Disappointed with CollegeAdvisors.com

I came across CollegeAdvisors.com and had an intriguing initial phone call. It seemed promising as a way to equip our child with valuable information and strategies to enhance their chances of getting into colleges that offer the most support, rather than becoming just another applicant.I decided to enroll and ended up spending a significant amount of money. In hindsight, I wish I had invested that money in SAT preparation instead. Even though some schools have made SAT and ACT scores optional, achieving high scores can still unlock more scholarships and financial aid. For parents looking to maximize their child’s opportunities, investing in SAT prep might be a better choice.My experience with College Advisors was frustrating, as I was constantly shuffled between different advisors who were supposed to assist us. Despite paying for numerous one-on-one sessions, we ended up having fewer than five meetings, some lasting only 15 minutes. One advisor offered some essay advice, but that was the extent of the help. Most meetings were vague, with promises to follow up that never materialized because advisors would leave or reschedule. This back-and-forth continued until we eventually gave up on getting the support we paid for.At the start, I was irritated by an advisor who seemed preachy and gave the impression that they could secure college placements if our child put in the effort. However, after paying for the service, his attitude changed, becoming snarky and less accommodating.Overall, it was a waste of money. The idea that you need to include specific keywords in essays feels misleading. I spoke with five individuals who successfully managed the college application process on their own, and they all recommended creating a strong resume, maintaining good grades, writing a compelling essay that showcases the student’s potential, taking AP classes throughout high school, and applying for scholarships. They assured me that if a school is overly selective, our child might not benefit fully from it anyway. Unfortunately, CollegeAdvisors proved to be a rip-off, failing to deliver on their promises and not taking responsibility for the lack of support despite the hefty fees.Ironically, I reached out at the end of the school year to express how little progress we had made and how we were stuck in a cycle of being assigned different advisors without any lasting support. Their response was to offer a subscription to a magazine or online service, which was more of a joke than a solution. In the end, I ended up spending several thousand dollars on a sales pitch that didnt deliver.