The Prize Master

About Me

I’m Arvin Vohra, a.k.a. The Prize Master. I help students win awards at school, win national awards, win scholarship contests, get competitive internships, and earn their spot at hyper-selective private schools and colleges.

My Methods

My methods mix the abstract with the pragmatic. I teach students how to subtly use storytelling and mythological archetypes to win contests and prizes. At the same time, I teach simple, practical techniques that students can use to stand out at school, win awards, and ultimately get into Ivies.

Why My Methods Work

My methods weren’t originally built to help 6th graders win awards; they were designed to help 12th graders get into Harvard. Adjusting those extremely powerful, Harvard-admissions techniques gave younger students disproportionately powerful tools.

In the video below, I discuss some of those techniques on Fox. The techniques I teach my own students are considerably more powerful.

▶

Watch the Fox interview

A Few Free Tips

1. Look at revealed preferences, not stated preferences.

   Don’t worry about who an award is supposed to go to. Look at who it actually goes to.

   For example, school prizes that supposedly reward leadership never go to those with any particular social dominance. Instead, they always go to kids with stronger academic skills. If you want a leadership award, start by getting ahead academically.

2. If you appear to be seeking an award, you won’t get it.

   Neither you nor your parents should ever mention or ask about any award at school. Do not ask for the criteria, ask to be nominated, or even use the word “award” at school. Awards only ever go to those who appear not to be seeking them. Students who appear humble always defeat pushy students on awards days.

3. Ask questions during class.

   Curiosity is a rare trait. Teachers almost never see students who are genuinely curious. Thus, demonstrating curiosity through intelligent questions helps you stand out. Students who ask intelligent questions invariably get awards over silent students with higher grades.

   However, don’t ask moronic questions like, “Will this be on the test?” If you want to know if something is going to be on the test, wait, let some other kid ask it, and know that he is now out of the running for any top award or Ivy admission.

4. Apply for everything good.

   The more you compete, the more you win. Apply for every essay contest, tuition-free summer program, and scholarship contest.

5. Don’t apply for anything pointless.

   Pay-for-play, tuition-based summer programs, including Harvard’s, have zero prestige and will not help you get into any college. Instead of applying to a pay-for-play summer program, apply to the elite tuition-free programs, like RSI and TASS, or elite yearlong programs like PRIMES.

My Process

My process is intensive, and combines serious academic work with strategic work. Winning awards, especially at an elite school, is an ongoing, intensive process.

Think of it like working with an Olympic coach. I meet with students 2-3 times a week for serious, intensive work on getting ahead and standing out. This process completely transforms your educational experience. In addition to racking up prestigious awards, you’ll develop real academic and writing skills. For example, your English and history papers will be the best your school has ever seen.

If a full program isn’t financially realistic, you can still participate in my program. All students start with a 6-session crash course on the “Science of Likeability,” in which I show how they can combine their own interests, skills, and passions with storytelling archetypes that create powerful narratives. Those 6 sessions can give motivated students a powerful advantage.

To Get Started

To get started with me, book a free consultation. During the consultation, I’ll ask a few questions about the student, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask me your questions as well.