Ivy Advisors

Q: Tell me a little bit about the firm. Size, number of full-time or part-time admissions consultants, how long you’ve been in business, and who do you serve?

A: Ivy Advisors has been around for more than 10 years. I first started exploring the idea when I joined the Harvard Business School at the height of the economic recession in 2008. Being an immigrant myself, I found the application process daunting and puzzling. I had been a consultant for three years and was tired of the consultant’s ‘jargon’. I wanted to create a place where we could have straightforward conversations and provide honest guidance to people who need it. This is what we have today, a team of admissions consultants who care about the human beings behind the applications.

Q: What is your firm best known for?

A: Ivy Advisors is best known for helping people attain their highest potential. We challenge our applicants to go for their aspirational school while still keeping realistic expectations. We push our applicants to work hard and help them overcome their challenges.

Q: What makes your firm unique and differentiates you from other firms, large or small?

A: Three things: 1) We are all about straight talk, no sugar coating 2) we focus on providing the best application experience 3) we serve a diverse pool of applicants. We have helped applicants from across demographics and backgrounds. Our applicants have undergraduate GPAs ranging from 2.5 to 4.0, and test scores from the low 500s to the high 700s. We focus on getting to know our applicants for the human being they are and we maximize their potential in the MBA journey.

Q: Do you have a roadmap or formula for the MBA applicant?

A: Yes, we have a decade-long, proven Ivy Advisors methodology that successfully helps applicants navigate their application process. We also have proprietary frameworks and templates that help applicants complete their applications.

Q: Since you opened doors, how many MBA seekers have you helped to gain acceptance? How many successful applicants?

A: For more than 10 years, we have attained a 95% success rate with clients who apply to 4 or more schools, across GPA and GMAT ranges.

Q: How can an applicant tell if your firm is a good fit for them to help them through the application process?

A: We recognize that not everyone is fit for Ivy Advisors. We work with applicants who:

1. Are not afraid of straight talk
2. Want to attain their highest potential
3. Are respectful and ethical human beings

Q: Do you ever refer people to other firms?

A: We do. If we don’t think it’s a good fit, we might tell you why and refer you to other services.

Q: Give us one free tip for applicants:

A: Beware of too many cooks in the kitchen! Your application is uniquely yours and nobody else’s. The end product should reflect who you are, where you come from and where you want to go. However, many well-intentioned people will offer “free advice”. Know that it’s impossible to please all points of view. Pick the ONE direction that resonates with who you truly are.