Our Manifesto
Every year, a handful of students don’t just “get lucky”.
Instead, they break down the system piece by piece, leave nothing to chance, and blow their peers out of the water. After the admissions cycle, it immediately becomes clear that they understood something for the past four years that others didn't.
It isn’t a fluke, nor is it raw talent. It’s strategy.
Most college counselors tell students what to do: get good grades, start a passion project, do research, apply to summer programs, do well on the SAT, tour colleges, take AP classes, join clubs, start a nonprofit…
And we hate to be the bearers of bad news, but
Nancy who graduated 30 years ago with a B.A. in nonfiction writing doesn’t have any better of an idea on how to become a high school superstar than you do.
Sound ineffective? It does to us, too.
That's why IvyLine exists.
P.S. most of the information that traditional counselors give can be found on the Internet by now.
Our mission is simple: to work alongside students as their mentors, friends, and advisors as a means of maximizing their chances of achieving their goals.
01
Matchmaking.
Expect advising from counselors who have been through the system and understand how high school students work & think.
02
Covering the Basics.
Expect our team to ensure that the essential boxes are ticked: outstanding academics, competitive test scores, and strong leadership positions.
03
Impact & Scale.
Expect passion projects, volunteer opportunities, and leadership positions that align with students’ genuine interests and passions.
04
Applying.
Don’t expect us to tell you “you’ve done the work; just put pen to paper”. Expect strategy sessions, intentionally crafted college lists, and optimized essays.
Testimonials
From ideas to style, [IvyLine's] edits are deep and thoughtful; IvyLine Consulting has transformed my application in a short span of 3 months. Beyond the technical aspects of the admissions process, IvyLine makes sure that the student is organized and well-prepared, scheduling video calls and making tentative deadlines for students to meet. For students looking for specific, insightful advice as well as a personal counselor to match their needs, IvyLine has it all.
- Ishaan G. | UPenn Class of 2029
The effect that IvyLine had on our family was near-immediate; they instantly understood my student's situation and recommended competitive programs for his junior summer which he was accepted into with their help. We recently started working with their team on my student's college essays, and have received advice that has clarified the application process by leaps and bounds. It's evident that IvyLine's team is made up of stellar students who understand this process on a deep level.
- Parent | Los Angeles, CA
I had many intro calls with other college consulting companies, but almost all of them immediately started changing my essay topic and dictating where I should apply. IvyLine, on the other hand, worked closely with me to take my unique ideas to the next level. They guided me on which colleges would fit my interests, and encouraged me to take risks which ended up working great when I was accepted to my EA school, MIT!
- AM | MIT Class of 2029
We definitely recommend that other parents work with IvyLine. After just a few sessions, we saw how much value they added to the college application process. Their feedback on essays was specific, detailed, and actionable, helping our child improve significantly. They were also incredibly flexible and available to meet, even on short notice, which made the entire process much smoother and less stressful for our family. Highly recommend working with these four talented students!
- Parent | New Jersey, USA
Founding Team
Sam is a student at Harvard, and was a nationally ranked competitive debater. During high school, he was a member of the National Speech and Debate Association Student Leadership Council, representing the youth voice for more than 50,000 members. He also co-founded Outreach Debate, an international debate nonprofit with more than 1,000+ members. He regularly researched and advocated for safe AI policy. Sam is a Coolidge Scholarship Finalist, an Elks Most Valuable Student, NHS Scholarship recipient, a recepient of the Chancellor's scholarship at Vanderbilt, and recognized nationally for his work in Classics research and debate accessibility.
Sam Chen
A team that cracked the code for:
and dozens more.
Take Initiative.
We get our hands dirty, go to bat for our students, and are with them every step of the way.
Provide Clarity.
Knowledge is half the battle. We help students approach college admissions with confidence.
Apply Expertise.
We teach students not just what to do, but also how to achieve results.
Foster Mentorship.
We form genuine bonds and friendships with students that endure past the application cycle.
