Does anyone recommend a professional admissions consulting company?

[star_n_hearts]

Does anyone recommend a professional admissions consulting company - such as Kaplan or Petersons - which are designed to help applicants perfect their SOP's and writing samples? I am currently not a student and so I do not have resources such as a college writing center or professors to help me with this process. I've been looking into this and

Comments

[freddie]

I never posted my SOP or writing sample or anything, but still used this forum quite a bit during my (long) admissions process. If you are worried about posting your stuff online, which I completely understand, post asking people to look over things and them PM or email them. Also, if your undergrad has a writing center or similar, tell them you're an alum and ask them for help; they probably get SOP or writing sample requests all the time.

[midnightglobe]

i have worked for kaplan before. save your money. services like this don't have access to any more knowledge than you do if you do your research. all they really offer is a structured way to approach the problem. and that's not worth $500 or more.

cultivate some trusted contacts, be they online or in the meatworld. ask around, you may have an academic in your own extended circle already and not know it. if that doesn't work, take a class at a local community college and avail yourself of their resources. if you do that, you will be able to find people who can help you with your application, people who have already been through this process, and you will learn get something from the class too.

[star_n_hearts]

Here is what this service entails, let me know if you changed your minds about the service:
"Wouldn't it be great to get feedback from a graduate school admissions committee before you submit your application? Kaplan's Graduate School Admissions Consulting service is the next best thing. Get expert advice on how to position yourself in the most compelling way-and gain admission to your target graduate schools."

"A Kaplan Admissions Consultant can help you:
•Brainstorm personal statement topics
•Polish and refine application essays
•Prepare for interviews
•Strengthen your resume
•Identify strong recommenders
•Research financial aid options "

from http://www.kaptest.com/Graduate/Admissions_Consulting/GR_admiss_overview.html

[star_n_hearts]

Well the woman I talked to on the phone said you can choose whatever service from those you want them to do and get refunded for the "hours" you dont use with them. I explained to her what I wanted help with and she estimated it will cost about $500. But if you want to just polish the essay maybe just $100.
(Yikes! this is starting to sound like I'm giving them free advertising. Sorry that is NOT my intention!)

[circumfession]

one of my GRE students (in my field, actually) used this service. They had no clue what an SoP for HER programs should look like. To me, her SoP looked considerably worse after they "helped" her revise it: filled with obvious marketing techniques that would seem saccharin to many in my field.

[sociolograd]

What field are you applying in? If it's sociology, I'll work with you on your SOP for way less. Just sayin'.