FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about IvyWise

What is the role of an independent admissions counselor?

An independent admissions counselor can supplement your school counselor’s efforts by providing additional personalized guidance throughout the college admissions process. This can include working with you to develop a balanced college list, helping you create your activity list, preparing you for interviews and college visits, explaining the admissions process to you, and helping you with brainstorming and editing components of the application. At IvyWise, we guide students and their families through every step of the admissions process so that they can identify the schools that will be the best academic and social fits for them, and then we work with each student to help them portray the best and most comprehensive representation of who they are to the admissions committees of their chosen schools. An independent counselor will not contact an admissions office on behalf of the student, nor can an independent counselor get a student admitted. Be wary of anyone who promises to get you into an Ivy League college — no one can guarantee admission and this violates the ethics of the profession.

Where is IvyWise located?

IvyWise is headquartered at 501 Madison Avenue in New York City between 52nd and 53rd Streets. This is where our office staff is located and we welcome families who are in the area to come in and meet with our friendly enrollment team to learn more about IvyWise! We also have representative offices in Dubai, UAE and Shenzhen, China.

I don’t live near an IvyWise location. Can I still use your services?

Absolutely! IvyWise counselors and tutors work virtually with students across the globe to help them achieve their personal and academic goals. Most sessions are conducted remotely via Zoom, and the myIvyWise portal makes it easy for families to keep track of notes, session times, scheduling, and more, no matter where they are in the world. While the nature of our work is remote, our counselors and tutors do travel as needed and are able to meet with students wherever they are. Our headquarters has consultation space available for families who wish to meet with counselors and tutors in New York, and we have dedicated WeWork space at locations across the globe for families who want to conduct certain sessions in-person in addition to their virtual work.

Does IvyWise only help students who want to go to Ivy League schools?

No. We know that each student is different and has unique goals and aspirations. Our focus is to help each student find the schools that will be the best matches for them, where they will be happiest and thrive. Our students received thousands of acceptances to over 350 colleges and universities in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, including all eight Ivy Leagues, Stanford, MIT, the University of Oxford, and Imperial College London.

Do counselors and tutors meet with students on weekends or at night?

While our New York office hours are Monday through Friday, 9AM – 6PM ET, we work with students when it’s most convenient for them! Our services are tailored to meet each individual student’s needs and schedules, meaning our counselors and tutors are often working with students outside of normal business hours. Since our counselors and tutors primarily work virtually with students via Zoom and through the myIvyWise online portal, we can schedule sessions in any time zone on any day of the week. We pride ourselves on our availability and accessibility.

How does IvyWise match counselors and tutors with students?

Each family is welcome to select the counselor or tutor that they want to work with, depending on availability, but we can certainly help! We focus on finding the counselor or tutor that best matches your student’s personality, interests, learning style, schedule, and your family’s budget. Our counselors have limited rosters, so if your preferred counselor is unavailable we will help you select the counselor that can best support your student. Even if your family can’t work directly with a certain counselor, your student will still receive the benefit of their expertise along with the rest of the team through our collaborative counseling approach. Get to know our counselors and tutors by reading their bios, or reach out to our friendly enrollment team at +1-212-262-3500 or [email protected]. We would be happy to help you identify the counselor or tutor who would be a good fit for your student.

Does Dr. Kat work with students?

Yes, Dr. Kat does work with students, however, she takes on only a limited number of students each year and books out many years in advance. Please contact us to inquire about her availability for your student. Regardless of whether Dr. Kat works personally with your student, your child will benefit from her expertise. As an IvyWise student, your student will receive personalized one-on-one guidance from his or her counselor and tutor, and also benefit from the collective knowledge of our entire team, which includes Dr. Cohen.

Do I need to apply to become an IvyWise student?

We welcome the opportunity to work with all students and their families and we work on a first-come, first-serve basis. Our goal is to use our knowledge and experience to make the admissions process a smooth and rewarding one for your family. Our students represent many different academic, extracurricular, and cultural backgrounds. Each student has unique goals and we focus on finding the schools that will be the best academic and social fits for each individual student.

Can I afford IvyWise?

Our students are our number one priority and we strive to customize the best-fit program for your family and your budget. We will work with your family to tailor a program that fits your needs and budget to help your family make the most of the IvyWise experience, and we also offer flexible payment options. IvyWise also offers pro bono services to selected students in 11th and 12th grades. For more information on our pro bono program, please visit our IvyWise Gives Back page.

I would like to schedule an Initial Consultation as soon as possible. How soon can I get an appointment?

Because of the comprehensive nature of the Initial Consultation, we need time to obtain information from you as well as coordinate with our research team in order to ensure the most productive consultation possible. In order to give our counselors ample time to review, we require the materials at least five business days prior to your consultation. You’re welcome to call us at +1-212-262-3500 for specific information about scheduling an Initial Consultation.

I just have a few questions about my student. Can I talk to a counselor without an Initial Consultation?

Admission guidance depends on factors and information unique to your student and their academic and personal history and goals. Therefore, we need to do a thorough review of your student’s history in order to provide advice and accurate and comprehensive answers to questions. Hence, we do not provide advice or guidance without an Initial Consultation. You are welcome to ask your counselor specific questions during the Initial Consultation.

Do you help with admissions to international institutions?

Our IvyWise college counselors specialize in U.S., Canadian, or UK admissions. Our K-12 counselors have knowledge of independent schools around the world, and can provide guidance on the admissions process for K-12 programs internationally and boarding schools.

When should my student start working with IvyWise?

IvyWise programs for college-bound students typically begin in 9th grade. Our comprehensive counseling programs will allow your student to receive guidance prior to the start of the application process, which generally begins in the winter of junior year. We encourage students to start the college preparation process as soon as possible, but we are happy to work with students at any point throughout the process. In addition to our comprehensive counseling programs for high school students, we also offer short-term programs for high school seniors and transfer students.

How many hours of counseling will my student need?

It varies for each student and depends greatly on several factors, including your student’s academic and personal history and their college admissions goals. The first step is setting up an Initial Consultation. Following the Initial Consultation, your counselor will suggest the best program for your student based on their grade, goals, and the amount of guidance they will need. We are happy to customize a program to fit your needs and your budget.

Do you provide admissions statistics for each counselor?

Because of our team approach, our statistics are in aggregate and we don’t track by counselor. Each IvyWise student gets the benefit of our entire team’s expertise, while working one-on-one with their counselor. Regardless of the counselor that your student works with when they apply to college, your student’s college list, resume, and application essays will be reviewed by the entire IvyWise team of expert counselors, including our CEO, Dr. Kat Cohen.

Can you give me the names and phone numbers of families you have worked with so I can talk to them about working with you?

Unfortunately we cannot accommodate this request. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us and our families and we do not release identifying information about our families unless expressly granted. Of course, you can expect the same level of confidentiality as an IvyWise family. We understand that you may want to hear from former families first-hand and we have provided student and parent testimonials on our website for this purpose. We are proud to say that one-third of IvyWise students are referrals from current or former families.

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