APPLY BY MAY 22ND
What You Need to Know
USA COHORT
Parent Orientation: May 12th at 12:00PM CST
Tuesday Classes: 11:00 AM CST (90 min — lecture)
Thursday Classes: 11:00 AM CST (60 min — guest speaker keynote)
INDIA COHORT
Parent Orientation: May 16th at 9:00AM IST
Saturday + Sunday Classes: 9:00AM IST
Thursday Guest Speaker Sessions: 9:30PM IST (shared with both cohorts)
AI DONE RIGHT FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
AI is a research tool. A thinking partner.
Students will build a complete admissions portfolio through personal identity projects that reflect who they are. Throughout the program, students will learn to use AI as a tool while ensuring their work (and their voice) remains entirely their own.
Career Clarity Track
The career clarity sequence runs across the first five weeks and produces outputs that most students don't get until their second year of university. You leave knowing which careers fit your personality type, what they actually pay, and which universities offer the best pathway to your specific goals.
AI Literacy Track
These 6 AI concepts are not taught as a separate module. Each module is taught at the precise moment it becomes directly applicable, so students learn AI by doing, for a real purpose. By Week 9, every student holds an AI Literacy Portfolio documenting all six concepts.
A credential for university applications and future employers.
Step 1 - Week 1
Holland Code Assessment
Identify your work personality type (RIASEC) and the career environments where you'll genuinely thrive! Not just the ones that sound impressive on a CV.
Step 2 - Weeks 2-3
Career Research in Airtable
Create a structured database of six career paths aligned with your Holland Code, including projected salaries at 5, 10, and 15 years, along with a skills gap analysis identifying what you need to develop.
Step 3 - Week 3
Weighted University Rubric
Score 8+ universities against 8 criteria you define (program quality, tuition, cost of living, work rights, placement) weighted by what matters to your family, not swayed by the news or trends.
Step 4 - Weeks 7-8
Admissions Strategy Roadmap
A written roadmap: your top 6 schools, your application strategy for each, and a timeline accounting for every deadline.
Week 1: Foundation
AI Ethics + Responsible Use
Before touching any tool: what AI is, what it isn't, and the ethical responsibilities that come with using it.
Attribution, accountability, and augmentation. Three principles applied throughout every subsequent week.
Week 2: LLMs
Large Language Models
How LLMs work, why they generate plausible-sounding text that is sometimes wrong, and how to use ChatGPT effectively for career research without outsourcing judgment to a prediction engine.
Week 3: RAG
Retrieval-Augmented Generation
The technique that makes AI reliable for research: retrieve from verified sources, then generate grounded in those sources. When to trust AI output and when to be skeptical.
Week 4: Prompt Engineering
The FARMEN Framework
A structured methodology for writing prompts that produce consistent, high-quality outputs: Frame, Assign, Request, Map, Evaluate, Note Sources. Applied immediately to university research and personal statement drafting.
Week 5: Data Analysis
AI-Assisted Data Analysis
Using AI to interpret salary trajectories, job market data, and gap analysis. How to prompt for structured data extraction, validate outputs against known benchmarks, and build tables that survive scrutiny.
Week 6: No-Code AI
No-Code Automation & Agentic AI
Build two live workflows using Make.com that automate repetitive admissions tasks such as deadline tracking, document organization, and follow-up reminders. Introduction to agentic AI systems that chain decisions without manual input.
Guest Speakers
Speakers will lead panels about respective topics every week. Here is the lineup:
02 Dr. Prem Singh
JIPMER/AIIMS-Trained Physician + IIM Ahmedabad Alumnus
05 Nidhi Sharma
Indian Revenue Service Officer. Consults Across
Government Institutions.
More To Come!
Speakers are still being confirmed. Stay tuned for updates!
What Students Will Build
Over 9 weeks, students will create quite the repertoire of deliverables to show colleges.
.png)
Admissions Tech Stack
-
Airtable Career Database
-
Prompt Portfolio
-
Weighted School Dashboard
-
Two Make.com Automations
-
60-Second Video Reel
-
Draft Personal Statement
-
Coltie Profile Page
The 9-Week Quest
At the end of 9 weeks, your child graduates with a complete Personal Admissions Tech Stack, which are 7 portfolio items that prove they are ready for a global university, built in their own voice.
Week 1: Orientation, AI Ethics & Career Identity
What AI is and isn't, and why authentic self-knowledge cannot be outsourced to it. Led by Dr. Anuj Sharma Holland Code Assessment Work Values Card Sort Coltie Profile Setup
Week 2: LLMs + Career Research
Use AI to research 6 career trajectories matched to your Holland Code. Build Airtable 1: job titles, salary ranges at 5/10/15 years, required degrees, and skills gap analysis.
Week 3: RAG + University Research
Retrieval-Augmented Generation mini-lecture. Use Perplexity to build university database: 8-factor weighted rubric scored for 8+ institutions.
Week 4: Prompt Engineering + FARMEN Framework
Use the FARMEN framework: Frame, Assign, Request, Map, Evaluate, Note Sources. Build your Prompt Portfolio! 10+ documented prompts used across career and university research tasks.
Week 5: AI Data Analysis & School Dashboard
Finalize your weighted university rubric. Build Airtable School Dashboard: all 8+ universities ranked by your criteria. AI-assisted salary modelling against career gap analysis.
Week 6: No-Code Automation
Build two Make.com workflows automating admissions tracking tasks. Introduction to agentic AI. Dr. Matthew Rizzo keynote: AI in high-stakes clinical decision-making.
Week 7: Admissions Strategy
Finalize top 6 school list and application strategy for each. Begin personal statement draft: identify core narrative, evidence, and unique angle. Pecha Kucha panel: Industry practitioners on what employers actually value.
Week 8: Personal Statement & Video Reel
Personal statement revision and refinement. Record your 60-second COLTIE video reel. Dr. Milind Naphade keynote: Computer vision and the future of AI in industry.
Week 9: Capstone Demo Day
Present your complete Admissions Tech Stack to peers, instructors, and community. Receive AI Literacy Portfolio credential. Dr. Suresh Venkatasubramanian keynote: algorithmic fairness and responsible AI.
What Tools You'll Learn
This will include:
-
AI-Assisted Task Automation Systems
-
Prompt Engineering
-
AI-Assisted Research
-
Personal Positioning Toolkit
-
LLMs, RAG, No-Code Automation
The 9-Week Quest
At the end of 9 weeks, your child graduates with a complete Personal Admissions Tech Stack, which are 7 portfolio items that prove they are ready for a global university, built in their own voice.
Week 1: Orientation, AI Ethics & Career Identity
What AI is and isn't, and why authentic self-knowledge cannot be outsourced to it. Led by Dr. Anuj Sharma
-
Holland Code Assessment
-
Work Values Card Sort
-
Coltie Profile Setup
Week 5: AI Data Analysis & School Dashboard
Finalize your weighted university rubric.
Build Airtable School Dashboard: all 8+ universities ranked by your criteria.
AI-assisted salary modelling against career gap analysis.
Week 2: LLMs + Career Research
Use AI to research 6 career trajectories matched to your Holland Code.
Build Airtable 1: job titles, salary ranges at 5/10/15 years, required degrees, and skills gap analysis.
Week 6: No-Code Automation
Build two Make.com workflows automating admissions tracking tasks.
Introduction to agentic AI.
Dr. Baskar G keynote: AI impact in various fields including engineering and agriculture.
Week 3: RAG + University Research
Retrieval-Augmented Generation mini-lecture.
Use AI tools to build university database: 8-factor weighted rubric scored for 8+ institutions.
Week 7: Admissions Strategy
Finalize top 6 school list and application strategy for each.
Begin personal statement draft: identify core narrative, evidence, and unique angle.
Pecha Kucha panel: Industry practitioners on what employers actually value.
Week 4: Prompt Engineering + FARMEN Framework
Use the FARMEN framework: Frame, Assign, Request, Map, Evaluate, Note Sources.
Build your Prompt Portfolio! 10+ documented prompts used across career and university research tasks.
Week 8: Personal Statement & Video Reel
Personal statement revision and refinement.
Record your 60-second COLTIE video reel.
Dr. Milind Naphade keynote: Computer vision and the future of AI in industry.
Week 9: Capstone Demo Day
Present your complete Admissions Tech Stack to peers, instructors, and community.
Receive AI Literacy Portfolio credential.
Dr. Suresh Venkatasubramanian keynote: algorithmic fairness and responsible AI.
The 9-Week Quest
At the end of 9 weeks, your child graduates with a complete Personal Admissions Tech Stack, which are 7 portfolio items that prove they are ready for a global university, built in their own voice.
Week 1: Orientation, AI Ethics & Career Identity
What AI is and isn't, and why authentic self-knowledge cannot be outsourced to it. Led by Dr. Anuj Sharma Holland Code Assessment Work Values Card Sort Coltie Profile Setup
Week 2: LLMs + Career Research
Use AI to research 6 career trajectories matched to your Holland Code. Build Airtable 1: job titles, salary ranges at 5/10/15 years, required degrees, and skills gap analysis.
Week 3: RAG + University Research
Retrieval-Augmented Generation mini-lecture. Use Perplexity to build university database: 8-factor weighted rubric scored for 8+ institutions.
Week 4: Prompt Engineering + FARMEN Framework
Use the FARMEN framework: Frame, Assign, Request, Map, Evaluate, Note Sources. Build your Prompt Portfolio! 10+ documented prompts used across career and university research tasks.
Week 5: AI Data Analysis & School Dashboard
Finalize your weighted university rubric. Build Airtable School Dashboard: all 8+ universities ranked by your criteria. AI-assisted salary modelling against career gap analysis.
Week 6: No-Code Automation
Build two Make.com workflows automating admissions tracking tasks. Introduction to agentic AI. Dr. Matthew Rizzo keynote: AI in high-stakes clinical decision-making.
Week 7: Admissions Strategy
Finalize top 6 school list and application strategy for each. Begin personal statement draft: identify core narrative, evidence, and unique angle. Pecha Kucha panel: Industry practitioners on what employers actually value.
Week 8: Personal Statement & Video Reel
Personal statement revision and refinement. Record your 60-second COLTIE video reel. Dr. Milind Naphade keynote: Computer vision and the future of AI in industry.
Week 9: Capstone Demo Day
Present your complete Admissions Tech Stack to peers, instructors, and community. Receive AI Literacy Portfolio credential. Dr. Suresh Venkatasubramanian keynote: algorithmic fairness and responsible AI.
Your Built-In Community
Every Grow student gets free access to the Coltie app. This is a private cohort space where you join peers going through the same process at the same time. This community is projected to be a space that you and others can collaborate, network, and get ahead on your various career paths.
Who Grow Is For
Highschool Students ages 15-18
Actively planning global applications for 26'-27'. And for AI-curious students. No coding required, hust thoughtful engagement.
Students Preparing for Universities in...
US, UK, Canada, or Singapore universities. Any curriculum welcome. CBSE, ICSE, IB, Cambridge are all accepted.
Families Who Want a Process
Data-backed decisions, not a school ranking list. Students apply with a 5-component profile. Decisions issued within 72 hours.
Instructors
Grow is led by people who work with AI every day. The curriculum reflects what genuine AI literacy actually looks like in a research lab.
Anuj Sharma
Founder + Program Director
Anuj is the Pitt-Des Moines Inc. Professor of Civil Engineering at Iowa State University and founder of Coltie.
He holds a PhD in Transportation Engineering from Purdue University and has an H-index of 40, 150+ publications and proceedings, 3 patents, and over $29M in sponsored research.
He reviews all submitted reports to ensure the research direction is sound and holds multiple bookable office hour slots each week in which students can reserve time directly through the program portal whenever they need guidance.
.jpg)
Sanjeda (Zeba) Akter
Data Science Instructor & Primary DS Support
Zeba is an MS student in Artificial Intelligence at Iowa State University (graduating May 2026), with a BS in Computer Science & Engineering from BRAC University (Highest Distinction, 3.81/4.00).
She has co-authored publications at ECAI 2025, EMNLP 2025, CVPR 2026, IEEE ITS Transactions, and ACL 2026, with research spanning agentic AI systems, trustworthy machine learning, and LLMs for transportation and computer vision.
She leads all dedicated DS support for Immersion! Weekly Tuesday sessions, hands-on technical guidance, and write-up review throughout the 9 weeks. Students working through technical blocks or struggling with their report sections work directly with Zeba.
Subhankar Pattanayak
AI Strategist + Transformation Leader
Armed with over 100 certifications in AI and Data Science, he serves as an AI Consultant to the Bid Management team at SAP, he drives enterprise-level innovation while remaining deeply hands-on with the latest tech.
He is the voice behind TechSambad, a daily newsletter and vlog breaking down the fast-paced world of AI. With a passion for mentorship, Subhankar focuses on showing students the real-world applications of AI and how to navigate modern software development.
For Parents
Every university admissions office in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore now has AI-detection tools. Applications with AI-drafted personal statements are increasingly flagged or rejected outright.
Your child deserves to stand out quickly, not be passed up quickly.
Parent Orientation will be on May 12th at 12pmCST. A 60-minute orientation for all accepted students and their parents a week before the program starts. Parents who attend are significantly less likely to request refunds.
The Ultimate Skill-Builder for Your Student
In 8 Weeks, your child will jumpstart their future career, creating...
Personal Web Portfolio
AI Prompt Portfolio
College Fit Dashboard
60-Second Video Introduction
Ethical AI Usage Framework
Draft Personal Statement (SOP)
Admissions Strategy Roadmap.
For Parents
Every university admissions office in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore now has AI-detection tools. Applications with AI-drafted personal statements are increasingly flagged or rejected outright.
Your child deserves to stand out quickly, not be passed up quickly.
Parent Orientation will be on May 12th at 12pmCST. A 60-minute orientation for all accepted students and their parents a week before the program starts. Parents who attend are significantly less likely to request refunds.
USA Cohort Tuition
$500
per student | 9 weeks
9 weeks of live AI-powered instruction
Career clarity track (Holland Code + Airtable)
6-concept AI Literacy Portfolio
FARMEN Prompt Engineering framework
Weighted university evaluation rubric (8+ schools)
Two live Make.com automations
Draft personal statement (reviewed in-class)
60-second Coltie video reel
5 named Thursday keynote speakers
Private cohort community on Coltie app
Permanent public Coltie profile URL
India Cohort Tuition
₹7,500
per student | 5 weeks
2 Instruction Sessions Weekly (w/ US cohort)
Guest Speaker Session Weekly (w/ US cohort)
5 weeks of live AI-powered instruction
Career clarity track (Holland Code + Airtable)
6-concept AI Literacy Portfolio
FARMEN Prompt Engineering framework
Weighted university evaluation rubric (8+ schools)
Two live Make.com automations
Draft personal statement (reviewed in-class)
60-second Coltie video reel
5 named Thursday keynote speakers
Private cohort community on Coltie app
Permanent public Coltie profile URL