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The whole college application process is overwhelming, and that’s why so many families turn to private counseling. With my background in admissions consulting, I wanted to take a closer look at one of the most well-known names in the industry: IvyWise. They’ve been around for more than two decades, but here’s the real question: Is IvyWise worth it?
In this review, I will begin by outlining the main pros and cons of Ivy Wise’s services. This will be followed by a more in-depth analysis of their offerings, pricing, team, and more.
So, let’s begin. 🤓
Pros and Cons of Ivy Wise’s College Admission Consulting Service
| ✔️ PROS | ❌ CONS |
|---|---|
| IvyWise comprises a team of former deans, directors, and ex-admissions officers. They review your materials together, giving multi-reader feedback before submission. | IvyWise’s services are among the most expensive in the industry, which may be prohibitive for many families. |
| Long-term counseling across academics, testing, activities, essays, and specialized tracks. | Because counselors work with a limited number of students, availability and scheduling flexibility may be constrained. |
| IvyWise.com reports that 98% of their students get into at least one “best-fit” school and claim students are 5x more likely to enter top schools compared to the average applicant. | The success metrics come from IvyWise itself and aren’t independently verified. |
In short, if you want polish and steady hand-holding, IvyWise will keep you organized. But in my opinion, the substance-to-price ratio can feel thin.
The whole system at Ivy Wise seems built for early-bird, already-strong students who’ll do the homework. And if you’re expecting guarantees, discount rates, or some secret path into selective schools, you’ll be disappointed.
Now that we’ve talked about the big picture, let’s get into more detail about what IvyWise has to offer.
What Are the Main Admission Consulting Services of IvyWise?
IvyWise is a New York-based educational consulting firm that specializes in helping students with their college applications.
They offer full support with college applications, with a focus on getting started early. Their strategy, which includes everything from essay writing to academic planning, aims to create a profile that feels authentic and competitive.
8th Grade Foundations
IvyWise actually begins working with some students in middle school. At this stage, counselors focus on choosing the right 9th grade courses and laying down an academic track that will last all four years.
In theory, this lowers stress later because the groundwork is already done. In practice, not every 13- or 14-year-old is ready for that kind of planning.
Building Your Story in 9th and 10th Grade
Freshman and sophomore years are about figuring out who you are and what you want to show colleges.
IvyWise helps students sort through extracurriculars and interests, encouraging them to pick things that feel real instead of stacking up random activities. Admissions officers look for authenticity, and IvyWise leans hard into this idea of “telling your story.”
Heavy Lifting in Junior Year
By 11th grade, sessions get more intense. Counselors help with SAT/ACT strategies, researching colleges, and starting to shape a smart list of reach, match, and safety schools.
Compared to students who start late, IvyWise kids usually enter senior year much more prepared.
12th Grade: Applications in Motion
Senior year is when everything comes together. Ivy Wise works on essays, supplements, and interview prep, with frequent sessions that sometimes happen daily.
Also, their Roundtable, where former admissions officers critique applications, is a big selling point.
For students starting late, they also offer fast-track boot camps, portfolio reviews, and even advice for deferrals and waitlists.
Unlimited College Admissions Counseling
For families who want the most, IvyWise sells an Unlimited package. This means no hourly caps, so you can meet your counselor as often as you wish.
While that level of attention might sound reassuring, in my opinion, it’s also where costs skyrocket.
What’s Included in IvyWise Packages?
From what I’ve seen, the comprehensive packages usually include:
- A customized admissions plan (courses, testing timeline, major/interest positioning).
- Project management with milestones, draft cycles, and reviewer feedback.
- Essay support on personal statements and school-specific supplements.
- Interview practice and final checks before you hit submit.
- Access to the Roundtable for multi-reader feedback.
Their packages are customizable according to your goals and needs. IvyWise.com offers a variety of programs, from long-term college counseling services to short-term senior programs with access to expert college application advice.
Like A-List Education, they also offer specific services like the Ivy Wise Application Boot Camp, Portfolio Review, and Development/Philanthropic Giving.
Now, here’s where it gets tricky. While the services sound heavily personalized, in my opinion, the “customization” often feels more like shifting the price tag than truly adapting to a student’s individuality.
And of course, these packages are expensive. Realistically, IvyWise is out of reach for most families, which makes it hard to recommend them.
Who Is on the IvyWise Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
As I know, the bench is deep: former admissions officers, veteran counselors, and specialists in testing and writing.
The founder of IvyWise, Dr. Kat Cohen, has been in the space since the late ’90s. That background shows up in the tactical stuff (how a college might read your file, where to trim an activities list, which majors are capacity-limited).
However, this experience is only helpful if the student’s main counselor sets a clear voice standard so the application still sounds like a real 17-year-old.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Yes, on top of the basics, IvyWise.com covers more specific needs:
- They’ll mentor students on independent projects.
- Help with executive functioning skills (like time management).
- Review art portfolios.
- Advise athletes and international students.
Also, if a student ends up waitlisted or deferred, IvyWise steps in with strategies for follow-up letters and supplemental materials to improve their chances.
While these services can be helpful in specific situations, they’re also part of what makes IvyWise expensive. In my opinion, families should weigh carefully whether these extras are truly necessary.
Do They Have Any FREE Services?
IvyWise.com publishes some free resources (blogs, webinars, guides, and a podcast). While these can be informative, they’re very surface-level compared to what you’d need for serious admissions prep. As I know from general practice, free resources are often just a way to funnel you toward expensive programs.
What’s good is that they run a pro bono Scholars program for select high-achieving, low-income students. If you’re budget-conscious, start with those resources to get a feel for their approach.
IvyWise Pricing
IvyWise doesn’t post a price list on its site. Instead, families are asked to book a free Discovery Call, followed by a paid Initial Consultation.
After that, packages are customized, which sounds nice, but in practice, it also means you won’t know the real cost until you’re already in the sales process. 🧐
Nevertheless, I managed to find out something about their prices from Town & Country:
- Comprehensive programs (with Roundtable): Start around $14,000; multi-year guidance can reach $50,000.
- Tutoring add-ons: $300–$600 per hour. Heavy tutoring users reported totals over $100,000.
These prices sounded crazy to me, so I decided to test it out and sent IvyWise a sample query. For a pretty basic request, they came back with a quote of $440 an hour.
In addition, they told me my case required a top counselor, even though I wasn’t asking about Ivy League targeting or niche consulting. Honestly, that didn’t make much sense to me.
To be fair, the consultant they suggested seemed knowledgeable. But paying that much for a very general request felt over the top. It’s actually more expensive than niche programs like BeMo, which specialize in medical school consulting, and my case wasn’t anywhere near that complex.
So, IvyWise offers quality, but the cost is steep, even compared to other premium firms.
It’s a very high price, even higher than niche law college consulting by Admit Advantage, especially when we talk about SUPER GENERAL requests, like the one I did.
IvyWise Guarantees
IvyWise doesn’t actually guarantee anything. What they do say is that 98% of their students get into at least one of their “best-fit” schools, and that their clients are 5x more likely to get into top colleges than the average applicant.
Those numbers sound impressive, but they’re not a promise.
In reality, IvyWise can definitely help make your application stronger and give you more confidence. But if you’re expecting a guaranteed Ivy League acceptance just because you hired them, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. And probably an expensive one too.
Their Professionalism in Terms of IvyWise Reviews Available Online
IvyWise reviews remind me a lot of Admission Science: pretty mixed overall. Some people love them, others aren’t impressed.
‼️ Also, one thing that stood out to me while checking IvyWise on Trustpilot is how generic most of the reviews sound.
A lot of them read more like polished testimonials than honest, detailed feedback from parents or students. They’re positive, but very surface-level.
For example, here’s one I found:
Now, compare that to Reddit, where people tend to be much more blunt. For example, one student wrote:
“I know they are almost never worth their price, but my parents willing to pay.”
At the same time, in another Reddit thread asking about experiences with Ivy Wise, one user suggested being skeptical of services with “Ivy” in the name, implying that you might be paying more for the brand than the actual service.
From my perspective, this mix of polished testimonials and raw, unfiltered posts makes it obvious: IvyWise has its fans, but not everyone is convinced the price tag is worth it.
In addition, IvyWise often points to its A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, but it’s worth noting something important: this rating is not the same as being BBB-accredited. In fact, IvyWise is not BBB-accredited.
Potential clients need to consider these perspectives when deciding whether Ivy Wise is the right fit for them.
Areas of Ivy Wise That They Should Work on
I know this is the part most of you have been waiting for.
Even though I already gave a sneak peek in the pros & cons section, it’s worth laying out the main downsides of IvyWise clearly here.
- Pricing Transparency ⚠️
Costs are not easy to find upfront, which leaves parents guessing until they’re already in talks with the sales team.
- Accessibility ⚠️
Only wealthy families can realistically afford these services, which raises concerns about equity. Unlike the affordable services of Admissionado, their high costs are a significant barrier. The quote of $440 per hour for a counselor, as I experienced in a sample inquiry, is quite steep, especially for general guidance.
- Overmarketing “Success Rates” ⚠️
The claim that students are 5x more likely to get into top schools is vague and not independently verified.
- Upselling Pressure ⚠️
Once you’re in, you’ll likely be encouraged to add more tutoring, more mentoring, and more services.
- Emotional Stress on Students ⚠️
The level of intensity Ivy Wise pushes can sometimes add pressure rather than reduce it.
Our Verdict
Is IvyWise the magic bullet for college admissions? In my opinion, not really. Yes, they have knowledgeable counselors, and yes, some students benefit from their structured approach. But the cost, the pressure, and the marketing spin make me cautious.
From what I know about the field, families can often find equally strong support from smaller, more personal consulting firms (or even from independent tutors) without draining their bank accounts.
So, is IvyWise worth it? If you’re looking for prestige, their counselors will impress you. But if you’re looking for value and balanced guidance, I’d say think twice and compare your options with other college admissions consultants before signing anything.
Highest-Rated Alternatives
| Best College Admission Consulting Firms |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant | Admissionado | BeMo Consulting | Admit Advantage |
| Price Range | $2,050 – $21,050 | $3,397 – $11,397 | $2,050 – $8,930 |
| Admissions Feature | Best for college | Best for med school | Best for law school |
| Rating | 4,8 | 4.4 | 4.1 |
| More info | Visit | Visit | Visit |
I hope this IvyWise review will help you make a decision. As you should remember, the choice is ALWAYS yours!
FAQs
How much does IvyWise cost?
IvyWise doesn’t post prices, but reports show comprehensive packages start around $14,000, and multi-year programs can reach $50,000 or more. Tutoring is usually $300–$600 per hour.
Is IvyWise a reputable company?
Yes. IvyWise has been around for more than two decades, and many of their counselors are former admissions officers from top schools. They’re widely recognized in the industry, though opinions on value for money are mixed.
Can IvyWise.com guarantee acceptance?
No. IvyWise highlights success stats like 98% of their students getting into at least one “best-fit” school, but there are never guarantees when it comes to selective college admissions.
Is IvyWise worth it?
It depends on your situation. Some families swear by the structure and insider insight IvyWise provides. Others feel the cost is so high that the benefits don’t fully justify it. It’s best viewed as a premium option, not a must-have.