Services for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors

It is never too early to begin preparing for college. Our team of experienced admissions counselors offers college consulting services as early as the 9th grade, to help ensure that the students we work with stand out in a competitive applicant pool. Founded by President Drusilla Blackman, former Dean of Admissions at Harvard University, Columbia University and New Jersey State University, The Ivy Dean is dedicated to providing students with the step-by-step support they need to fulfill their dreams of getting accepted into a top college.

What does this include? Each semester, our expert counselors guide students through the selection of courses, activities, and extracurricular activities to shape their experiences leading up to one’s unique Application Positioning™ in their senior year. We support students through the creation of businesses, the design of school or community programs, the development of new skills, and getting accepted to the world’s most prestigious pre-college programs.

We also help underclassmen to answer questions such as: What classes should I take? What clubs will be helpful? What should I do over the summer? What are top colleges looking for? Ultimately, we provide a wide variety of insights and strategies to help students successfully prepare for college, along with a unique college plan that improves an applicant’s chances of acceptance.

Our services for freshmen, sophomores and juniors include:

Application Positioning^TM
College Plan
Academic Assessment
Class Selection
Testing Guidance (SAT, ACT, AP, and Subject Tests)
Activity Recommendations
Community Opportunities
School Break Ideas
Summer Programs
Professional Experiences

With more than 45 years of college admissions consulting experience, The Ivy Dean assists students through the entire application process, opening the door to unique opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.

For more information, call (845) 826-5310 or click here to contact Drusilla Blackman.

Testimonials

On paper, I am by no means a perfect student. However, thanks to my Application Positioning, I was able to maximize the strengths that I bring to a college to compensate for other factors. Thanks to The Ivy Dean Team, I will be attending Princeton University, my dream school, in the fall.

Douglas R. – Princeton University

Dee provided excellent advice and guidance throughout the application process. Her overall expertise in admissions, professionalism and warmth made the experience a great one. I was thrilled that I was accepted to several of the most selective colleges in the country and will be attending Stanford in the fall.”

Laurel P. – Stanford University

It's my pleasure to inform you that I've been admitted to my first choice college: the University of Southern California. My dream is becoming reality! I am thrilled to get the chance to belong to the USC and to start a new adventure there. It is also thanks to your great help that I've been accepted, I'm very grateful! Thank you so much for everything.

Sonia G. – From Switzerland

Our son and daughter wanted to go to colleges in the same city but they had different interests and different strengths. She matched them each with their ideal college, one Columbia University and the other NYU, and worked to get them admitted. We couldn't have been more pleased.

Niki and Roger S.

I was a serious student but also wanted a university where I could continue competitive cycling. There weren't many schools that met my needs and fit my personality. From her experience, she was able to hone right in on what became my first choice school. I graduated last year and the entire college experience was awesome.

Colin J.

My parents and I didn't know how helpful it could be to have someone who understood things from the inside working with us. Ms. Blackman was able to identify just what would make me the most attractive candidate to colleges.

Bob M. – Harvard University