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I have worked as a college admissions consultant for many years, so I know how important it is to pick the right service to help you through the challenging application process. When there are so many to choose from, it can be hard to tell the difference between companies offering and those selling themselves well. This Veritas Prep review will tell you what I think about this service, which is now part of Varsity Tutors, and if it’s worth the money.
Pros & Cons of VeritasPrep
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| The service includes a team of consultants from prestigious universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. | While the service offers custom packages, it may still be too costly for students seeking more focused support without complete packages. |
| Students can access a broader support team, financial aid specialists, and a primary consultant. | Since counselors’ experience can vary, some students may receive less consistent support depending on which consultant they are paired with. |
| Families and students can set up a meeting to discuss their choices and get a feel for the service before signing up for a plan. | The packages are relatively expensive, starting at around $4,700, which may be unaffordable for many families. |
In my professional opinion, I would not recommend Veritas Prep (Varsity Tutors) for families seriously considering top-tier admissions consulting. Their inconsistent service, high price, and lack of a guarantee make them a poor investment.
There are better options — firms offering more personalized, engaged service and actual results. Before committing to such a costly program, I urge you to thoroughly research and consider alternatives that provide a better balance of quality and affordability. For a comprehensive look at the best options, check all reviews on the college admission consultants.
What Are the Main Admission Consulting Services of Veritas Prep?
Veritas Prep (now part of Varsity Tutors) offers various college admission consulting and tutoring services to guide students through college applications.
Since acquiring Veritas Prep in 2022, Varsity Tutors has integrated test prep services, offering students access to live classes, tutoring, and recorded content. However, from my extensive experience in college admissions, I believe they fall short in several key areas.
What’s Included in Their Packages?
Here are some of the services Veritas Prep can offer:
- Admissions consulting. It covers the college or graduate school application process, including personalized advice on application essays, preparing for interviews, and building a profile.
- Essay Review. Veritas Prep helps applicants refine their personal statements and supplemental essays.
- Test preparation. In addition to admissions consulting, Veritas Prep offers standardized test prep services, including SAT, ACT, GMAT, and GRE tutoring.
- Strategy planning. Veritas Prep consultants guide students through practice applications and offer advice to increase their chances of acceptance.
But in practice, what they promise versus what they deliver is debatable. For example, while they claim to offer “personalized support,” in my experience, the depth of this personalization can vary.
Students I’ve worked with mentioned that much of the support felt templated and less tailored to their needs. This thing is especially problematic for high-achieving students who must stand out in a competitive application pool.
Who Is on the Veritas Prep and Varsity Tutors Team?
I know from general practice that an experienced team is essential for effective college consulting. Varsity Tutors does employ some knowledgeable consultants from prestigious schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, but the quality of the individual consultants is inconsistent.
Several former clients have shared that they didn’t always get the level of insight or dedication they expected from such high-profile counselors. When paying premium rates, you’d expect top-notch advice from all staff members, not just a select few.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Varsity Tutors includes a financial aid specialist in some of its packages, which is a nice touch, especially for families navigating the complexities of financial aid. However, the value here seems overhyped. In my experience, many parents and students found the advice provided to be surface-level.
Most of what the “financial aid experts” advised were things that families could easily find online or through free resources.
Does VeritasPrep Have Any FREE Services?
Veritas Prep and VarsityTutors offer a free initial consultation, but let’s be honest here — this is more of a sales pitch than an actual value-adding service. Several people I’ve talked to have expressed frustration, feeling like they were being sold into expensive packages rather than genuinely helped during this “consultation.”
After that, it’s time to talk about the prices of their services, which is the most interesting part.
Their Pricing and Guarantees
First of all, there is no price hint on the official website, and to gather some information, I had to talk to their previous clients and even book a consultation.
Speaking of expensive, Veritas Prep’s pricing is high. Their packages start at around $4,700, a significant investment for many families. And what’s even worse? There’s no guarantee. You’d think they’d offer some form of results-based promise for such a steep price tag, but they don’t.
From my professional viewpoint, this makes them a riskier option compared to some other consulting firms that at least offer partial refunds or guarantees based on admission outcomes.
VeritasPrep’s Professionalism in Terms of Reviews Available Online
You’ll find mixed reactions if you look at reviews on platforms like Trustpilot and Reddit. Things were much better when Veritas Prep wasn’t part of Varsity Tutors.
Some people appreciate the knowledge of individual consultants, but others are disappointed by the lack of consistency.
For example, a student’s review on Trustpilot said, “While I found my main consultant helpful, I often had trouble getting responses on time.” Another Reddit user mentioned, “I paid a lot but didn’t feel I got value for the money. My consultant didn’t seem as engaged as I expected.”
Areas of Veritas Prep (Varsity Tutors) That They Should Work On
Here are the five worst aspects of Veritas Prep (Varsity Tutors) that, in my opinion, need urgent attention:
- Inconsistent quality of consultants. Some clients have reported working with knowledgeable and helpful consultants, while others were disappointed by lackluster support.
- Poor value for money. With prices for packages starting at $4,700, many families feel they’re not getting the expertise or personalized attention they were promised.
- Lack of engagement. Clients on Reddit and Yelp mentioned slow responses and a general lack of commitment from their consultants.
- No guarantees. You’d expect some reassurance for such high prices, but they offer no guarantees related to admission success, making the service a gamble.
- Pushy sales tactics. The “free consultation” often feels more like a hard sell for their expensive packages than a genuine effort to assess a student’s needs.
Save your money and look elsewhere for the Empowerly team that will care about your student’s success.
How much do Veritas Prep services cost?
Veritas Prep’s packages start at around $4,700. It can increase depending on the service level and customization you need. Their pricing is considered relatively high compared to other similar services.
Is VeritasPrep a reputable service?
Veritas Prep, now part of Varsity Tutors, has been around for over 20 years and is generally well-regarded for its test preparation services. However, feedback on their college admissions consulting varies, with some clients reporting inconsistent consultant quality.
Can Veritas Prep guarantee acceptance?
No, Veritas Prep does not guarantee acceptance into any specific college or university. Like most college admissions consulting services, they provide guidance and strategies but cannot promise outcomes.
Is VeritasPrep a legitimate company?
Yes, Veritas Prep is a legitimate company with a long history of providing consulting and test preparation services for college admissions. However, potential clients should know that results and satisfaction can vary depending on the individual consultant.
Does Veritas Prep offer any free services?
Veritas Prep, now under Varsity Tutors, offers a free initial consultation. However, this is mostly a way to assess the student’s needs and sell their services rather than providing any substantial, free guidance.