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If you want to go to graduate school but aren’t sure if admissions consultants are worth the money, this Exceptional Grad review will help you decide. We will share insights on their services, team, and total value so applicants can know what to expect.
Pros and Cons (In General)
Like any admissions consulting service, ExceptionalGrad has its strengths and areas where it could do better.
| ✅ PROS | ⚠️ CONS |
|---|---|
| Many consultants are former admissions officers from top universities (Yale, Stanford, Cornell, UPenn). | Their advisors’ expertise leans heavily on U.S. graduate programs. |
| Fast turnarounds with edits within 48–72 hours after pairing with an advisor. | The core grad packages ($1,650–$3,450) will be steep for some applicants. |
| Clear, published pricing and tiers. | Fees are generally non-refundable, and partial refunds are available depending on the amount of work completed. |
For those who want to get a Master’s or PhD and don’t want to wait a week between drafts, I think ExceptionalGrad is a good choice. The team’s qualifications, their inclusions, and the clear package ladder are all “go” signs.
Just plan your spend, read their terms, and use the quick turnaround to stack multiple revision cycles before submission. For many students, that workflow is the perfect match.
What Are The Main Admission Consulting Services of ExceptionalGrad?
Their services range from writing personal and secondary essays to editing resumes and CVs, as well as application reviews and interview preparation.
From what I’ve seen in general practice, students don’t realize how important presentation is to schools. An essay that actually feels like you can move a borderline application into the “yes” pile. You can be sure that Exceptional Grad will help you write it.
The most important thing here is getting rapid, organized input instead of random “sounds good” responses.
When you are matched with an adviser, they will get back to you within 48 to 72 hours. This turnaround is quite helpful when you have multiple deadlines.
What’s Included in Those Packages?
ExceptionalGrad offers a full lineup of services to cover every piece of the grad school application process. Below is what’s included:
✍️ Personal Essay Editing
ExceptionalGrad’s advisors provide multiple rounds of edits to sharpen your essay so that it will reflect both your personality and your strengths.
📑 Secondary Essay Editing
Graduate programs often require follow-up essays. Their team helps with structure, content, and clarity so your responses feel polished and ready for submission.
📋 Detailed Application Review
Every part of the application (essays, resumes, experiences) is reviewed as a whole. This comprehensive check will highlight your weak spots and improve overall presentation before submission.
🎤 Interview Preparation
Since grad school interviews can vary widely in format, ExceptionalGrad.com trains applicants on the most common and toughest questions.
📝 Resume and CV Editing
Their advisors refine resumes and CVs to strategically spotlight achievements and make sure admissions committees notice the impact behind the experiences.
🤝 Individual Applicant Advising
For students looking ahead, they also offer one-on-one advising sessions. These sessions focus on planning experiences, building a competitive profile, and getting ready for future applications.
Who Is on the ExceptionalGrad Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
Their consultants actually sat on admissions committees at Yale, Stanford, Cornell, and Penn. As I know from general practice, not all consultants can say they’ve been in the room when decisions are made. Experts at Exceptional Grad can.
One of my students worked with a former Yale adcom through them, and she came back to me saying, “This guy literally showed me how they read files.” Insights like that carry real value.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Yep. You can buy a Graduate application review (unlimited edits) as a stand-alone, secondary essay editing for 1–5 programs, interview prep blocks, and resume or CV editing.
If you don’t need a complete package, these à la carte options are useful for covering your specific needs.
And beyond the basics, they can provide you with individual advising sessions to help plan your strategy.
Do They Have Any FREE Services?
Two things to note here:
- They invite students to contact them for a free consultation (pre-engagement chat).
- If you have a full application fee waiver, they state they’ll waive the fee for one individual service after you provide documentation.
In my opinion, that’s rare in this industry, where some college admission consultants charge ridiculous rates no matter what.
Exceptional Grad Pricing and Guarantees
ExceptionalGrad makes their pricing public, which is a plus since not all consulting firms do. Below is a quick breakdown of what they offer for graduate packages:
- Standard (1 school) – $1,650.
- Elite (3 schools) – $2,550.
- Professional (5 schools) – $3,450.
- Application review (unlimited edits) – $1,150.
- Secondary essay editing – $395 (1 university) or $950 (3 universities).
As I’ve said before, their services come with a 48–72 hour turnaround, which is especially useful when deadlines are tight.
One thing to note: ExceptionalGrad is clear that they do not guarantee admission, and that’s actually a good sign of honesty in this field.
Their refund policy is somewhat limited, though. According to their FAQ and terms, families may receive credit for unused services within 30 days. Partial refunds depend on the amount of work already completed.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Reviews Available Online
Most Exceptional Grad reviews are posted on Trustpilot, and here, we can see a truly bright picture with a 5-star profile and over 100 user posts.
This company also has additional verified reviews via RaveCapture. However, after doing more research, we also came across some positive feedback on Reddit. For example, one student said:
And here is one more insight:
I already knew that this team is professional and supports students perfectly, but these reviews confirm that this is indeed the case.
Areas of ExceptionalGrad That They Should Work On
These aren’t deal breakers, but rather questions I would ask during a consultation to make sure everyone is on the same page.
- Refund mechanics are not simple.
It’s mostly credit for unused services within 30 days; cash refunds depend on progress and can be limited. It’s best to read the Terms before making a payment.
- Prices will feel high for some budgets.
Packages are clearly posted (which I like), but it’s worth asking about installment options, smaller service bundles, or possible discounts.
- The review footprint is concentrated.
There’s a lot on Trustpilot, but I’d like to see more across other third-party sites for added balance.
So here’s an honest take: if you’re serious about grad school, ExceptionalGrad.com is one of the few consulting services that feels student-first instead of profit-first.
From my experience in this field, I can tell when a consultant genuinely cares, and their reviews, along with what I’ve seen in practice, back that up.
❔ FAQ
How much does ExceptionalGrad services cost?
Packages start around $1,150 for an application review and range up to $3,450 for multi-school packages. Essay editing is also offered separately.
Is ExceptionalGrad a reputable company?
Yes. They have over 100 five-star reviews on Trustpilot and additional positive feedback on Reddit, showing consistent satisfaction from students.
Can ExceptionalGrad.com guarantee acceptance?
No. Like any legitimate admissions service, they don’t guarantee admission, but they do help maximize your chances with expert guidance.
Is ExceptionalGrad legit?
Yes, their team includes former admissions officers from Yale, Stanford, Penn, and Cornell, and their reviews confirm they’re a real, trusted service.