IvyWise
Encyclopedia
IvyWise is a for-profit New York-based firm of educational consultant
s that assists students pursuing admission to college. IvyWise counselors also work with students applying to nursery school, elementary school, high school/boarding school, and graduate or professional schools.
IvyWise was founded by in 1998 by Dr. Katherine L. Cohen.
and received two Masters degrees and a Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from Yale University
. Dr. Cohen wrote The Truth About Getting In (Hyperion, 2002) and Rock Hard Apps (Hyperion, 2003). She received certification in College Admission Counseling from U.C.L.A. Extension. Prior to founding IvyWise, she was as an intern college counselor at Palisades Charter High School
and a reader in the Yale University
Office of Admissions. She also taught SAT test prep classes for The Princeton Review
.
Statement of Principles of Good Practice and the Independent Educational Consultants Association
Principles of Good Practice. Dr. Katherine Cohen is a member of both NACAC
and IECA. According to the New York Times, fewer than one of every five admissions consultants can claim to be an association member of IECA.
As early as 2000, the company was working with younger students as part of its IvyWise Kids division, though it is unclear when the division was officially launched.
In early 2002, Dr. Katherine Cohen published a book, "The Truth About Getting In" that guides readers through the college admissions process according to the IvyWise methodology that Dr. Cohen developed. Dr. Katherine Cohen published a second book entitled "Rock Hard Apps: How to Write a Killer College Application" in 2003.
In 2004, the parents of Kaavya Viswanathan
reportedly engaged IvyWise for its assistance in college counseling services. Kaavya Viswanathan
applied to and was accepted at Harvard University
. Viswanathan's novel, projected to be a bestseller by its publisher, described an academically oriented Indian American
girl's efforts to become more "well-rounded" in hopes of boosting her chances of admission to Harvard. Cohen put her in touch with the William Morris Agency
which secured a book and movie deal. The novel was published in 2006. It was later revealed that many of the book's passages had been directly plagiarized from other fiction sources. The furor over this incident inadvertently raised IvyWise's profile and increased the controversy with hiring high-priced consultants, although Cohen never associated herself with Viswanathan's plagiarism.
In 2007, Dr. Cohen launched ApplyWise (see below).
, where parents reportedly feel pressured to get their children into prestigious schools. The New York Times reports, Parents generally have a very skewed perception of the private school world, Mark Sklarow, executive director of the Independent Educational Consultants Association
, a professional association based in Virginia, said. They're convinced that if they don't get into a good nursery school, they're never going to get into the right prep school, they won't get into Harvard, and their life is over.
Within that context, parents can be anxious to secure a spot for their children at private K-12 schools, and even pre-K programs. The article continues, It is no secret that for many Manhattan parents, getting a child into the Ivy League starts in nursery school.
The article continues on to report, "Several parents, however, said they had found the consultants helpful. You only have a fixed number of hours to focus on the school issues, said one parent. [The counselor is] like the CliffsNotes of the process.
Forbes
reports, Not everybody needs an independent counselor, admits IvyWise Chief Executive Katherine Cohen, but it is essential to get some kind of advice. Hundreds of thousands of students are getting little to no counseling.
IvyWise claims to address the issue of unequal educational counseling access by offering a pro bono
service. Katherine Cohen has stated that one out of every seven students that work with IvyWise does so on a pro bono basis.
's "College Prep Advantage" for premium subscribers.
Educational consultant
An educational consultant is an independent consultant who helps parents/students and organizations with educational planning. They are classed as "educational, vocational, and school counselors." Educational Consultants, however, are normally self-employed , while school counselors are employed...
s that assists students pursuing admission to college. IvyWise counselors also work with students applying to nursery school, elementary school, high school/boarding school, and graduate or professional schools.
IvyWise was founded by in 1998 by Dr. Katherine L. Cohen.
Dr. Katherine Cohen
Dr. Katherine L. Cohen graduated magna cum laude from Brown UniversityBrown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
and received two Masters degrees and a Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. Dr. Cohen wrote The Truth About Getting In (Hyperion, 2002) and Rock Hard Apps (Hyperion, 2003). She received certification in College Admission Counseling from U.C.L.A. Extension. Prior to founding IvyWise, she was as an intern college counselor at Palisades Charter High School
Palisades Charter High School
Palisades Charter High School is a secondary school in Los Angeles, California, United States. The public high school serves the neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades, Palisades Highlands, Kenter Canyon and portions of Brentwood...
and a reader in the Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
Office of Admissions. She also taught SAT test prep classes for The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is an American-based standardized test preparation and admissions consulting company. The Princeton Review operates in 41 states and 22 countries across the globe. It offers test preparation for standardized aptitude tests such as the SAT and advice regarding college...
.
Professional Affiliations
All IvyWise counselors adhere to the National Association for College Admission CounselingNational Association for College Admission Counseling
The National Association for College Admission Counseling , founded in 1937, is an organization of more than 11,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students transitioning from secondary to postsecondary education, including professional school counselors, college access...
Statement of Principles of Good Practice and the Independent Educational Consultants Association
Independent Educational Consultants Association
The Independent Educational Consultants Association is a professional organization for educational consultants .The Independent Educational Consultants Association is the international, professional organization representing school and college admission counselors working in private practice...
Principles of Good Practice. Dr. Katherine Cohen is a member of both NACAC
NACAC
NACAC may refer to:*National Association for College Admission Counseling*North America, Central America and the Caribbean in IAAF terms* North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association...
and IECA. According to the New York Times, fewer than one of every five admissions consultants can claim to be an association member of IECA.
History
IvyWise was founded by in 1998 Dr. Katherine L. Cohen. She started the business in her apartment with five thousand dollars.As early as 2000, the company was working with younger students as part of its IvyWise Kids division, though it is unclear when the division was officially launched.
In early 2002, Dr. Katherine Cohen published a book, "The Truth About Getting In" that guides readers through the college admissions process according to the IvyWise methodology that Dr. Cohen developed. Dr. Katherine Cohen published a second book entitled "Rock Hard Apps: How to Write a Killer College Application" in 2003.
In 2004, the parents of Kaavya Viswanathan
Kaavya Viswanathan
How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life is a young adult novel by Kaavya Viswanathan, an Indian-American woman who wrote it just after she graduated from high school. Its 2006 debut was highly publicized, but the book was withdrawn after allegations that portions had been plagiarized...
reportedly engaged IvyWise for its assistance in college counseling services. Kaavya Viswanathan
Kaavya Viswanathan
How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life is a young adult novel by Kaavya Viswanathan, an Indian-American woman who wrote it just after she graduated from high school. Its 2006 debut was highly publicized, but the book was withdrawn after allegations that portions had been plagiarized...
applied to and was accepted at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Viswanathan's novel, projected to be a bestseller by its publisher, described an academically oriented Indian American
Indian American
Indian Americans are Americans whose ancestral roots lie in India. The U.S. Census Bureau popularized the term Asian Indian to avoid confusion with Indigenous peoples of the Americas who are commonly referred to as American Indians.-The term: Indian:...
girl's efforts to become more "well-rounded" in hopes of boosting her chances of admission to Harvard. Cohen put her in touch with the William Morris Agency
William Morris Agency
WME is the largest talent agency in the world, with offices in Beverly Hills, New York City, Nashville, London, and Miami. WME represents elite artists from all facets of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music, theatre, publishing, and physical production...
which secured a book and movie deal. The novel was published in 2006. It was later revealed that many of the book's passages had been directly plagiarized from other fiction sources. The furor over this incident inadvertently raised IvyWise's profile and increased the controversy with hiring high-priced consultants, although Cohen never associated herself with Viswanathan's plagiarism.
In 2007, Dr. Cohen launched ApplyWise (see below).
Controversy Surrounding Independent Counseling
IvyWise is a private educational consulting firm and thus, is often included in news stories about the controversy surrounding the use of private educational consultants and the issue of a level playing field for all students. This issue is compounded by the fact that the company is based in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where parents reportedly feel pressured to get their children into prestigious schools. The New York Times reports, Parents generally have a very skewed perception of the private school world, Mark Sklarow, executive director of the Independent Educational Consultants Association
Independent Educational Consultants Association
The Independent Educational Consultants Association is a professional organization for educational consultants .The Independent Educational Consultants Association is the international, professional organization representing school and college admission counselors working in private practice...
, a professional association based in Virginia, said. They're convinced that if they don't get into a good nursery school, they're never going to get into the right prep school, they won't get into Harvard, and their life is over.
Within that context, parents can be anxious to secure a spot for their children at private K-12 schools, and even pre-K programs. The article continues, It is no secret that for many Manhattan parents, getting a child into the Ivy League starts in nursery school.
The article continues on to report, "Several parents, however, said they had found the consultants helpful. You only have a fixed number of hours to focus on the school issues, said one parent. [The counselor is] like the CliffsNotes of the process.
Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
reports, Not everybody needs an independent counselor, admits IvyWise Chief Executive Katherine Cohen, but it is essential to get some kind of advice. Hundreds of thousands of students are getting little to no counseling.
IvyWise claims to address the issue of unequal educational counseling access by offering a pro bono
Pro bono
Pro bono publico is a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms...
service. Katherine Cohen has stated that one out of every seven students that work with IvyWise does so on a pro bono basis.
ApplyWise
In 2007, Dr. Cohen launched another line of business to address growing concerns of an unequal playing field in college admissions. The result was an online college application guidance program called ApplyWise. The program utilizes the IvyWise methodology developed by Dr. Cohen, and has sessions that take students through the steps of applying to college. ApplyWise is now part of KaplanKaplan
Kapłań is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Klukowo, within Wysokie Mazowieckie County, Podlaskie Voivodeship, in north-eastern Poland.-References:...
's "College Prep Advantage" for premium subscribers.