Students Experience Luxurious College Tours

A group of high school students is getting a taste of luxury as they prepare for college applications.

This fall, a select group will embark on a unique tour of prestigious universities, and it comes with a hefty price tag of $300,000. Organized by the admissions consulting firm Ivywise, the “Altitude Experience” aims to give these seven students a memorable introduction to elite institutions.

They’ll be flying on a private Gulfstream G650 jet to each campus, which feels quite extravagant—some might say it’s like a dream. The total cost, mind you, is roughly equivalent to four years of tuition at an Ivy League school.

The tour kicks off on October 13th in New York City, where participating families will visit institutions like Columbia University. There’s also going to be some fun at a popular hangout spot, as Ivywise CEO Dr. Kat Cohen mentioned they’ll have “Samoa Sun Days.”

But that’s just the start. After a night at the Four Seasons in Tribeca, the group heads to Princeton University in New Jersey. By the second day, they’ll reach Boston—home to both Harvard and MIT—where they’ll enjoy a cozy dinner at a high-end restaurant known as Ritzy Duque Have.

Learning continues in Washington, DC, where participants will tour Georgetown University and dine at a well-regarded spot before heading back to Manhattan.

Cohen indicated that participants will experience seamless transitions with private tarmac pickups and luxury vehicles at every juncture. Plus, they’ll receive new bags for their belongings, making it feel even more exclusive.

The program also provides academic guidance, with Ivywise counselor Christine Chu—who has a background in admissions at Yale and Georgetown—leading sessions to help students ask insightful questions during campus visits.

“You’ll be getting expert advice all along the way,” Cohen noted, adding that the Ivywise team will create tailored reports for each student prior to the trip.

After the journey, Ivywise will assist students with application preparations, essays, and interview coaching. Cohen emphasized that this is a comprehensive service designed to reduce the stress families feel during the admissions process. It seems, quite simply, they want everything planned out and running smoothly.

Though, I suppose, the SAT doesn’t get included in this luxury package.