Best College Admissions Consultants
Getting into college isn’t as easy as it once was. Parents and students from every country are trying to learn how to present the perfect package to admissions.
Here’s our list of the top college admissions consultants. We look at their location – although many will now meet online, when they recommend you start their process, their stats, and their specialties. Read on to learn all about college admissions consultants.
25 Best College Admissions Consultants
1. IvyWise
Location(s): New York
Modality: Online and in person
When Should I Start? As early as junior high/middle school
What Do They Do? Application and profile reviews, deferral, and waitlist help
Stats: Acceptance rates up to four times higher than similar companies
Member Organizations: N/A
IvyWise only hires admissions consultants with a minimum of three years of experience. As one of the best college admissions consultants, the company has partnerships with both Ivy League and other schools. More than 70% of those who worked with IvyWise received acceptance letters from Brown University. Students can get help with waitlist placements and deferrals, too.
2. College Zoom
Location(s): Santa Monica, CA
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Sophomore or junior year
What Do They Do? Essays, selection, and application
Stats: 96.1% acceptance rate among students’ top three choices
Member Organizations: National Association for College Admission Counseling, Western Association for College Admission Counseling
College Zoom offers an initial consultation and has a discount for twins. Students who start before their freshman year also qualify for a discount. With a college planning package, students learn what to do during the next four years and receive help every year. The College Zoom application packages help students apply to UC schools and those who use the Common Application.
3. Accepted
Location(s): Remote
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? High school
What Do They Do? Essays, applications, college, and test prep
Stats: Personalized help
Member Organizations: N/A
Accepted prides itself on its personalized approach to the college admissions process. Students can pick any admissions counselor based on their specific needs. As all appointments are online only, Accepted also allows members to choose times that fit in their schedules. Using the free consultation helps the student see what they get from the program.
4. Ivy Coach
Location(s): New York
Modality: Online, in person
When Should I Start? First year of high school
What Do They Do? Ivy League admissions, test tutoring
Stats: Ivy League acceptance rates of nearly 7%
Member Organizations: National Association for College Admission Counseling
Ivy Coach focuses on helping the top students get into Ivy League schools, including Cornell and Harvard. It offers an initial one-hour session with the student and their parents to talk about problems they need to correct. Consultants help students with up to three applications. Ivy Coach offers help with both Early Decision and Regular Decision applications, too.
5. C2 Education
Location(s): California, North Carolina, Maryland, Washington, and 10 other states
Modality: In person
When Should I Start? Junior year
What Do They Do? Test prep, applications, college admissions
Stats: Places more than 2,500 students with the top 100 colleges annually
Member Organizations: National Association for College Admission Counseling
C2 Education operates in 14 states and offers both individual and group sessions. The group sessions help you save money and meet with others in the process of applying to college. You might prefer the personalized help you get during an individual session. C2 Education offers help with admissions and applications to top schools and standardized test prep.
6. Admissionado
Location(s): Chicago
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Ninth grade
What Do They Do? Essays, applications
Stats: 98% success rate
Member Organizations: N/A
Admissionado helps students create compelling essays with a strong narrative to impress colleges. During your free consultation, you learn how the process works and the benefits you get from it. The company also runs application diagnostics to see what yours is missing. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the pack when you apply to any college.
7. Shemmassian Academic Consulting
Location(s): San Diego
Modality: Online, in person
When Should I Start? Freshman year
What Do They Do? College prep, admissions counseling
Stats: Acceptance rates of more than 90%
Member Organizations: N/A
Shemmassian Academic Consulting believes in using the most recent data to help students get into their dream schools. In the more than two decades since the business opened, more than 90% of its students got into at least one of their top three colleges. The company also hires the best in the field and has consultants who worked at Harvard and Columbia among others.
8. Moon Prep
Location(s): Online
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? High School
What Do They Do? Medical school admissions, research experiences, academic profiles, interview prep
Stats: 94% acceptance rate
Member Organizations: N/A
Moon Prep is unique in the academic consultant field because it helps students enter undergrad programs in medical subjects. These programs offer a fast pass to medical school and are quite competitive. Moon Prep has counselors working in various states to help you apply to the programs and prepare for your interview. You also get help finding research experiences that add to your application.
9. Solomon Admissions Consulting
Location(s): New York
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Freshman year
What Do They Do? Personal statements, college prep, essays
Stats: Acceptance rates of up to 84%
Member Organizations: National Association for College Admission Counseling
Solomon Admissions Consulting recommends students start as freshmen but will work with high school juniors and seniors. During your initial phone call, you talk about what you need to design a college application package. This package helps you create a strong personal statement or essay and find activities to add to your application. The consultants help you prepare for future college interviews, too.
10. Command Education
Location(s): New York, South Florida
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Ninth grade
What Do They Do? Activities selection, test tutoring, admissions help
Stats: 94% acceptance rates at top schools
Member Organizations: N/A
Command Education calls its consultants Senior Mentors because they help you up through your senior year. The consultants graded from some of the country’s top schools. Other consultants may support you in other parts of the application process. In addition to admissions help, Command Education also offers test tutoring to ensure you get a high score on the ACT or SAT.
11. Anna Ivey Consulting
Location(s): Online
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Ninth grade
What Do They Do? Applications, essays, college selection, law school admissions
Stats: 90%+ acceptance rate
Member Organizations: N/A
Anna Ivey appeared on many TV shows and now helps students find the right admissions consultants for them. You get a free consultation and then work with yours virtually. Work with a consultant to create an essay that makes a college want you. Anna Ivey Consulting can also help you narrow down your top colleges and complete all of your applications.
12. Quad Education
Location(s): Online
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? As early as sixth grade
What Do They Do? Test prep, college applications
Stats: Up to four times more acceptance letters than other services
Member Organizations: National Association for College Admission Counseling
Quad Education believes every student can achieve their dreams. It has a unique option designed for students applying to BS/MD programs. These programs are more competitive and look for students who have more experience. The college admissions help you get includes how to write an essay or personal statement and what to do if you land on a school’s waitlist.
13. InGenius College Prep
Location(s): Connecticut
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Before senior year
What Do They Do? School selection, personal statements, interviews, final reviews
Stats: 99% acceptance rate
Member Organizations: National Association for College Admission Counseling
One of the nice things about working with InGenius College Prep is that your consultant will complete a final review of your application. Before you reach this step, you’ll gather letters of recommendation, draft a good essay or statement, and collect a list of activities to include. The final review ensures your application is ready to go. They boast a staff of former admissions counselors, so you really get the inside scoop.
14. American College Admissions Consultants
Location(s): Florida
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Sophomore year
What Do They Do? Test tutoring, essays, application reviews
Stats: All students received at least one acceptance letter
Member Organizations: N/A
American College Admissions Consultants offers a college advising package with support every step of the way. Your consultant helps you pick the right high school classes and activities and get you ready for one of the standardized tests. They also prepare you for college interviews and help you draft an essay before a final application review.
15. Spark Admissions
Location(s): Massachusetts
Modality: Online, in person
When Should I Start? Sophomore year
What Do They Do? Resumes, essays, applications
Stats: 90%+ acceptance rate
Member Organizations: National Association for College Admission Counseling
Though Spark Admissions recommends students start in high school, it works with younger students as well as seniors. Sign up for sessions in the Boston area or use virtual sessions anywhere in the world. Consultants help you pick which standardized test to take and how to prepare for it along with writing an essay, drafting your resume, and filling out your application.
16. Admit Advantage
Location(s): Maryland
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Sophomore year
What Do They Do? Admissions counseling
Stats: 90%+ acceptance rate
Member Organizations: N/A
Admit Advantage offers all the admissions counseling you need. You have the choice of buying a complete package or just the individual services you prefer. Those services include writing and editing your essay or personal statement and crafting your resume. Your consultant can help you prepare for an upcoming college interview, too.
17. Crimson Education
Location(s): California, New York, Colorado, and other countries
Modality: In person, online
When Should I Start? High school
What Do They Do? Applications, essays, activities
Stats: More than 700 acceptance letters from Ivy League colleges
Member Organizations: N/A
More than 1,100 students who used Crimson Education received acceptance letters from their top schools and another 4,500 students were accepted by the nation’s top 50 colleges. Crimson Education works with former admissions officers who know what colleges look for in applications. Not only do you get help with the application, but your counselor assists you in choosing the best activities and writing a good essay.
18. College Transitions
Location(s): North Carolina
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Freshman or sophomore year
What Do They Do? Resumes, applications, course choices
Stats: An acceptance rate of above 90%
Member Organizations: N/A
College Transitions offers support for freshmen, sophomores, and upperclassmen. At a younger age, the consultant will analyze your test scores and help you pick classes and activities to improve your college chances. A full review of your educational background comes later to help you make any required changes. Interview prep and recommendation letter strategies are also available.
19. SOS Admissions
Location(s): California, Louisiana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and other states
Modality: Online, in person
When Should I Start? Sophomore year
What Do They Do? Personal statements, interviews, applications
Stats: More than 1,000 students received acceptance letters from top schools
Member Organizations: N/A
SOS Admissions is unique in that it offers help for both incoming freshmen and transfer students. With locations in many different cities, the company makes it easy for you to attend online or in-person appointments. Get help with your resume, essay, and other information you need to provide. Consultants also help with interview prep. Sessions are available over FaceTime and Skype.
20. AcceptU
Location(s): Massachusetts
Modality: Online
When Should I Start? Ninth grade
What Do They Do? Test and interview prep, essays, applications
Stats: 91% of students got into one or more of their top schools
Member Organizations: National Association for College Admission Counseling
All programs from AcceptU come with the same services. You get paired with a consultant who has the same goals as you and maybe even one who graduated from your top school. Once you sign up, you get a personalized dashboard to help you stay on track in the coming months and years. AcceptU saw 98% of its students receive acceptance letters from the country’s top 50 schools since 2010. Its consultants work with you on your essay and overall interview and provide interview and test prep.
21. Empowerly
Location(s): Maryland, Pennsylvania, and other states
Modality: Online, in person
When Should I Start? Sophomore or junior year
What Do They Do? Essays, interviews, applications
Stats: 98% acceptance rate among top 100 American colleges
Member Organizations: N/A
Empowerly offers personalized programs designed for each student. Though you can attend sessions at a nearby location, most students prefer the convenience of virtual meetings. Your consultant helps you prepare for interviews with colleges and write an essay that gets your foot in the door. The consultant will also go over your background and goals to help you see what you need to do to get an acceptance letter. Empowerly gives you up to 25 as much time with your consultant as other companies do.
22. Collegewise
Location(s): California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington, Texas, and Connecticut
Modality: Online, in person
When Should I Start? Sophomore or junior year
What Do They Do? Admissions counseling, test prep
Stats: 90%+ acceptance rate
Member Organizations: N/A
Collegewise counselors start with students as young as junior high, ensuring they pick the right programs in high school. During your senior year, you work with a consultant to identify your goals and come up with essay ideas. They help you complete the full application, too. Once you get acceptance letters, trust your consultant to help you choose the best school.
23. Bright Horizons College Coach
Location(s): Washington, California, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, and several other states
Modality: In person
When Should I Start? Sophomore year
What Do They Do? College admissions and applications
Stats: 96% of students recommend the site
Member Organizations: N/A
Bright Horizons is an educational company with college coaches who help students get ready for college. You can attend live events or watch videos of those events later. College coaches include former admissions officers who understand the process. They help you rewrite your essay, draft a strong application, and answer any questions you have.
24. DC College Counseling
Location(s): Virginia
Modality: In person, online
When Should I Start? Sophomore through junior year
What Do They Do? Essays, applications, academic counseling
Stats: 90%+ acceptance rate among local schools
Member Organizations: N/A
Based out of Virginia, DC College Counseling offers support for both local students and others who plan to apply through the Common Application. Individual sessions are available and include test and interview prep. The comprehensive plans help you and your parents come up with a plan based on your goals. It includes both essay and application support.
25. Flex College Prep
Location(s): California
Modality: Online, in person
When Should I Start? By junior year
What Do They Do? Test prep, tutoring, college selection, applications
Stats: Works with students as young as sixth grade
Member Organizations: N/A
Flex College Prep believes it’s never too early to plan for college, which is why it has an introductory program for younger students. By the time you’re a junior, you’ll receive help picking colleges to apply to based on your background and goals. Flex College Prep also offers test prep and tutoring to help you score higher and increase your chance of getting into your dream school.
Next Steps
As you do your research for the best college admissions consultants, you should inquire with a few different options. Then, determine which companies meet your criteria, who you feel the best with, and of course, which one has a price that works with your budget. Good luck!
Ranking Methodology
We looked at a combination of factors to determine our rankings – years in business, delivery modality, success statistics and types of offerings to determine our rankings. We also took into account our 17 years of experience working with college admissions to determine who we thought was the best. Remember, just because someone is listed number one or number 23, you should still do your research and find the best fit for you.