10 Red Flags to Look Out For When Choosing an Admission Consultant

The first five of these red flags should automatically disqualify someone from guiding you or your loved ones through the college or graduate school admissions process. The last five are not disqualifying factors in themselves, but should raise questions in your mind about whether this person is really the best choice given your situation.

1. They brag about routinely working with students who are smarter than they are.

2. They describe their main function as a cheerleader or positivity coach.

3. They can’t explain how their services will distinguish you or your loved one from other applicants who are also using admission consultants.

4. They claim you are guaranteed admission to your top-choice college if you work with them.

5. They aren’t transparent about their success rates.

6. They keep using the phrase “authentic self” or talk about how showing growth is key in your essays.

7. If they charge hourly, but don't charge for the time they spend editing or polishing your essays.

8. They don’t know the first thing about the academic interests of you or your loved one.

9. They are naive about the truthfulness of sitting admission officers and readers.

10. Their only claim to fame is having read tens of thousands of essays as former admission officers, and helping ultra rich students with all of the privilege, opportunities, and extracurriculars in the world get into top colleges.

If you or someone you know is applying or plans to apply to college, take the simplest step possible to increase your chances of getting into your preferred college: schedule a free consultation with Cosmic College Consulting now.