo AI and his own consulting venture, Ou-Yu Consulting. Eric is known for his raw, unfiltered content about college life, the transfer experience, and navigating early adulthood—and has built a loyal audience by telling the truth about the paths no one talks about. About Your Host: Andreas Stamatakis Widely considered the #1 Ivy Admissions Advisor on Earth, Andreas Stamatakis has spent over a decade advising on elite college admissions and has built a social media empire dedicated to democratizing elite admissions advice, making top-tier Ivy strategies accessible to millions of students worldwide for free. Andreas started his consulting practice when he was just 18 years old, right after making the ultimate strategic move: turning down multiple Ivy League acceptances for a full-ride scholarship to Stony Brook University. Holding degrees in Physics, Pure Math, and Applied Math, he brings a first-principles approach to the admissions process, debunking the myths using hard facts and contrarian strategies that have helped thousands of students get accepted. Connect with Us! Follow Eric Ou: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericcouu/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericcouu YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ericcouu Website: https://linktr.ee/ericcouu Follow Andreas Stamatakis & The Ivy League Roadmap: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivy_roadmap TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ivy_roadmap Website & Consulting: https://ivyroadmap.org Book: The Ivy League Roadmap (Available on Amazon): https://a.co/d/0bhf10mC

Build Your PURPOSE Project | Go Ivy or Go Free Ep. 3 w/ Andra Campos

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Go Ivy or Go Free Podcast! In this episode, host Andreas Stamatakis sits down with Stanford student and founder of Project Connect Forum, Andra Campos (aka @projectconnectforum), to hear how a first-generation, low-income student from Southern California built two organizations from scratch and landed acceptances to Stanford, Columbia (likely letter), UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, and more.If you think elite college admissions are reserved for students with expensive consultants and prep school pedigrees, think again. In this episode, Andreas and Andra get real about what it actually takes to stand out when you don't come from privilege. Andra walks through her journey of building Project Connect Forum into a platform with tens of thousands of users and founding Solace for Outdoor Workers, a nonprofit that provides sunscreen and sun safety resources to gardeners and other outdoor workers at higher risk of skin cancer. She shares what drove her to start both organizations, the setbacks she faced along the way, and how these passion projects became the backbone of her applications.The conversation also goes deep on the practical side of admissions: Andra talks about the importance of starting your essays early, how she approached writing authentically about her background, and what it was like opening her Stanford acceptance letter. Andreas breaks down why Andra's story is a masterclass in his strategic admissions philosophy, showing how genuine impact and a compelling narrative can outperform a perfect-on-paper applicant every time. They also cover how to start a successful nonprofit as a high school student—from finding a real problem to solve, to scaling your impact, to making it all feel genuine rather than resume-driven. Expect plenty of laughs, some hard truths about what "impressive" really means to admissions officers, and actionable advice you can start using today.🎙️ About Our Guest: Andra CamposAndra is a current Stanford University student, founder of Project Connect Forum—a platform with over 60,000 users that connects high school students with extracurricular opportunities and helps them launch their own passion projects. She is also the founder of Solace for Outdoor Workers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing sun safety resources to outdoor workers, and the creator of SunScan, a UV index app that won the Congressional App Challenge. Andra is the author of Math Speaks: Discovering the Wonders of Mathematics in Everyday Life and a recipient of the Edison Scholars Award ($50,000). She is passionate about empowering the next generation of student changemakers.🎙️ About Your Host: Andreas StamatakisWidely considered the #1 Ivy Admissions Advisor on Earth, Andreas Stamatakis has spent over a decade advising on elite college admissions and has built a social media empire dedicated to democratizing elite admissions advice, making top-tier Ivy strategies accessible to millions of students worldwide for free. Andreas started his consulting practice when he was just 18 years old, right after making the ultimate strategic move: turning down multiple Ivy League acceptances for a full-ride scholarship to Stony Brook University. Holding degrees in Physics, Pure Math, and Applied Math, he brings a first-principles approach to the admissions process, debunking the myths using hard facts and contrarian strategies that have helped thousands of students get accepted.🔗 Connect with Us!Follow Andra Campos:Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/projectconnectforum/ TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@projectconnectforum Website: https://projectconnectforum.com/ Follow Andreas Stamatakis & The Ivy League Roadmap:Instagram: / ivy_roadmap TikTok: / ivy_roadmap Website & Consulting: https://ivyroadmap.org/Book: The Ivy League Roadmap (Available on Amazon): https://a.co/d/0bhf10mC

Why "Perfect" Students Get Rejected & Building Your 'Spike' | Go Ivy or Go Free Ep. 2 w/ Kate Stone

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Go Ivy or Go Free Podcast! In this episode, host Andreas Stamatakis sits down with former Princeton Teaching Fellow and elite admissions expert Kate Stone to uncover why checking all the traditional boxes is no longer enough to get into top-tier universities. If you think a perfect GPA, AP classes, and generic volunteer hours will guarantee your spot in the Ivy League, you need to hear this conversation. Andreas and Kate break down exactly why top colleges routinely reject "perfect" valedictorians and what you actually need to do to stand out. Drawing on her background in creative writing and years of mentoring high-achieving teens, Kate explains the critical difference between being well-rounded and building a "spike"—a deep expertise and cohesive narrative that admissions officers actually care about. They discuss the power of authentic passion projects, cultivating a personal board of advisors, and why real-world skills are the ultimate differentiators. Andreas brings his formulaic, first-principles perspective, and together, they debunk the biggest myths about extracurriculars and essay writing. Expect a hard-hitting, contrarian conversation that will completely change how you approach your college prep. 🎙️ About Our Guest: Kate Stone Kate Stone is an elite college admissions consultant, essay coach, and the founder of Kate Stone Prep (University Gurus). With a degree from NYU and experience as a Princeton University Teaching Fellow in Asia, Kate transforms her passion for storytelling into actionable admissions strategies. She goes beyond basic prep, mentoring students to build high-impact passion projects, develop unshakeable confidence, and craft compelling narratives. Her holistic approach has helped countless students secure acceptances to Harvard, Yale, and Stanford by teaching them to live their best stories, not just write them. 🎙️ About Your Host: Andreas Stamatakis Widely considered the #1 Ivy Admissions Advisor on Earth, Andreas Stamatakis has spent over a decade advising on elite college admissions and built a social media empire dedicated to democratizing elite admissions advice for free. Andreas started his consulting practice at just 18 years old after making the ultimate strategic move: turning down multiple Ivy League acceptances for a full-ride scholarship to Stony Brook University. Holding degrees in Physics, Pure Math, and Applied Math, he brings a first-principles approach to the admissions process, debunking myths using hard facts and contrarian strategies that have helped thousands of students get accepted. 🔗 Connect with Us!Follow Kate Stone: Website & Newsletter: https://universitygurus.com/ [https://universitygurus.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katestoneprep/ [https://www.instagram.com/katestoneprep/] Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGMQQLHhHFSqObgFig3iODg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGMQQLHhHFSqObgFig3iODg] Follow Andreas Stamatakis & The Ivy League Roadmap: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivy_roadmap/ [https://www.instagram.com/ivy_roadmap/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ivy_roadmap [https://www.tiktok.com/@ivy_roadmap] Website & Consulting: https://ivyroadmap.org/ [https://ivyroadmap.org/]Book: The Ivy League Roadmap (Available on Amazon): https://a.co/d/0bhf10mC [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkNfZWpiQ1hTbUI4NXZJMnhxYmxyT3BFakdLd3xBQ3Jtc0tuUnY2MGNOVmpNUFZ6RklPSWppQl9NVXlnUU0xQzlhenhPTVBoSHpyOTk5eHlLbU01NVlnNlFIMmNSUE1XOTFrN3lSZUFvbGcxcTVYeFlTTFVwb1prdVZpVjlBZFJ4cVE4UUtiMEgzWFZUUlcxd2g5TQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fa.co%2Fd%2F0bhf10mC&v=9nMpn5GrPvI]