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In this Top Tier Admissions review, I want to share my honest take as someone who’s been in the admissions consulting for years. If you’re thinking about investing in a private college consultant, you’ve probably come across this company before.
Parents and students often ask whether the high price tag really matches the value. So, let’s break down what Top Tier Admissions offers, what’s included, and where they fall short.
Pros & Cons in Short
TopTierAdmissions has some benefits, but the downsides are just as clear, if not more so. These are the main pros and cons we’ve found after looking closely at their services.
| ✔️ PROS | ❌ CONS |
|---|---|
| Top Tier Admissions staffed by former Ivy League admissions officers, educators, and writers. | High and unclear pricing. Their fees are premium, with no dedicated pricing section and many costs left unlisted. |
| Their options range from multi-year private counseling to a 4-day Application Boot Camp, plus essay help, mock interviews, and application reviews. | Emphasis on highly selective admissions may not match families seeking broader college options. |
| TopTierAdmissions.com claims that 95% of their students get accepted into one of their top two college choices. | Success rate claims come mostly from the company itself; external, unbiased reviews are harder to find. |
TopTierAdmissions.com has a strong brand and a polished menu of services, but there are trade-offs you should weigh before you swipe the card. The right fit in college consulting comes down to clarity, coaching style, and cost transparency, and that’s where some cracks can show.
If you want structure and don’t mind premium pricing, you’ll likely get a well-organized process. However, other college admission consultants may be worth considering for families looking for a better balance or value for money.
To understand why opinions on Top Tier Admissions are so divided, it’s important to look closely at what they actually offer.
What Are the Main Admission Consulting Services at Top Tier Admissions?
Top Tier Admissions is a U.S.-based college admissions consulting firm. They offer various services to help students through the admissions process:
- Private counseling program (grades 8–12). One-on-one, multi-year support from enrollment through senior year.
- Application Boot Camp (4 days, currently virtual). Structured help to prepare the best possible college applications to rise above the rest.
- Personal Application Boot Camp. The Boot Camp format, but delivered one-on-one on a flexible schedule.
- College essay guidance. From brainstorming to final draft support.
- Common App 911. Targeted guidance to polish and submit to either platform.
- Application review (one school). Comprehensive check of the full application package.
Their key offerings include the Application Boot Camp, an intensive, multi-day program focused on completing application materials, and the Personal Application Boot Camp. The second is a one-on-one version.
They also provide Essay Guidance, Common App 911, and general academic counseling, packaged services that improve specific parts of the college application process.
What’s Included in Those Packages?
When families look at TopTier Admissions, they wonder if they’re getting their money’s worth.
In my experience, it includes both helping with the admissions process and extra academic guidance. However, not every student will need all of these services. Here’s how it usually goes:
🧑💼 Private Counseling
This is their flagship program. A counselor works with a student across high school: choosing classes, shaping extracurriculars, and planning applications.
In theory, it sounds solid, but in my opinion, not every family needs to start in 9th or 10th grade just to get decent results.
📝 Essay Support
Their essay guidance service focuses specifically on the personal statement and supplemental essays. During this program, students receive multiple rounds of feedback and suggestions for improvement, helping them refine their narrative and stand out to admissions officers.
🎯 Application Strategy
They help shape your extracurriculars, recommend which schools to target, and polish the “application story.”
⏰ Common App 911
The Common App 911 is about getting the Common Application finished under tight timelines. This service directly supports crafting a compelling activities list, highlighting extracurricular achievements, and ensuring the application is error-free.
Useful if you’re behind, but it can feel like more pressure piled on top of an already stressful senior fall.
🎤 Interviews, Gap Years & Deferrals
Experts at TopTierAdmissions also offer services for mock interviews, gap year planning, and strategies for students who are deferred or waitlisted.
🔍 Extra Mentorship
Things like research mentorships, writing mentorships, and executive functioning support. Sounds impressive, but I know from practice that quality can vary depending on who you’re paired with.
So, all these services aim to offer a complete support system that includes test scores, personal comments, and more. However, the organized, intense method might feel too rigid and high-pressure for some.
Who Is on the Top Tier Admissions Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
Top Tier Admissions is led by CEO Dr. Elizabeth Doe Stone and is staffed by former Ivy League admissions officers, educators, and writers. That’s a plus. Having someone who has read thousands of files at schools like Dartmouth gives you insight into how officers think.
This insider knowledge can be beneficial, but it’s worth noting that having former admissions officers on staff doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. Effective consulting depends on how well the counselor can connect with and guide the student, rather than just having industry experience.
Also, the day-to-day experience with TopTierAdmissions.com depends on which counselor you get. Some students connect with highly responsive coaches, while others feel the feedback is more template-like. The expertise is there, but consistency can vary depending on the coach and their workload.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Yes, Top Tier Admissions offers additional services:
- Test prep. Comprehensive preparation for standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, including practice tests, strategies for test-taking, and focused coaching.
- Academic tutoring. Subject-specific support to improve grades and build a solid academic foundation for competitive college applications.
In my opinion, this blurs the line between admissions consulting and general tutoring companies.
They even have a Top Tier Futures program targeting younger students (grades 4-8), which, in my view, can be unnecessary and add undue pressure at an early age.
Does TopTierAdmissions.com Have Any Free Services?
Top Tier Admissions does not appear to offer any free comprehensive services. This firm has resources on its website, but these are basic and not comparable to the personalized guidance provided through its paid programs.
However, other firms like Prep Scholar sometimes offer free initial consultations or more substantial resources.
Top Tier Admissions Pricing and Guarantees
Top Tier Admissions charges premium rates, and not all of their prices are published openly. Still, here are the prices I was able to verify directly from TopTierAdmissions.com:
| Common App 911 | $1,500 |
| College Essay Guidance (EGP) | $4,800 (5 hrs) / $9,400 (10 hrs) / $13,800 (15 hrs) |
| EGP + Common App 911 Bundles | $6,000 (5 hrs) / $10,600 (10 hrs) / $15,000 (15 hrs) |
| Application Review Program | $8,500 |
| Mock Interview & Analysis | $1,500 |
| Gap Year Guidance / Transfer Analysis | $10,500 each |
| SAT/ACT/AP Tutoring | $1,950 (5 hrs) / $3,400 (10 hrs) / $4,800 (15 hrs) / $9,000 (30 hrs) |
| Writing Mentorship | $9,400 (10 hrs) |
Other services, like Private Counseling, Top Tier Futures, and Application Boot Camp, do not list public prices. However, independent reviewers have often reported Boot Camp at around $18,000.
So, families often need to contact the company directly for certain programs, which can feel unclear compared to competitors.
As for guarantees, they do not promise admission to any school. Top Tier Admissions (TTA) highlights that 95% of their students land in one of their top two choices, but that number comes from their own marketing.
It’s smart to remember that no consultant can promise Harvard or Stanford. Admissions just doesn’t work that way. Expect defined deliverables and professional guidance, but outcomes depend on your profile and the current admissions landscape.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Top Tier Admissions Reviews
In Top Tier Admissions’ case, the feedback is a mix (some glowing, some skeptical), and the split really matters for prospective students and parents.
Many families praise their personalized approach and the success rates of getting into top schools (but only on the TopTierAdmissions.com website).
However, on platforms like Reddit, some users have criticized the high prices and felt that the services did not provide value commensurate with the cost.
For example, one user on r/ApplyingToCollege said:
That kind of comment is harsh, and while it may be an extreme case, it shows that some clients felt their investment didn’t deliver.
Areas of TopTier Admissions They Should Work On
There are a few things about Top Tier Admissions that I think could be better so that they offer a more useful service:
❌ Their services are prohibitively expensive. Overpriced programs with $18k for four days? In my opinion, that’s more about exclusivity than true value.
❌ Selective-school fixation. The branding leans heavily Ivy/highly-rejective. As I know from general practice, that can inflate expectations and overlook awesome match schools.
❌ Thin free resources. Parents and students don’t get much for free. Everything funnels back to paid packages.
❌ Not a lot of personalization. I’ve worked in the field, and I know that not every student thrives in a one-size-fits-all “boot camp” model. Some need more long-term coaching, not just a quick fix.
❌ While they are more transparent about costs than College Transitions, some high-end packages are still unclearly structured.
Taking these worries into account could make their clients’ experience much better and their services more open and easy to use for everyone. Before that happens, families should do a lot of study and consider whether the possible benefits of TopTierAdmissions match their needs and budget.
Our Verdict
In the end, Top Tier Admissions is polished, experienced, and undeniably good at marketing. Yes, they have former admissions officers on the team, and yes, they’ve helped students get into Ivy League schools. But their services are overpriced, overwhelming, and not accessible to most families.
There are more student-friendly consultants who offer genuine mentorship without the intimidating price tag.
❓ FAQ
How much do Top Tier Admissions services cost?
Prices vary, but verified rates include $1,500 for Common App 911, $4,800–$13,800 for essay packages, and around $8,500 for application review. Boot Camp has been cited at ~$18,000, though exact costs aren’t listed on the site.
Is Top Tier Admissions a reputable company?
Yes, Top Tier Admissions is a reputable company in the college admissions consulting industry. It has been in business for over twenty years.
Can TopTierAdmissions.com guarantee acceptance?
No consultant can guarantee admission to selective schools. They cite a 95% admit rate to top choices, but this is self-reported and not independently verified.
Is Top Tier Admissions worth it?
Whether Top Tier Admissions is worth it depends on individual needs and financial resources. While it has a high success rate and provides comprehensive services, the steep costs make it a significant investment.
Is TopTierAdmissions.com legit?
Yes, Top Tier Admissions is a legitimate college admissions consulting firm. However, prospective clients should thoroughly research the costs and potential benefits before committing to their services.