College Admissions Consultants & Counselors by State

College Admissions Consultants & Counselors by State

Get the help you need to get into your dream college. Our growing database of college admissions consultants can help you find college counselors near you.

Most high school students have extremely limited access to direct guidance during the college admissions process. According to The New York Times, during the 2015-2016 school year, every public school counselor in the U.S. was assigned to an average of 470 students! That doesn’t leave much time for one-on-one support as you figure out how to complete your FAFSA, decide which extracurriculars improve your chances of college admission, and what application strategies can help you stand out in a sea of other excellent students. College admissions consultants, or college coaches, can help fill that gap, and give you a major advantage in finding the school of your choice.

To find the best college admissions consultant for your needs, jump into our state-by-state directory of quality consulting agencies.

Find College Admissions Consultants Near You

Find Admissions Counselors in Alabama! Find Admissions Counselors in Alaska! Find Admissions Counselors in Arizona! Find Admissions Counselors in Arkansas! Find Admissions Counselors in California! Find Admissions Counselors in Colorado! Find Admissions Counselors in Connecticut! Find Admissions Counselors in Delaware! Find Admissions Counselors in District Of Columbia! Find Admissions Counselors in Florida! Find Admissions Counselors in Georgia! Find Admissions Counselors in Hawaii! Find Admissions Counselors in Idaho! Find Admissions Counselors in Illinois! Find Admissions Counselors in Indiana! Find Admissions Counselors in Iowa! Find Admissions Counselors in Kansas! Find Admissions Counselors in Kentucky! Find Admissions Counselors in Louisiana! Find Admissions Counselors in Maine! Find Admissions Counselors in Maryland! Find Admissions Counselors in Massachusetts! Find Admissions Counselors in Michigan! Find Admissions Counselors in Minnesota! Find Admissions Counselors in Mississippi! Find Admissions Counselors in Missouri! Find Admissions Counselors in Montana! Find Admissions Counselors in Nebraska! Find Admissions Counselors in Nevada! Find Admissions Counselors in New Hampshire! Find Admissions Counselors in New Jersey! Find Admissions Counselors in New Mexico! Find Admissions Counselors in New York! Find Admissions Counselors in North Carolina! Find Admissions Counselors in North Dakota! Find Admissions Counselors in Ohio! Find Admissions Counselors in Oklahoma! Find Admissions Counselors in Oregon! Find Admissions Counselors in Pennsylvania! Find Admissions Counselors in Puerto Rico! Find Admissions Counselors in Rhode Island! Find Admissions Counselors in South Carolina! Find Admissions Counselors in South Dakota! Find Admissions Counselors in Tennessee! Find Admissions Counselors in Texas! Find Admissions Counselors in Utah! Find Admissions Counselors in Vermont! Find Admissions Counselors in Virginia! Find Admissions Counselors in Washington! Find Admissions Counselors in West Virginia! Find Admissions Counselors in Wisconsin! Find Admissions Counselors in Wyoming!
Back to Top

Frequently Asked Questions about College Consultants

What is an admissions consultant?

A college admissions consultant is a hired expert who can help you navigate the complex landscape of college admissions. College admissions consultants may operate independently or as part of admissions consulting groups and agencies. College admissions consultant companies vary widely in size and service offerings, and may operate either local to your state and region, or may be part of a national network of consultants.

For tips on selecting a college admissions constants that matches your needs, check out our conversations with college consultant and admissions expert David Nguyen of NextLevelPrep, who advises on How to Choose a College Admissions Consultant.

What does a college admissions consultant do?

A college admissions consultant provides direct support to students and families as they navigate the sometimes complex college admissions process. Consultants typically perform a wide range of services. These services can vary widely, but often include counseling on how to improve your odds of getting into the schools of your choice, support in writing your college essays and personal statements, SAT/ACT test preparation, direction through the scholarship and financial aid processes and more.

Why hire college admissions consulting company?

One of the primary reasons to hire a college admissions consulting company is because the experts who work in this field have a strong understanding of the types of courses, grades, extracurriculars, test scores, and personal statements college admissions officers are looking for. This insight gives you a better chance at making the right impression with the college of your choice. And college admissions consultants who provide test preparation can significantly improve your performance on SAT/ACT exams, which can raise your odds of earning scholarships and getting into the higher-tiered schools on your list.

When is the best time to start working with a college admissions consultant?

This depends on your goals. If you simply need support during the test prep and application process, you can begin your relationship with a consultant during your junior year of high school, just as the college search process really heats up. However, there are some college consulting groups that will begin working with families as early as 8th or 9th grade, guiding students on their academic focus, course selection, extracurriculars, community service, and more. This type of full-service consultation is generally very costly, but the goal is to provide students and families with a complete road map that leads directly to a top college.

How much do college admissions consultants charge?

The price for college admissions consultation can vary widely depending on the type of company and the nature of services you seek. From one-time seminars to weekly consultation to hands-on guidance for the entirety of your high school education, you have a lot of options. Simply stated, the higher the level of service you seek, the more you’ll spend.

For a look at the pricing landscape, check out college consultant and admissions expert David Nguyen’s ranking of The Best College Admissions Consulting Agencies.

Are college admissions consultants worth it?

Yes! If you have access, this extra level of support can genuinely provide you with insight into the admissions process and enhance your odds of admission. And most importantly, you won’t be alone during the arduous process of applying to colleges. While your high school guidance counselor can literally spend no more than a few minutes a semester on your admissions process, your consultant will be directly invested in your success. This can make a major difference in where you end up earning your undergraduate degree.

Can I trust college admissions consulting?

Yes, you can trust college admissions consulting. That’s why we list only companies that are recognized by agencies and associations such as Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC). These independent agencies provide oversight and certification, ensuring that members adhere to all appropriate legal, ethical, and commercial standards both on behalf of consumers and within the higher education infrastructure. Consulting companies listed in their directories may be considered trustworthy and legitimate.

For more on how you can safely and effectively navigate the college admissions consulting landscape, check out college consultant and admissions expert David Nguyen’s Confessions of a College Prep Consultant.

The pandemic radically changed the college search process and college admissions counseling. Find out more in our look at the changes and why they matter to students.

If you are just starting your college search journey, check out the 11 Best College Search Tools.

Back to Top

College Admission Consultants Resources

Learn more with a look at our Guide to the College Admissions Process.

Or get tips on studying, student life, and much more with a look at our Student Resources.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here