Searching for Ivy Success:
 An Interview with Katherine Cohen

Author of The Truth About Getting In

As New York magazine said about Katherine Cohen in a recent article:

Kat, as her awestruck proteges call her, is part of a prosperous new breed of private counselors who are helping the children of the rich attain their birthright of getting accepted to the Ivy League college of their choice despite the ever-mounting odds against them. Cohen's "platinum package," which includes 24 sessions and an hour of phone time per week, typically spread over junior and senior year, costs $28,995.  "I sold out already," she tells me, referring to next year's crop of high-school seniors.  "Everybody wanted a platinum package this year.  I've got to clone myself."

College Confidential recently had the opportunity to pose some questions to Katherine about her work as an independent college counselor and other college-related issues.  Be sure to read Dave Berry’s review of The Truth About Getting In here on CollegeConfidential.com.

College Confidential (CC): What’s your opinion of the current level of college guidance being offered in today’s public high schools?  Are private-school counselors any better?  

Katherine Cohen (KC): Not necessarily.  It depends on the individual school and counselor.  The problem with public schools is that they usually cannot afford to have a low student-to-counselor ratio and the counselors usually have many other responsibilities (like monitoring the yard during physical education classes).  This might mean that the individual student does not get a lot of attention.  Also, at most public schools, the first time students hear of the college process is in their junior year, which, I think, is too late.

CC: What percentage of your clients comes from public schools?

KC: I work with students from public schools, private schools, and parochial schools.  My clients come from all over the globe and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.  Every year, the percentage of public-school students changes.  

CC: Are all of your clients seeking the usual suspects: HYPSM et al?

KC: No.  My clients are concerned about finding the schools that are the right matches for them, schools where they ultimately will be both successful and happy.  There are about 3500 colleges and universities in this country.  My job is to help match my students with the right fits for them and explore their options from the vast number of schools out there.  That said, the majority of my clients want very selective colleges.  The colleges my clients get into and attend fall in the top 40 most selective in the country.

CC: How big is IvyWise?  Do you have branch offices with associate counselors?  Where is your headquarters?  Are you “face-to-face” only or do you use the Web?

KC: IvyWise's headquarters is located in Manhattan.  We are currently opening an office in Los Angeles.  We do nursery school through graduate school admissions counseling and we have teams of academic subject tutors and standardized testing tutors.  We also have a Learning Differences specialist, a child psychologist, and an athletics counselor on board.  Most meetings are done in person or over the phone, depending on the location of the client.  Of course, email is fantastic for reading essays, revising brag sheets, and quick questions.  

CC: In your opinion, are little-known, so-called “lower-tier” private colleges worth their price tag, or would most students be better off at their local state university?

KC: This depends on the individual student and his/her needs.  I couldn't respond to this without looking at the individual.

CC: What sort of personal college advising is available for the student whose high school counselor is sadly inadequate but who can't afford the cost of an independent consultant?

KC: One reason I wrote The Truth About Getting In is for this type of student.  For the cost of a book, students can get all of my advice and take the process into their own hands without missing a step.  

CC: Allegedly, Princeton University admissions won¹t speak with independent counselors in regards to applicants.  How do other top colleges view the role of independent counselors?  Are they generally seen as “packaging hucksters,” “handlers,” or as a viable alternative to inexperienced, less-than-savvy, in-school counselors?

KC: It depends on the individual independent counselor and his/her reputation.  I have been lucky enough to speak to many deans and directors of admissions directly, because they know I am ethical and help students through the process so that students are representing themselves authentically and completely.  I have my clients apply only to schools that are great matches for them.  

CC: You¹ve gained high-profile notoriety for your hefty fees.  What packages do you offer and what do they cost?  What separates you from other independent counselors out there?

KC: My fees vary from $0-$28,995.  I do a lot of pro bono work.  In fact, last year, almost half of my entire clientele was completely pro bono.  The higher package price lasts through junior and senior years.  Clients pay for my time.  I can only take on about 20 clients in a given year, so each client gets a lot of attention through the process.  My services are different because of the holistic approach I take to the process.  I really look at everything going on in a student's life and plan everything from courses for four years to summers to outside activities and focus on strengthening whatever weaknesses (academic and personal) may come up.  I also help students nurture their relationships with their teachers, their school counselor, and their mentors/coaches.  I teach them how to start communicating with a college and how to research a school so they can gain a real edge over the competition.  My services are extremely comprehensive--much more so than my competition.  Also, my availability makes me different.  If my client needs me to read essays at 11pm on Thanksgiving night, I will do it.  I am available nights and weekends.  I have to be, because my clients live in all different time zones and have different schedules.

CC: Your book, The Truth About Getting In, has a very impressive, 50-page chapter on application essays.  Obviously, your emphasis indicates your concern about it.  Can an outstanding essay lift one applicant over another who is equally qualified?

KC: Yes.  If you can write well about yourself and your personality and voice shine through your essay, this will make your application come alive for the reader and may tip you in over someone equally as qualified, but boring or impersonal.

CC: Of the special “rounds” of admissions considerations, which carry more weight, offering applicants a real edge: legacy, development cases, athletes, artists, celebrities, etc.?

KC: This depends on the individual and the level of legacy/athlete/development, etc.  A nationally ranked athlete holds more weight than a state ranked athlete.  A $100 million donor holds more weight than a $200,000 donor does.