Has Anyone Used College Admission Services Like Empowerly, Accept U, or Other Options?

In the quest for a competitive college application, many students and parents seek out specialized services to ensure their applications are as strong as possible. Popular services like Accept U and Empowerly offer essay editing and guidance, but the value of these services is often questioned. In this article, we delve into the experiences of a parent who has used Accept U, along with reflections on Empowerly, to provide an insider's view of these college counseling services.

Feedback on Accept U

I recently had the opportunity to use Accept U for my son's college admissions counseling, and my experience was far from satisfactory. Here are the key issues I encountered:

Inadequate Guidance

Specific points and details about the application process were not adequately covered.

Limited Availability

We were only allotted 30 minutes per week, despite booking unlimited hours. Appointments were often canceled due to the counselor's unavailability.

Insufficient Essay Assistance

There was a lack of support in improving my son's college essays.

Lack of Activity Identification

No help was provided in identifying key activities that would enhance his application.

Minimal Resource Direction

Guidance on courses of study, financial aid, scholarships, and other important information was minimal or absent.

Disappointment in Results

We feel that we made a mistake by engaging this service as we did not get any colleges identified by the counselors reach.

Lack of Specific Guidance

My son believes he wrote his best application to the last college he applied to, but there was no guidance on specific points that colleges look for.

Reflecting on Empowerly

My son and I chose Empowerly based on a friend's recommendation, but now I regret our decision. Empowerly offered us a counselor who was primarily a PHD student from Harvard Law School, with the main goal being to direct my son in the admissions process and provide a consistent structure.

Low Specialization and Flexibility

The counselor was all about Humanities, and they said they didn't have many specializing in STEM. My son was unable to find a consistent counseling structure, with the counselor offering appointments when needed with monthly breaks.

Communication Issues and Last-Minute Rushes

My son took appointments on demand, with little to no structure and the counselor not checking in regularly. I had to manage both my son and a counselor, with frequent lack of communication leading to last-minute scrambling for deadlines.

My take: Empowerly seems to have a system where they hire whatever professionals they can find and who are already busy with their main activity (studies or work) to do counseling on the side. This approach means they don't have to pay these people much, hence the lower pricing but also the lack of structured support and professionalism.

Conclusion

Based on the experiences shared, both Accept U and Empowerly fall short in providing comprehensive and effective college admission counseling. It is crucial for parents and students to carefully evaluate these services before investing their time and money. Alternative services and DIY strategies might prove more fruitful, offering a more personalized and high-quality experience with better communication and guidance. If you have additional details or experiences to share, your feedback can help others make informed decisions.