Yes, That Character on “And Just Like That…” Was (Sort Of) Me
So, there I was, catching up on the “Sex and the City” reboot, “And Just Like That…,” expecting some light summer escapism, when suddenly—there I am. Sort of.
I’d been warned, to be fair. One of the writers on the show—who also happens to be my former neighbor and current friend—had given me a heads-up that a new character might feel … familiar. Over the years, she must have seen my students coming and going from my apartment and we joked about how the headlines describing the frenzy around college admissions felt a little like something out of the fictional world. Apparently, she agreed.
Enter: the “Ivy Whisperer,” an elite, slightly mysterious private college advisor whose name is whispered up and down Park Avenue. When Charlotte finds out she’s late to the game, she full-on stalks the woman just to score a consult.
It’s outrageous. It’s hilarious. And while I don’t go by a cryptic alias or operate out of a bunker somewhere on the Upper East Side, I’ll admit—it felt a little close to home.
And yet, underneath the satire, the episode gets a few things surprisingly right:
1. Independent School Counselors Quietly Welcome Good Outside Advisors.
With acceptance rates at top colleges at historic lows, even the best schools can’t always provide the 1:1 guidance families need. Many school-based counselors are quietly relieved when a family brings in a thoughtful, experienced outside advisor. At College Prep 360, we’re not replacing anyone. We’re part of the team of mentors that students need to flourish.
2. Starting Early Isn’t Desperation. It’s Smart.
The scene where Charlotte desperately hunts down the Ivy Whisperer because she knows she’s behind? It’s a comedic exaggeration of something I see all the time. Most years, we have to start a wait list by mid-fall because families realize too late that this process takes time. Not because it’s about gaming the system, but because discovering authentic interests and building real impact doesn’t happen overnight.
3. Not All Accomplishments Are Created Equal (Anymore).
One of the hardest truths for families to hear is that playing lacrosse or piano—while wonderful—often isn’t enough to stand out. That doesn’t mean we steer students away from their passions. But it does mean we work with them to find angles, intersections, and experiences that are both personally meaningful and genuinely distinctive. There are no shortcuts. That’s why planning early matters.
We have a mantra at College Prep 360: our work is transformational, not transactional. We guide students through a process that helps them grow, not just package themselves. But in an admissions landscape that’s more competitive than ever, those who don’t take the time to develop real, lasting impact are often at a disadvantage.
So yes, I laughed. A lot. The show is silly and fun. And I was flattered (and more than a little amused) to see a glammed-up version of my job onscreen.
But I’m not the “Ivy Whisperer.” I’m not standoffish. I don’t ghost people. And I definitely don’t want to be chased through Central Park by a panicked mom in head-to-toe Ralph Lauren. I’m just someone who’s passionate about helping students find clarity, direction, and confidence in a system that too often feels overwhelming.
Being a muse wasn’t on my bucket list, but if it helps more families see that real guidance is about honesty, strategy, and having a long runway to figure it all out—then I’ll take it!
Education expert, founder, author of “B+ Grades, A+ College Application.”
