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When researching college admissions services, it’s helpful to look beyond the ads on their website and see what they really offer. This Dewey Smart review breaks down how this consulting company works, including its services, team experience level, and pricing structure. After reading it, you’ll have a clear idea of what you’d be signing up for.
What We Like & Disadvantages
Dewey Smart presents its program as everything a student needs for top-tier admissions, but there are noticeable gaps once you look more closely.
| ☑️ PROS | ❌ CONS |
|---|---|
| Dewey Smart provides integrated support: one company for tutoring, test prep, and admissions consulting. | Service quality depends heavily on which counselor a student is matched with. |
| A virtual format that works with students across the U.S. | Their branding and case studies focus strongly on Ivy League and other top-tier universities, which might not align with every student’s goals or needs. |
| Dewey Smart pairs students with mentors who are either current students or recent grads from highly selective schools. | Dewey Smart doesn’t post detailed pricing online, so you’ll need to set up a consultation to get a quote. |
Dewey Smart is a service with some appealing qualities, but also many concerns to consider. It’s pretty convenient to have all the application help in one place, and their online format works from anywhere. Plus, the mentors who went through the process themselves make DeweySmart.com a reasonable option.
At the same time, the experience swings pretty widely depending on which counselor you end up with. And Dewey Smart’s focus on ultra-selective schools isn’t the right match for everyone. It also doesn’t help that families can’t see pricing upfront and have to book a call just to understand the cost.
If you’re a high-achieving student aiming for an elite institution, their approach might be a good fit. But if you have unique goals or a limited budget, there are better college admission consultants.
With these pros and cons in mind, here’s a full Dewey Smart review.
The Main Admission Consulting Services of Dewey Smart
As we said above, Dewey Smart presents itself as a “one-stop” support service for college prep. For admissions specifically, they advertise help with:
- Application strategy and college list guidance.
- Academic planning, extracurricular development.
- Essay and personal statement support.
- Help with applications, deadlines, and interviews.
- Scholarship, honors program, and waitlist support.
Their process looks pretty organized, with important steps like giving feedback on essays, managing applications, and academic planning.
Nevertheless, it appears that DeveySmart.com just uses one standard template. The student’s application might need a little more personalization, especially for those with unique hobbies or qualities. That’s especially true for highly selective admissions.
What’s Included in Dewey Smart’s Packages?
Their packages typically include essays, activity list prep, strategy sessions, and ongoing calls. The layout sounds solid.
Academic Planning & College List Support
Dewey Smart includes help with building a realistic college list and shaping a student’s academic path. This usually means reviewing course choices, checking for gaps, and making sure the schedule lines up with the expectations of competitive schools.
It’s a structured part of their package and one of the first things students work on.
Extracurriculars & Summer Programs
Students also get guidance on extracurricular development and summer program options. These areas show long-term interest and commitment.
Consultants at DeweySmart.com also offer feedback on volunteering and community-service ideas.
Essays, Personal Narrative & Financial Aid Support
Another major part involves creating the personal narrative. We’re talking about brainstorming essay ideas, drafting, and polishing statements in a way that aligns with the rest of the application.
Experts from DeweySmart also provide support for scholarships and basic financial aid questions.
Although the list of inclusions is extensive, the one-size-fits-all approach of Dewey Smart is limiting for students with non-mainstream aspirations or who are applying to less common programs.
BTW, if what you’re looking for is better personalization, consider Admissionado.
Who Is on Their Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
A key part of their pitch is that most counselors and tutors are current students or recent graduates from the Ivy League and other top universities. Many are described as valedictorians, research scholars, and high-achieving students.
The “students guiding students” idea is meant to keep their advice up to date with recent admissions trends. Looks promising, but it’s really frustrating when your counselor admits during a session that they’ve only helped “a couple” of students before.
Moreover, there’s a big difference between being good at getting into a school and being good at guiding someone else through the process. That’s the gap we see the best.
Does Dewey Smart Offer Any Extra Services?
This company also ties admissions counseling to two extra pieces:
- Internship match program – students matched with internships at tech start-ups and nonprofits to strengthen applications.
- Independent study and passion projects – help with design and presentation projects that can stand out in applications.
In theory, this helps students show initiative and skill. In reality, in independent reviews, families said the internship matches felt extremely random—roles that had little to do with the student’s academic interests or long-term goals.
Do They Have Any FREE Services?
Dewey Smart does offer several free resources. Their blog covers general admissions advice, and they host free webinars where students can listen in on tips and ask basic questions. They also provide a free consultation, which gives a quick overview of how their services work.
That said, these freebies have limits. The blog and webinars usually stick to broad, predictable advice, and the consultation often feels more like a sales call than a true guidance session.
So, all these services help get a feel for the DeweySmart.com, but they won’t give you the depth or clarity you might be expecting.
Dewey Smart’s Pricing and Guarantees
One major issue with Dewey Smart’s website is that it doesn’t list any actual prices. This lack of transparency makes it hard for families to understand the cost or decide whether the service is worth it.
Instead of providing clear numbers, they require you to book a meeting just to find out the basics.
What’s even more frustrating is that after going through the initial consultation, the pricing still wasn’t clear. During the call, we were encouraged to create a “custom package,” which left us with no straightforward number and no real way to compare options.
And guarantees? None of the guarantees Dewey Smart mentions are tied to outcomes. Everything is phrased in a way that protects them, not the student.
Reputable consulting firms don’t promise admissions results, but they do guarantee quality standards, communication response times, and editing depth. We didn’t see those here.
Their Professionalism Based on Dewey Smart Reviews Available Online
A quick look at Dewey Smart’s Trustpilot page doesn’t leave a great impression. The vibe across the reviews isn’t great. Users discuss slow communication, last-minute cancellations, and support that falls short of the company’s professional standards as promised on its website.
What really hits you is how many people mention feeling disappointed or misled. Then you look at their BBB complaints, and things get even more concerning. For example:
- One family paid $4,500 for two kids, only to find out their counselor was available at 11 pm–1 am.
- Another parent signed a contract for 45 hours, paid $2,000 upfront, and then got hit with another $2,000 charge without warning.
And honestly? If you’re dropping that kind of money, you deserve to know who your counselor is and how scheduling works. But based on what people are saying, that level of clarity isn’t there.
On the company website, among their “success stories,” one student says:
“My overall experience with Dewey Smart was great! All of the team members were very friendly, responsive, and helpful, as well as extremely knowledgeable and well-qualified.”
However, these positive stories mostly come from self-published case studies or platforms where the company has control.
Areas of Dewey Smart That They Should Work On
DeweySmart has significant aspects that may not meet the mark, especially compared to Admit Advantage.
- Counselor experience
Dewey Smart relies heavily on current college students and recent grads. That’s fine for basic tutoring, but college admissions counseling requires strategy, consistency, and emotional intelligence.
- Scheduling problems
Multiple families mentioned counselors being available only late at night or canceling sessions at the last minute.
Anything past 10 pm on a school night isn’t “flexibility,” and no student stays sharp at 1 am while trying to write essays that determine their future.
- Slow communication
In college admissions, timing matters. A slow reply costs a student an early deadline or scholarship opportunity.
As for the DeweySmart, many parents complain about unanswered emails, delayed feedback, or vague instructions. That’s simply unacceptable for a paid service.
- One template for all
Their whole process feels like it’s built around templates. Sure, this model helps beginners, but when everyone gets the same structure and “recommended activities,” the applications become predictable.
- Hidden pricing
Families should know how much things will cost before they buy anything. And this hidden pricing makes the whole experience feel like a sales funnel instead of a service focused on students.
Our Verdict
After looking at their services, their track record, and what real families have experienced, our opinion is clear. Dewey Smart is not the level of college admissions support most parents think they’re paying for.
Yes, the company has a nice website and a good sales pitch. It’s also great that they combine tutoring, test preparation, and help with the admissions process. And yes, having young mentors who recently went through the process looks appealing.
But if you read between the lines, you’ll see that there are some serious problems. Those expecting a more hands-on approach, experienced counselors, and guidance that improves their admissions chances should consider other options.
❓ FAQs
How much do Dewey Smart services cost?
Dewey Smart doesn’t list pricing publicly. Families only learn the cost after a consultation, and complaints on BBB mention charges in the thousands, including unexpected additional fees.
Is Dewey Smart a reputable company?
Dewey Smart has mixed reviews online. While some students and parents report positive experiences, too many clients criticize the inconsistent service quality.
Can DeweySmart.com guarantee acceptance?
No, Dewey Smart, does not guarantee acceptance. They offer guidance and support to strengthen your application, but clarify that outcomes depend on several factors beyond their control.
Is Dewey Smart legit?
Yes, Dewey Smart is a legitimate college admissions consulting service. They offer various services, such as admissions counseling, test preparation, and academic tutoring.