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When you look for Beyond the States reviews, you’ll find a mix of opinions from students and parents trying to understand what the service offers. Having all the European program options in one spot is really handy, but there are some gaps that matter during the admissions process.
This review of Beyond the States examines its pricing, offerings, and areas for improvement to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your international college goals.
Pros & Cons of Beyond the States
Although their emphasis on English-taught programs in Europe is promising, several factors that students and their families should consider before investing.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
|---|---|
| Beyond the States covers a very specific niche: European, English-taught full degrees (not short exchanges). | Geographic focus is narrow: mainly Europe, so it’s not ideal if you want Canada, Australia, or Asia. |
| They have an expansive database of English-taught programs in Europe and other regions. It’s definitely easier than searching each university’s website manually. | A limited number of formally certified admissions counselors, which families expect at this price point. |
| 1:1 consultations and personalized guidance to help students find programs that fit their interests, goals, and financial situation. | Many of Beyond the States’ services, including workshops, webinars, and consultations, are offered completely online. There’s no in-person support available. |
Beyond the States offers a niche service for students who want to study in Europe. However, they could improve in several areas, particularly in terms of team expertise, geographic coverage, and in-person support.
If you’re considering BeyodtheStates.com, they might be worth it for a particular set of needs. At the same time, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a more comprehensive approach or access to a broader range of countries. So, we recommend doing additional research and perhaps consulting with other college admission consultants before committing.
With that in mind, let’s move on to the full review to see what Beyond the States actually offers and where it falls short.
What Are the Main Admission Consulting Services of Beyond the States?
Beyond the States is not a traditional U.S. admissions consultancy. They primarily focus on helping U.S. students who consider English-taught programs abroad, especially in Europe. This sounds great, but their services are somewhat limited in scope.
Their core service is a combination of program search, shortlists, and consulting sessions. And while they offer information about several countries, their primary focus is on Europe, meaning that students who might want to consider programs in other regions like Asia or Latin America won’t find as much value here.
For example, BeMo Consulting offers similar or better guidance without requiring a high upfront investment for their best resources.
What’s Included in Those Packages?
Beyond the States breaks their services into a few main parts, and each paid package combines these elements differently.
✔️ Research and Program Access
Their biggest selling point is the database. BeyondtheStates.com lists thousands of English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs across Europe, along with key details like tuition, admission requirements, program structure, and language expectations.
Instead of checking every university’s website on your own, you can filter options in seconds.
✔️ Personalized Guidance Services
Most packages also include a 1:1 consultation where an advisor helps narrow down your choices. Families use this session to talk through interests, budget, and long-term goals.
After that, you usually receive a curated list of programs and some direction on how to handle documents, deadlines, and common admission quirks in different countries.
✔️ Membership Levels
Beyond the States has several membership tiers, and each one adds more features. Basic plans give you database access, while higher tiers include extra guides, recorded sessions, and more in-depth support.
✔️ Workshops and Webinars
This consulting firm regularly holds online workshops on topics like choosing a country, understanding European admissions, or budgeting for a degree abroad. These sessions give students a broader understanding of what studying overseas actually looks like.
It’s important to note that the packages differ in how much guidance you receive. For example, some students told they only got a PDF list and a short call from Beyond the States, while others paid for more hands-on help.
Who Is on the BeyondtheStates Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
Beyond the States has a passionate team with international experience. However, not all members have professional admissions credentials. That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but you should be aware of it.
According to the Beyond the States reviews, some families assumed they were working with certified counselors similar to those in the U.S. or U.K. consulting markets. Later, they learned that the team is more experience-based than credential-based.
While their team is more familiar with European systems than the average person, those who need case-specific guidance (especially for competitive programs) will notice the gaps.
Having more certified counselors or advisors who specialize in international education systems could make Beyond the States more trustworthy.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Indeed, counselors from Beyond the States offer several extra services:
- Webinars and sessions on topics like comparing education systems, budgeting for a degree abroad, and understanding admissions timelines.
- Student housing assistance, visa services, and health insurance guidance.
- Programs to help match students with scholarship opportunities.
- “Best Fit List Matching Service”, which is an add-on where more tailored program matches can be purchased.
That said, in many Beyond the States reviews, parents mention that these extras aren’t always as in-depth as you can expect. It’s usually just general advice. Some of the webinars feel more like introductions than hands-on guidance, and the info on housing or visas isn’t always personalized.
Does BeyondtheStates.com Have Any FREE Services?
BeyondtheStates.com offers some free resources, including blog posts, general advice, and introductory videos about studying in Europe. These are helpful for families who simply want an overview of the options.
However, truly valuable information, such as program lists and admission comparisons, is only available to paid members. It’s more like teaser content to get you interested in purchasing a membership.
In contrast, MBA Exchange offers free initial consultations or assessments, which could be more valuable for making such an important decision.
Beyond the States Pricing and Guarantees
Beyond the States splits everything into Self-Service memberships and Full-Service counseling.
The Self-Service memberships give you access to their full database, cost-of-living tools, advanced filters, scholarship listings, and webinars. It’s a good setup if you like researching on your own. The pricing looks like this:
- Discover – $49/month
- Pursue – $42/month (6 months)
- Achieve – $37/month (yearly)
Their Full-Service packages are much more hands-on. These include Best Fit List matches, 1:1 calls, application guidance, and even “Guaranteed Admission.”
Below is a snapshot of what pricing looks like:
- Silver tier – $4,697
- Gold tier – $5,899
- Platinum tier – $7,998 (includes Guaranteed Admission)
The guarantee sounds comforting, but BeyondtheStates.com doesn’t fully explain how it works or which programs it applies to. And that’s pretty fishy, since no consultant can really “guarantee” admission unless the school already has an extremely flexible policy.
Another thing worth noting is that the Full-Service plans are expensive, even compared with U.S. college consultants. The Platinum level has great extras, but it may be too expensive for many students. Especially for those considering Europe because of lower overall costs.
Their Professionalism Based on Beyond the States Reviews
Looking through Beyond the States reviews on third-party platforms, we saw a mix of feedback. Some users praised their ability to find programs they hadn’t considered before. In contrast, others were disappointed with the lack of depth in the consultations they paid for.
On Reddit, we found several comments from students who said that after buying the membership, they found the information in the database outdated or already available through independent research.
They’ve got a bunch of positive reviews on BeyondtheStates.com, by the way. These stories are encouraging, but it’s important to note that they’re self-published, so it’s hard to verify their objectivity independently.
Areas of Beyond the States That They Should Work On
While BeyondtheStates.com offers a niche service, there are several areas they should work on to meet the needs of students and families:
- Their focus is primarily on Europe, which excludes other popular study destinations like Canada, Australia, and Asia. This narrow approach limits options for students exploring diverse international opportunities.
- The top-tier packages are expensive, and although some come with a money-back guarantee, the details can be restrictive.
- Some users report that parts of their program database are outdated, which raises concerns about reliability.
- Virtual consultations might not work for those who prefer the assurance of in-person meetings.
- The team lacks formal qualifications in college admissions counseling, making establishing complete trust and credibility difficult.
Considering these things could make all BeyondtheStates services much more valuable and trustworthy.
Verdict
To be fair, Beyond the States can be worthwhile for students who are just beginning their search and need someone to help them quickly sort through options.
However, this type of consulting isn’t ideal for students who need strategic, school-specific, or deeply personalized guidance. The pricing feels high for what’s delivered, and the absence of fully certified admissions professionals may be a concern for families who expect premium-level expertise.
So, here’s the takeaway:
Beyond the States works well for general direction and early-stage planning, but it’s not the strongest choice for students seeking highly detailed, expert-level admissions support.
❓ FAQs
What is the cost of Beyond the States services?
Their prices range from $37–$49 per month for self-service memberships to $4,697–$7,998 for full-service counseling packages. The highest tier includes a “Guaranteed Admission” feature.
Is Beyond the States a reputable company?
Yes, Beyond the States has a presence in the industry with numerous customer reviews online, but opinions are mixed. It’s essential to research and read reviews before committing.
Can BeyondtheStates.com guarantee acceptance?
They offer a “Guaranteed Admissions” package, but it’s essential to read the terms carefully as the guarantee may have limitations and conditions.
Is Beyond the States worth it?
It depends on your needs. It may be valuable if you seek English-taught programs in Europe and are willing to invest. However, their high costs may not suit everyone.
Is Beyond the States a legitimate company?
Yes, Beyond the States is a legitimate company offering college admissions services, though some users have raised concerns about value and support quality.