When it comes to big life decisions, the decision is seldom obvious. The onus is on you to ask the questions that allow you to gather the information that makes the decision more and more clear.?
I wrote a previous article about the core considerations in choosing a short course, where I outlined a subjective 7 elements that matter to me. Now if this is the complexity of something I will be enrolled in for 3 weeks… imagine the complexity involved in a decision that I will be enrolled in for the next 3 years.?
The choice of college is something I would need to be well aligned to not only my current goals, but also to my likely future goals, and my likely future potential.?
…and it’s something I would want to leverage expert advice in. I would gather advice from industry professionals, as well as from my personal network, and finally from experts specifically trained in supporting the decision of colleges.
Choosing the right college admissions consulting firm can make all the difference in a competitive admissions process. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best options available today, based on key factors such as expertise, transparency, client feedback, and more. Whether you're applying to Ivy League schools or other prestigious institutions, these firms can help you stand out.
Ranking Criteria Before diving into the rankings, here are the key factors we used to evaluate each firm:
- Team Size and Expertise: The breadth and depth of the team, focusing on whether they employ former admissions officers.
- Transparency: How clearly the firms outline their process and success rates, especially if backed by third-party validation.
- Customer Feedback: Reviews from third-party platforms like Trustpilot and Google Reviews, focusing on both quality and quantity.
- Results: Proven success rates, especially for students applying to top-tier schools.
- Knowledge Sharing: How actively firms share resources, such as blogs, webinars, and videos, that benefit students and parents.
- Solomon Admissions Consulting Website: Solomon Admissions Consulting Team Size: One of the largest teams, composed mainly of former admissions officers from top-tier schools. Transparency: Solomon offers a transparent, third-party reviewed process, ensuring accountability in their results. Customer Feedback: Consistently rated highly across platforms, with a 4.9/5 average on Trustpilot. Results: Their success rate is independently verified, showing a significant boost in acceptance chances at top schools. Knowledge Sharing: Solomon’s active blog and YouTube channel provide valuable insights into the admissions process.
- Empowerly Website: Empowerly Team Size: A large team with a variety of specialties, though fewer former admissions officers compared to Solomon. Transparency: While not verified by third parties, Empowerly boasts an impressive admissions success rate. Customer Feedback: High ratings on Trustpilot, with a 4.9/5 average score from hundreds of reviews. Results: Empowerly’s students enjoy a high admissions success rate, particularly with elite schools. Knowledge Sharing: A consistently updated blog and active YouTube channel provide resources to help students.
- IvyWise Website: IvyWise Team Size: A sizable team with a strong focus on former Ivy League admissions officers. Transparency: IvyWise openly shares their holistic approach, but with fewer publicly verified success rates. Customer Feedback: Though fewer reviews, their clients often praise their comprehensive admissions strategy. Results: IvyWise’s focus on a holistic application process leads to a strong, though less frequently published, success rate. Knowledge Sharing: Active on both their blog and YouTube, IvyWise aims to educate students and parents throughout the admissions process.
- Crimson Education Website: Crimson Education Team Size: Crimson boasts a global team of over 2,400 experts, providing wide-reaching expertise. Transparency: Known for their detailed and transparent admissions process, though third-party verification is lacking. Customer Feedback: Highly rated across platforms, Crimson is praised for personalized, results-driven support. Results: Crimson’s global reach and success in elite admissions are evident, with a focus on both academics and extracurriculars. Knowledge Sharing: A strong presence on YouTube and their blog, they offer educational content aimed at college-bound students.
- PrepScholar Website: PrepScholar Team Size: A smaller team compared to other firms, with a focus on standardized test preparation. Transparency: PrepScholar is clear about their services and pricing, offering straightforward support for college admissions. Customer Feedback: With high ratings on Trustpilot, clients appreciate their tailored approach to test prep and admissions. Results: Known for their strength in test preparation, PrepScholar helps students boost scores and applications. Knowledge Sharing: They focus primarily on educational resources related to test prep, offering a variety of videos and blog posts.
- Bentham Admissions Website: Bentham Admissions Team Size: An agile team of graduates from highly selective schools or graduate programs with a focus on individual attention. Transparency: Bentham outlines 2 undergraduate packages, and clearly defines what’s included in each. Customer Feedback: Widely positive, although the quantity of reviews isn’t overwhelming. Results: Their website advertises that 90% of their clients are admitted to one of their top choice schools. Knowledge Sharing: While not prolific, Bentham keeps a well-maintained blog, providing in-depth content for applicants.
- Accepted.com Website: Accepted.com Team Size: A seasoned team with a focus on MBA and graduate admissions, though they offer undergraduate support as well. Transparency: Accepted.com is clear about what they offer, though fewer reviews make it hard to assess customer satisfaction fully. Customer Feedback: Generally positive, especially in their niche of graduate admissions. Results: A strong option for specialized admissions like MBA programs, Accepted.com also provides useful undergraduate support. Knowledge Sharing: Their blog and YouTube channel are well-maintained, providing in-depth content for applicants.
- Spark Admissions Website: Spark Admissions Team Size: A smaller team compared to others, but highly specialized in elite college admissions. Transparency: Spark is clear about their processes, though with a smaller online presence. Customer Feedback: Clients give excellent reviews on platforms like Yelp, though there are fewer reviews overall. Results: Known for their strategic, high-level support, Spark Admissions is a great option for students targeting Ivy League schools. Knowledge Sharing: They focus more on direct consulting, with less emphasis on public content sharing.
Choosing the right college admissions consulting firm is crucial to your success. The best college admissions consultant for you is a personal choice, with many offering valuable services depending on your needs. Whether you seek comprehensive support or specialized guidance, the firms listed here are some of the best available in 2024.
