Command Education Review

Having spent years working in college admissions consulting, I’ve seen what strong advising looks like and what sounds good in theory but falls short in practice. That’s why I’ve decided to write a full Command Education review.

So, below is my honest take on Command Education, written for those who want clarity before signing a contract.

Pros & Cons in Short

I think this consulting company is just average. It’s professional, ambitious, and helpful for some families, but there are some real drawbacks you should know about before signing up.

PROS	CONS
Packages from Command Education include multi-year “roadmaps,” with coursework, activities, and summer plans.	In practice, “unlimited” mentoring is vague. Without clear terms (meeting frequency, response-time expectations), the actual level of access varies a lot.
They market “unlimited” mentoring and frequent check-ins, which can be reassuring if you want steady accountability.	Their percentages, such as “accepted to a top 3 choice,” depend heavily on how “top choices” are defined and on the student’s starting profile.
Command Education also promotes tutoring, test prep, internships, and even career-type support.	Command Education is extremely expensive. There’s no way around it.

From the get-go, Command Education seems a bit of a mixed bag. The structure and range of services are appealing, especially if you like having a long-term plan and regular check-ins. But the “unlimited” support isn’t always as clear as it sounds, and the success stats need context. On top of that, the cost is pretty steep.

So before you buy into the pitch, check out the full Command Education review below.

What Are the Main Services of Command Education?

Command Education offers long-term college admissions mentoring. They market their services as concierge-style, unlimited one-on-one mentoring, often with recent graduates of highly selective colleges. Support begins years before applications are submitted.

Mentors from Command Education often start working with students in early high school. They mostly focus on academics, activities, and overall positioning for selective colleges.

The Command Education’s approach is good for families who want to have a plan early on. But I think that early involvement only works if the advice is realistic and flexible. That’s not always the case here.

What’s Included in Those Packages?

If you spend a few minutes on CommandEducation.com, you’ll notice they really push three core programs.

Premier Roadmap Package

This one is for younger students: early high school and, in some cases, even before that. The focus is less on applications and more on setting a direction early.

This package covers planning classes, shaping activities, and working on general skills necessary for future college applicants.

Premier Senior Package

This option is more in line with what most families expect from a college consulting firm. This is for students in junior year or later who are actively preparing to apply.

School lists, essays, deadlines, and keeping everything from going off the rails during senior fall are the main priorities here.

College Application Booster

A virtual, cohort-style program that usually runs over the summer and into the fall for rising seniors. It’s more structured and time-bound, and, according to what they say, students move through it with others in the same graduating class.

Everything that Command Education experts do is fully virtual. Meetings are online, and communication happens through hallways. The standard setup is roughly one hour per week after an initial consultation and contract, with the option to meet more often if needed.

In reality, how often students meet usually depends on the package, the time of year, and how proactive the student (and parents) are.

Who Is on Their Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?

Command Education works with near-peer mentors. They’re all recent grads from top schools. That sounds great because students like talking to someone their own age.

But as I know from experience, getting into a top school once doesn’t mean you know how admissions work for hundreds of different profiles.

Some mentors are sharp, well-trained, and thoughtful. Others are clearly learning as they go. When you’re paying extra for something, it’s frustrating when the quality isn’t consistent.

But maybe they have some good extras?

Do They Offer Any Extra Services?

Well, beyond admissions, CommandEducation advertises:

• Test prep coordination.
• Academic tutoring.
• Internship and resume help.
• Career-style coaching for college students.

The all-in-one approach from CommandEducation.com is convenient. However, convenience doesn’t always equate to quality.

By the way, I’ve seen families who worked with Command Education later hire outside specialists because the add-ons seemed superficial.

Do They Have Any FREE Services?

From what I’ve seen, free offerings are limited.

Usually, you’ll start with an initial consultation or strategy call. After that, the most meaningful support is usually behind a contract. That’s pretty standard in this field, but it does mean you’re committing before you fully understand how hands-on the mentoring will actually be.

Command Education Pricing and Guarantees

CommandEducation.com doesn’t post a simple price list on their main service pages. Instead, they push you to schedule a free consultation, and the actual fee is described as something you agree to.

The pricing figures that are publicly available come from media coverage of Command Education, and they point to the very high end of the market. While researching this review, I came across reports mentioning:

• Around $85,000 per year for ongoing admissions support.
• Up to $120,000 per year in other cases.
• A multi-year packagereportedly priced at $750,000.

I’m not saying every family pays these exact numbers. Pricing can vary based on scope and length of support. Still, these figures give you a realistic sense of the tier you’re entering, and for many families, that alone is a major decision point.

As for guarantees, admissions results aren’t something Command Education can promise (no firm can, honestly). And, as with many consulting contracts, refund terms are limited once the program is underway.

Their Professionalism Based on Command Education Reviews

On Trustpilot, CommandEducation.com has a small number of reviews with a noticeable split. Some leave glowing feedback about structure and accountability. Others are much more critical.

Several reviewers described Command Education as “very expensive babysitting” or pointed out a gap between the sales pitch and the actual day-to-day support. What stands out to me is that negative reviews often go unanswered, which doesn’t help when you’re charging premium-level fees.

On Yelp, the tone is harsher. All available Command Education reviews are negative. People mention extremely high quotes and feel disappointed with the value they received. Even if Yelp isn’t the perfect platform, this frustration across reviews is still a signal.

Reddit threads (especially on college admissions forums) are blunt and skeptical. I take anonymous posts with caution, but when multiple users write the same issues, it’s hard to ignore.

Areas of Command Education That They Should Work On

Here’s where things are most likely to be different between what we hope for and what actually happens.

When I hear “unlimited,” I expect specifics. Response times, how often meetings actually happen, and who’s responsible for what shouldn’t be guesswork. In my opinion, this gray area is where frustration usually starts.

The next problem is undeniable. Near-peer mentors from CommandEducation are fantastic, but they’re not all built the same. Some are sharp and proactive; others are just fine.

Then, remote-only doesn’t work for every student. Plenty of kids do great online, but others don’t. Some students need a real human presence to keep them focused. And the problem gets even worse if you think about how much the services of these consultants cost.

Also, mentors from Command Education push students to “invent” interests that look good on paper. Admissions officers are quick to spot that. But the best profiles tend to come from people who are genuinely interested, not from feeling pressured. That’s especially true for Ivy League cases.

“Top choice” numbers sound impressive, but they don’t tell the whole story. Without details or more guarantees, you can walk away with expectations that don’t match reality.

Well, let’s go to the final part.

Our Verdict

Command Education isn’t a bad option, but it’s not a magic solution either.

If you want structure, like polished systems, and don’t mind paying for a big-name consulting firm, it may work for you. However, as I know from working in this field, students who need a deeply personalized strategy or honest reality checks may feel underwhelmed.

Before you decide, take some time to read through all the reviews you’ll find on BestMBAConsulting.com. We’re aiming to give you a balanced view grounded in real feedback, industry standards, and hands-on experience.

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