FAQs | Best Admissions Consultants

Frequently Asked Questions

What do admissions consultants do?

College admissions consultants help students work through the process and create a strong application demonstrating why they’re great candidates. These responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:

Developing a college application timeline
Building an extracurricular/academic strategy
Finding a student’s best-fit schools
Helping students determine what stories and traits will make their application more compelling
Editing support
Interview prep guidance
Helping a student secure scholarships and other forms of financial aid

Admissions consultants can help students with only one or two elements of the process or guide them from start to finish.

Does working with an admissions consultant guarantee college acceptance?

There is no way to ever guarantee college acceptance. Although college admissions consultants can have very high success rates, anyone promising college acceptance raises red flags. A college admissions consultant provides services designed to enhance college applications, assists with editing and writing, and ensures students receive support to improve their documents. However, college admissions committees decide who gets accepted and who doesn’t – an admissions counselor has no say in admissions decisions.

Does your website provide college admissions consulting services?

No, we do not provide college admissions consulting services. We only provide a ranking of top admissions consulting companies based on rankings from our eight ranking criteria. While our ranking system can help you evaluate your options, the company you choose to work with is up to you.

Are college admissions consulting services worth it?

It depends on why you’re seeking an admissions counselor’s help. Applying to college can be time-consuming and stressful, especially as college acceptance rates at top institutions are low. For students and families with the financial ability, seeking an admissions consultant's help can increase the student’s chances of success.

Admissions consultants with extensive expertise ensure students don’t fall into common application pitfalls and that the quality of their documents meets the expectations of the schools they apply to. An admissions consulting company can bring much value to a student’s college application and can certainly be a worthwhile investment to help them secure a seat at competitive institutions. However, families must weigh the pros, cons, and expectations before signing up to work with any college admissions consulting company.

Should I work with a college admissions consulting company near me or my state?

Many college admissions consulting companies deliver services virtually, meaning a company’s physical location doesn’t necessarily have to matter. However, it’s up to your needs and goals to determine whether an in-person or online arrangement works better for you.

Additionally, it may be harder to find local, in-person companies with admissions counselors who’ve attended top schools such as Stanford, Harvard, or MIT, depending on where you live. Choosing a company with an online delivery model and an extensive network of counselors can raise your chances of working with a counselor with a specific background or qualifications.

Are college admissions consulting companies a scam?

We don’t believe it’s fair to generalize. There are some companies that offer limited services for high prices that can leave consumers feeling scammed. There are companies that operate like this in almost any industry you can think of.

We built our ranking list, in part, to help students and families find the best college admissions consulting companies while avoiding companies that may not have the client’s best interest at heart.

How do I start working with a college admissions company?

You can generally find emails or other contact/sign-up information on a college admissions consulting company’s website. Some may offer free consultations designed to help you learn more about the services they provide and determine whether the company is a good fit. We encourage clients to compare packages, prices, and other offerings from various companies before making a final decision.

How much are college consulting services?

College consulting services pricing can vary drastically depending on the company, what’s included in a package, how many schools a client wants to apply to, and many more factors. The Independent Educational Consultants Association states that many consultants charge $140 or less per hour.

We encourage potential clients to contact the companies in our ranking list to learn about pricing and package options.

When should I seek college admissions consulting services?

Many college admissions consulting companies offer early support in addition to college application guidance. Seeking an admissions consultant’s guidance in grade 9 or even earlier can help students build a college action plan they can work toward before it’s time to apply.

While we encourage you to look into the benefits of starting early, many clients wait for senior year to seek college application support.

Do college admissions consulting companies also offer tutoring?

Not all college admissions consulting companies offer tutoring services, although some will. Tutoring services may be separate from college admissions consulting services or not be offered at all. It’s best to check the company’s website to learn more about their offerings.

Is college admissions consulting only for top students seeking entry to top institutions?

While many students and families seeking admissions consulting services fit these criteria, students don’t necessarily have to be at the top of their class or only apply to Ivy League schools to benefit from college admissions consulting services. Many students may benefit from a college admissions consultant’s support and guidance as they navigate the admissions process and apply to schools.