We help students get accepted to the nation's top colleges.
- Drusilla Blackman, former Dean of Admissions at Harvard University (87’-93’), Columbia University (93’-00’) and New Jersey State University.
- We provide expert advice and step-by-step support families need to successfully navigate the college application process.
- Since 2009, we have helped hundreds of students apply to, and fulfill their dreams of getting accepted into a top college.
Mrs. Blackman was truly an asset to my college application. She helped me improve my essays, figure out which colleges were right for me, and she kept me on track throughout the entire admissions process.
No matter where a student is from, what their grades are, or which school they are applying to, navigating the college application process from start to finish can be a difficult and stressful experience.
Application Positioning™
We will determine which of your achievements will make you stand out in a competitive applicant pool.
Academic Assessment
We will routinely assess academic performance to strengthen your academic profile.
Class Selection
We will help you select classes to emphasize your strengths and overcome any weaknesses.
Testing Presentation
We will guide you on the best presentation of your test scores to your top colleges.
Testing Guidance
We will offer strategies to offset lower test scores.
Activity Recommendations
We will guide you in selecting interesting and unique school-year activities.
Community Engagements
We will develop a custom approach to community service that will be attractive to top colleges.
School Breaks
We will provide advice for how to spend school breaks to maximize your chances of acceptance.
Summer Plans
We will help you to identify, and get accepted to, impressive summer programs that build your profile.
Professional Experience
We will advise you on strategic professional activities that demonstrate your diverse abilities and potential.
College List
We will help you create a list of reach, target, and safety colleges that align with your interests and academic profile.
Main Essay(s)
We will guide you through the process of writing a main essay that is creative, powerful, and will capture the attention of an admissions office.
Supplemental Essays
We will assist with writing college-specific supplemental essays with strong, unique and compelling content.
Essay Transformations
We will offer extensive guidance for writing well-written and captivating student essays of all types.
Honors List
We will provide insights to present your awards, honors, and distinctions in the most meaningful way.
Activity List
We will assist you in selecting and describing your activities to capture the attention of top colleges.
Letters of Recommendation
We will share tools and tips to help you receive strong letters of recommendation.
Teacher Relationships
We will offer advice for developing relationships with the teachers who will write your recommendations.
Interviews
We will provide you with tools, resources, and practice that replicate a real college interview.
Application Guidance
We will ensure that your unique Application Positioning™ is reflected throughout your application.
Application Review
We will review each of your college applications before submission to identify areas for improvement.
Does your college essay and application process need an expert resource? Hire The Ivy DeanTM
Drusilla Blackman, President
Drusilla (Dee) Blackman has had a long and successful career with over 40 years in the field of college admissions. She herself was an Ivy League student, achieving a B.S. from Brown University and a M.A. in psychology from Yale. After spending some time as a therapist, she returned to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania to earn an M.B.A. in marketing.
Dee has worked in every facet of the college admissions process, starting as an admissions counselor and working her way up to a director, dean, and a vice-president of enrollment management. She has a firm grasp of college financial aid, athletic recruitment, and legacy admissions, having supervised the departments responsible for admissions decisions in all of these areas.
When Dee served as Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid at Columbia, she estimates that she read in excess of 15 thousand applications every year. As Dean, she ultimately was responsible for who was admitted, and she understands just what an individual student application must contain for serious consideration by selective colleges.
The breadth of her long experience makes her a highly desirable resource for high school students and their families who have the determination to have a good college fit at the best possible college. With her insider’s understanding, she is able to make what may seem mysterious more predictable and bring what may seem impossible to within reach.
Learn more about her college planning services or get in touch today.
Experience
Columbia University – Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
Harvard University – Dean of Graduate Admissions
New Jersey State University – Dean of Admissions
Institutional Consultant
- Assisted colleges in strengthening the quality of their freshman classes.
Independent College Consultant
- Successfully assists students in gaining admission to the top US college.
- Invited to provide expert opinions on television and in legal proceedings.
Education
Brown University, B.S. in Psychology
Yale University, M.A. in Clinical Psychology
Wharton School of Business (Penn), M.B.A. in Marketing
We are open 7 days a week and welcome calls on weekdays and weekends. We look forward to learning how our admissions experience at schools such as Harvard and Columbia can help you get accepted to any top college.