Meet Ruchi Kothari

We were lucky to catch up with Ruchi Kothari recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ruchi, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Many times, a purpose—or even a business—grows from a lack of support, resources, or opportunities. For me, that was exactly the case.

Growing up in America with traditional Indian values often meant navigating conflicting expectations. Education was highly valued, yet as a woman, leaving home to pursue a degree was not permitted. As a child of immigrant parents and an ESL student, I had to navigate the college admissions process on my own. Despite gaining acceptance into several Ivy League schools, I commuted to USC from my home in Southern California.

Determined to build a career and achieve financial independence, I fast-tracked my master’s degree through Northwestern University’s accelerated IMC graduate program, aware that my father was arranging my marriage—even as I had secured an incredible offer from American Express and started working at just 22. Later, my career took a backseat to family responsibilities and traditional expectations, a role I fully embraced when I left my thriving jewelry business in my early thirties to raise my three children. While motherhood was the most fulfilling experience of my life, I still craved intellectual stimulation and meaningful work.

Like many stay-at-home mothers, I became actively involved in the PTA. However, I also dedicated myself to studying federal and state education policies, particularly those impacting public schools. This deepened my passion for education reform and ultimately led me to serve on the Board of Education for six years. As a strong writer who had always helped my younger brother and cousins with their essays and applications, I began assisting students with college applications on the side. What started as volunteer work became my calling, as families encouraged me to turn my expertise into a profession.

Fifteen years ago, I founded IvyBound Consulting to help students achieve the dream of higher education and financial freedom—a dream I had to relentlessly pursue despite traditional family constraints. With every student I guide, I get to relive, in a deeply personal way, the joy of seeing a dream fulfilled—a dream I once had to carve out for myself. My purpose is fulfilled.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Through IvyBound Consulting, I serve as the lead college counselor, guiding high school students to gain admission to their dream colleges and build fulfilling professional paths. Over the past 15 years, our personalized, strategic approach has helped students earn admission to top universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), MIT, UCLA, NYU, UC Berkeley, and more.

What makes IvyBound Consulting unique is the way we combine expert strategy with genuine, long-term relationships. We don’t just focus on acceptances—we focus on building a student’s confidence, voice, and future path. I take pride in a 98% success rate for helping students gain admission to their top three college choices, but my greatest fulfillment comes from the lasting relationships I build with students and families. Long after they’ve stepped onto campus, they reach out to share their successes and express gratitude for the role I played in their journey. For me, that ongoing connection is the most rewarding measure of success.

We currently offer three levels of support: personalized one-on-one counseling, an affordable group coaching subscription, and a free WhatsApp group that delivers timely admissions strategies for high school students and parents. This year, we’re expanding our group coaching program with live workshops on essay writing, application strategy, and financial aid planning, so we can help even more families navigate the admissions process with clarity and confidence.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Through both personal and professional challenges, I have learned that rejection, discrimination, and obstacles are inevitable, but they don’t have to define you. The key is to pivot, adapt, and continue evolving.

Breaking into the college counseling field was not easy. Many dismissed me as “just another mom” who thought she could get students into top schools because she had done it for her own children. As an Indian-American woman, I have encountered workplace discrimination in both the jewelry and higher education industries. In my jewelry business, my work was often overlooked in favor of my White male salesman. In higher education, I had to work twice as hard to prove my worth in a male-dominated space. Yet by focusing on building my skills, delivering results, and refusing to be deterred, I have consistently defied expectations.

Moreover, my journey is also a testament to women who take time away from their careers to care for their families. It is never too late to restart, succeed, and thrive. It takes relentless hard work, continuous learning, and the courage to ignore those who say you’re too old, lack the skills, or can’t make it—but it’s absolutely possible.

Today, I have built a respected presence in the college counseling industry, where the families I work with deeply value my guidance. I’m proud of IvyBound Consulting’s 98% success rate in helping students gain admission to their top three college choices. Our students are also 20 times more likely than the average applicant to be accepted into the top 25 U.S. universities—proof of the power of our personalized, strategic approach.

My journey—from succeeding in two vastly different industries despite cultural and familial barriers—is a testament to perseverance. My mission is to inspire and empower others, especially women and immigrants, to recognize their potential and pursue their dreams—regardless of age, life stage, or where their journey begins.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I have the privilege of guiding and supporting high school students through the often overwhelming and stressful college admissions journey—a process that impacts both students and their parents. To ensure every student receives comprehensive support, I collaborate with trusted tutors who specialize in standardized test prep, AP or IB coursework, and subject-specific tutoring. I also work with mental health professionals who help students navigate the emotional challenges of the process. In addition, I partner with financial and college funding planners who assist families with the financial side of higher education. And, I continue to build relationships with organizations whose audiences include high school students and their families.

Through these partnerships, I strive to leave no stone unturned—streamlining the process and transforming what can be a daunting experience into a more organized, supportive, and ultimately stress-free journey for students and their families.

To connect with Ruchi S. Kothari or the IvyBound Consulting team, email [email protected], call 1-844-IMADMIT, or reach out via Instagram @ivyboundconsulting or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchiskothari/. You may also book a free 20-minute call through https://calendly.com/ivyboundconsulting/20min. We look forward to hearing from you!

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