Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. Should you buy using our links, we might receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. All opinions expressed by contributors are solely their own.
If you’re considering investing in admissions counseling for your student, this Bright Horizons College Coach review will look at what you might be getting.
As someone with extensive experience in college admissions consulting, I want to share my honest thoughts on their services, pricing, and overall effectiveness — so you can make an informed decision for your family.
Pros & Cons in Short
This mix of benefits and drawbacks should provide a fair picture of Bright Horizons College Coach’s offers.
| ➕ PROS | ➖ CONS |
|---|---|
| Many of the counselors at Bright Horizons College Coach are former admissions officers from prestigious universities. | Like many private college admissions services, Bright Horizons College Coach is not inexpensive. |
| Advice tailored to the student’s profile, from academic planning to extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews. | There is no guarantee of admission to top schools, as the process remains competitive and unpredictable. |
| College Coach offers help with financial aid, scholarships, and career planning. | Services like this put pressure on students to gain admission to elite institutions. |
Bright Horizons College Coach, in my view, falls short of their claims. Although they present themselves as the preferred service for college admissions, they lack the touch required to stand out in today’s competitive environment. You pay for a name, not the quality.
If you’re serious about getting into a prestigious university, I would search for a firm that listens to students, helps them expose their abilities, and doesn’t simply charge a premium for a cookie-cutter approach.
What Are The Main Admission Consulting Services of Bright Horizons?
Bright Horizons College Coach offers various college admission consulting services:
- One-on-one advising to help students with the entire admissions process, from selecting schools to writing personal statements and preparing for interviews.
- Counselors offer feedback and assistance on writing college essays and personal statements, focusing on content and style.
- College Coach helps students create a strategic plan for applying to colleges, considering factors like early decision options, financial aid, and scholarships.
- They work with students throughout high school to ensure they are building a solid academic and extracurricular profile.
- In addition to college admissions, College Coach can assist students with finding potential career paths.
They say they can help you choose the right colleges and understand financial aid and scholarships. GetintoCollege.com even claims to offer academic planning for students just starting high school.
Sounds great, right?
What’s Included in Those Packages?
In reality, the packages feel like you’re paying for a “one-size-fits-all” approach, like in Admit Advantage. Sure, they promise customized plans, but I think it’s more like a checklist of tasks they apply to every student.
The essay editing process, for example, seemed more focused on polishing what the students already had instead of guiding them to stand out truly. They talk a lot about strategy, but I know from general practice that students need more than strategy – they need to show who they are.
Unfortunately, I felt that Bright Horizons College Coach’s services lacked this personal touch.
Who Is on Bright Horizons College Coach Team?
GetintoCollege.com often advertises that their consultants are former admissions officers from top colleges, which sounds impressive. But from my experience and according to some parents I’ve talked to, not all the coaches bring the level of expertise they claim.
Some might be ex-admissions officers, but many haven’t worked at the top-tier colleges they make it seem like. As I know from working in this field, having an insider on your team is valuable – but it doesn’t seem like every student gets that quality of help here.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Bright Horizons College Coach does offer extras like financial aid counseling and career research. But honestly, many of these extras come across as secondary add-ons rather than beneficial services.
In my experience, parents and students seek clarity and actionable advice, not general information they could find online.
Does Bright Horizons College Coach Have Any Free Services?
Unfortunately, as far as I know, Bright Horizons doesn’t offer many free services. Unlike Prep Expert, which might give a free consultation or provide some trial materials, College Coach expects you to commit upfront. This can make it difficult for families to know what they’re getting before investing significant money.
In my opinion, this lack of transparency is a huge drawback.
Bright Horizons College Coach Pricing and Guarantees
One of BrightHorizons College Coach’s most significant drawbacks is its lack of transparent pricing on the website. They offer two main packages:
- Premier Plan, which includes up to 25 hours of comprehensive counseling
- Elite Plan is an all-inclusive service with no time cap.
However, the actual costs for either of these services are not precise. This absence of explicit pricing can discourage families from determining whether the services are within their budget. Potential clients must contact the company to ascertain the price they will be charged.
Moreover, the evaluation of their services is further complicated by the absence of a satisfaction policy or explicit guarantees on the website.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Reviews Available Online
When you start looking at reviews, things get mixed. Sure, they have some five-star reviews, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find complaints about their lack of real personalization, minimal interaction with counselors, and an overall impersonal experience.
I’ve seen too many similar reviews to chalk it up to one-off cases. In my professional experience, this is a red flag for a service that should be much more engaged, especially given the price point.
Areas of BrightHorizons College Coach That They Should Work On
BrightHorizons College Coach should improve in these areas to better assist students and their families.
❌ Lack of True Personalization
As I said earlier, GetintoCollege.com claims to provide a tailored experience, but it feels more formulaic. Parents and students need a counselor who gets to know them beyond the checklist.
❌ Overpriced for What You Get
The pricing does not match the level of service provided. You can find better, more engaged admissions counselors for the same – or even less – money.
❌ Poor Communication
Several reviews mention difficulties in reaching their assigned counselors. Families should not have to chase down the people they’re paying for guidance at such a crucial time.
❌ Limited Transparency
No free trials, satisfaction guarantees, and vague service descriptions make it hard for families to understand what they’re getting into before spending thousands of dollars.
❌ Overemphasis on Strategy
It feels like GetintoCollege.com focuses too much on “strategy” over helping students express who they are in their applications. This approach might work for some, but from what I know, colleges are looking for authenticity, not just well-crafted strategies.
❓FAQs
What is the cost of Bright Horizons College Coach services?
The exact cost of services isn’t listed on their website, but families should expect to pay a premium for their Premier and Elite plans, which offer varying levels of support.
Is Bright Horizons College Coach a reputable company?
Yes, Bright Horizons College Coach is reputable and employs former admissions officers, but reviews are mixed regarding personalization and value for money.
Can GetintoCollege.com guarantee acceptance?
No, like all admissions consulting services, GetintoCollege.com cannot guarantee acceptance into any specific college.
Is GetintoCollege.com worth it?
While some families find their services valuable, others feel the high cost isn’t justified given the lack of personalization and transparent pricing.
Is Bright Horizons College Coach legit?
Yes, the company is legitimate and widely known in the admissions consulting field, but it’s better to evaluate if their services align with your needs carefully.