How to Choose a University Admissions Consultant
If you’re thinking about getting help with your child’s university applications, you’re probably also wondering how to choose the right university admissions consultant. It’s a big decision: you’re trusting someone with your child’s plans at a stressful time, and often with a significant fee. Here is what I would look for, and the questions I would ask, if I were in your place.
In short, look for someone who will work with your child personally, knows their school system and destinations, explains results and fees clearly and in writing, and keeps their essays in their own voice.
Who Will Work With Your Child
Your child will share drafts, doubts and deadlines with this person for months, so it matters who they are. Ask for the name of the person who will run the sessions and edit the essays, and whether it’s the person you’re speaking to. In larger firms the work is often shared across a team, which can work well; you simply want to know who does what, and who to call when something changes. If tutors or other specialists are involved, for example for an admissions test, ask what each one does.
Experience With Your Child’s School System and Destinations
Every route is a little different. An IB, A-Level or AP student applies differently from a student at an Italian liceo, and each destination has its own process: UCAS in the UK, Studielink in the Netherlands, the Common App in the US, plus each university’s own portal and tests. Ask how many students on your child’s system the consultant has guided to the places you’re considering, and ask for an example of advice that only applies there. A confident, specific answer is reassuring; a vague one is worth noticing.
How Consultants Count Their Results
It’s natural to want reassurance, and a high success rate can feel like exactly that. But a number only means something once you know what it counts. Ask gently but clearly: offers, or places accepted? Are conditional offers included? Which year, and out of how many students? Be wary of any promise of an offer. Admission decisions belong to universities, and an honest consultant will tell you that no one can guarantee one.
What the Fee Covers, Before You Commit
Fees vary a lot, so compare what’s included rather than the headline figure. You should never have to pay before you know exactly what you’re getting. Ask for a written proposal that sets out the universities or number of applications covered, how many sessions are included, what happens if plans change, and what costs extra. Check too whether you’re quoted per hour, per service or for a full package, and whether VAT is included.
Essays in Your Child’s Own Voice
A personal statement or motivation letter is one of the few places where admissions tutors hear directly from your child, so it should sound like them. A good consultant helps them find the right stories, shape them and cut them down, and asks the questions that bring out their best thinking, but does not write it for them. An essay that doesn’t sound like the student often shows at interview. Ask how drafts are handled, who edits, and how much feedback is included.
Reviews From Other Families
Testimonials on a firm’s own website are chosen by the firm, so look for a public review profile, such as Google, where any family can post. Read for detail (the destination, the service used, how it felt along the way) and check the dates, so you know the experiences are recent.
Questions to Ask a Consultant on a First Call
A first call should feel like a conversation, not a sales pitch. These questions can help:
Who will work with my child, and who edits the essays?
How many students on IB, A-Levels or AP have you guided to these destinations?
How do you count your results, and for which year?
What exactly does the fee cover, and what costs extra?
How do you work on personal statements and motivation letters?
How will we keep track of deadlines and documents?
What happens if my child changes destination or course along the way?
Where can I read public reviews?
How I Work
I’m Natalia Boulafenti, founder of The UniGuru, a university admissions consultancy based in Milan and Athens. I work with every student myself, from the first call through to final enrolment; for some admissions-test preparation, I work with tutors I collaborate with. After a free first call, I send a written proposal within 24-48 hours with the full price and what it covers, so you see the price before you decide anything. I don’t guarantee offers, because no one can. What I commit to is a clear strategy, every deadline tracked, and an honest view of your child’s chances.
If you’d like to talk it through, book a free first call. You can also find my languages, specialities, reviews and pricing in one place in The UniGuru in five facts.