Hello, this is Kate!
I'll be introducing IvyWise, a well-known college admissions consulting service that helps students navigate the application process for top universities. While I'm still learning about the process myself as an upcoming high school senior, I'll be doing my best on providing you the most accurate information.
IvyWise is a private college counseling company that offers personalized guidance to students applying to college. They're known for having a team of former admissions officers from top schools like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford, and they help students with everything from course planning and extracurricular development to essays and interviews. Their main goal is to help students build strong applications that reflect their unique interests and goals.
IvyWise may be a good fit for students who are aiming for Ivy League or other top-ranked colleges, have complex applications, or need expert-level guidance throughout the entire process. It's especially useful for families who can afford a premium service and want highly detailed, personalized help. On the other hand, students with strong school support or more straightforward college plans might find more affordable options that still meet their needs.
Free IvyWise Scholars Program
For students who can't afford the full price of IvyWise's paid services, the company offers a free program called IvyWise Scholars. I's a pro bono initiative for high-achieving students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. Accepted students receive one-on-one admissions counseling and support throughout the college process, and it is completely free of charge.
To quality for the IvyWise Scholars program, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
Be a high-achieving students (typically in grades 10, 11, or 12—applying as a first-year college student), or a current college student seeking to transfer.
Have a minimum of 3.5 unweighted GPA.
Come from a household earning less than $75,000 per year.
Be a U.S. resident
Compete a preliminary application, submit transcripts, and provide proof of income (e.g., tax returns). Some students may also be invited to submit an essay and video, or participate in an interview.
IvyWise Scholars Pro Bono Counseling: offers free college admissions guidance and tutoring to high-achieving, low-income students.
KnowledgeBase: provides a wealth of information about the college admissions process, covering various topics like choosing a college, application tips, essay advice, and admissions trends.
Just Admit It! Podcast: offers expert insights and advice from former admissions officers.
Webinars: hosts free webinars featuring admissions experts who discuss various aspects of the college admissions process.
Blog: provides articles and guides on various college prep topics, including building college lists, understanding admissions statistics, and more.
Comprehensive College Admissions Counseling Programs: offer individualized guidance from IbyWise counselors, including help with crafting standout profiles, bespoke application assistance, and unlimited access to resources like Roundtable.
Test Prep and Tutoring: provides tutoring services that can be integrated with their counseling programs to help students strength their academic profiles and standardized test scores.
WiseStart™ and Academic Advising: specialized services offer personalized guidance for students starting their college journey early or needing specific academic support.
Admissions Counseling
Test Preparation and Tutoring
Research Mentorship
Additional Service
(Adapted from Best College Admission Consultants)
*THIS IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF OUR OPINIONS. ONLY RESOURCES CITED ONLINE AND THEIR WORDS.*
Benefits
IvyWise employs former admissions officers from top-teir universities, bringing real insider knowledge to the application process.
They offer a highly personalized, strategic approach tailored to each student's background, interests, and goals.
Their "Roundtable" review process mimics an actual admissions committee, giving their students a clear sense of how their applications will be evaluated.
They have a strong success rate, with many students gaining admission to highly selective schools.
Possible Setbacks
Their services may be pricey for some. However, there are plenty of free resources on their page.
Not all students may need this level of intensive support, especially if they're applying to less selective schools.
The program can be high-pressure for students who prefer a more relaxed or flexible approach.
For additional information, check out IvyWise's page: About IvyWise
Work Cited:
Best College Admission Consultants. IvyWise Review. Is it Worth it? - Best College Admission Consultants. Best College Admission Consultants - We Rank the Best College
Admissions Consultants. Published September 26, 2023. https://bestcollegeadmissionconsultants.com/ivywise-review-is-it-worth-it/
IvyWise. Expert College Guidance | IvyWise. IvyWise. Published April 18, 2025. https://www.ivywise.com/