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~$2,500–$6,000 depending on grade level and package· #2
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Empowerly

Empowerly

Empowerly

Data-driven college counseling with dedicated essay support and a strong track record at selective schools

Empowerly earns its runner-up position through a combination of strong published outcomes, dedicated essay specialists, and a more data-informed approach to school list building than most competitors. The dual-counselor model — a general strategist plus a writing specialist — means essay coaching gets real depth rather than being a secondary responsibility. Families who start early (sophomore year or earlier) get the most out of the investment.

✓ Pros

  • Published acceptance rate data and outcome reporting add transparency rare in the college counseling industry
  • Dedicated essay specialists work alongside general counselors — students get subject-matter depth on writing
  • Platform tools for tracking deadlines, school lists, and supplemental essays keep the process organized

✕ Cons

  • Premium pricing puts it out of reach for many families without financial flexibility
  • Earlier grade enrollment (9th–10th) produces better results but increases total cost

Scores

Overall
9
CounselorExpertise
9.1
AcceptanceResults
9.3
Approach
8.8
StudentSupport
9.2
Value
7.9