Dr. Katherine Cohen (known as “Dr. Kat” to her students) is one of the leading independent college admissions counselors in the country. Cohen is the founder and CEO of IvyWise, a decade old comprehensive educational admissions consulting company, and ApplyWise, the first online college admissions counseling program. ApplyWise helps level the playing field, providing online expert advice and organizational tools to families who would not otherwise have access to a private counselor.

Named a “SuperStar” counselor in the September 2007 issue of Money Magazine, Cohen is the best-selling author of The Truth About Getting In (Hyperion, 2002) and Rock Hard Apps (Hyperion, 2003). Cohen graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University. She continued her studies at Yale University, receiving two Masters degrees and a PhD. She also received her certificate in College Admission Counseling from U.C.L.A. Extension. Prior to founding IvyWise, Cohen gained valuable experience as an intern college counselor at Palisades Charter High School. She has also served as a Reader in the Yale University Office of Admissions, evaluating applications to Yale College.

Cohen is a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC), the Independent Educational Counseling Association (IECA) and the Western Association of College Admissions Counselors (WACAC). She has also chaired the Brown University Alumni Schools Committee, acting as an interviewer for Manhattan area, and is currently a member of the advisory board of the Brown Entrepreneurs Program.

Cohen is a sought-after speaker and expert on college admissions. She is a faculty resource for YPO (Young Presidents Organization) and speaks frequently to groups of parents and students about the college admissions process. Cohen is routinely quoted in the national media, appearing on CNN, ABC News, Fox News, CBS News, The Today Show, MTV, Bloomberg.com, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and People Magazine.

Blog Entries by Kat Cohen

What Palin and Obama Have in Common: The Truth About Finding the Right College the First Time

5 Comments | Posted October 20, 2008 | 02:14 PM (EST)


Did you know Governor Palin attended five colleges in six years (one of them twice)? Did you know that Senator Obama started his college career at Occidental College in Los Angeles before transferring to Columbia University? It might surprise you that they are both transfer students. Yet, their experience is...

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The Truth About Cheating Your Way to Standardized Test Success

1 Comments | Posted October 9, 2008 | 12:11 PM (EST)


Is it true that "cheaters never prosper" or "cheaters never win"? The L.A Times's recent piece, aptly titled "Cheating on ACT, SAT college entrance exams has few consequences," made me question this adage. The July 14th article exposed one of the standardized testing world's often undisclosed realities and, although...

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Recession Special - The Truth About Affording The Rising Cost of College (Part I)

Posted June 20, 2008 | 04:23 PM (EST)


Although I admit I'm not a financial aid expert, I am an expert in college admissions, which essentially means that I'm adept at guiding students and parents through the increasingly complex (and costly) college admissions process. Before you can even begin to consider the "will my child get in to...

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Recession Special- The Truth About Affording The Rising Cost of College (Part II)

Posted June 20, 2008 | 12:31 PM (EST)


So, what will college ultimately cost? You must make yourself aware of even the smallest expenditures (which, when combined, make for one very large expenditure) in order to begin budgeting. Hopefully, this blog will leave you well informed, well prepared to budget in advance, and equipped with some solutions to...

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The Truth About Summer Work for College Bound Teens

Posted May 30, 2008 | 06:09 PM (EST)


I'm in a state of shock, dumbfounded actually. Is CNN really encouraging students to lifeguard for the summer? Become an amusement park attendant? Babysit? Obviously, their recent article detailing this year's "Top 10 Summer Jobs" is directed at the onslaught of full-time students soon to be hitting the increasingly hot...

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The Truth About Getting In....Off the Elusive Ivy League Wait List

Posted May 13, 2008 | 03:01 PM (EST)


In early April, some of the most intelligent, well-accomplished and confident high school seniors were placed in college admissions purgatory: they had received a cryptic waitlist letter from the Ivy League school of their choice. For the next several weeks, they lived in college admissions limbo -- would they get...

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