As an MBA and college admissions consultant for a long time, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright confusing when it comes to getting into top schools. Crimson Education is a business with a strong reputation for helping students and MBA applicants get into prestigious colleges. I recently looked into it more. Even though they have a lot to offer, possible customers should think about a few important things before they sign up.
Pros & Cons in Short
Crimson Education is a well-known global education advising firm that focuses on helping people get into college and MBA programs. However, those considering hiring them must think about all the pros and cons.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Crimson Education has a high success rate; 98% of its students get into one of the top five college picks. | Crimson Education’s services are expensive, with some packages costing up to $60,000. |
| Crimson helps with everything from choosing a school and making an application plan to writing essays and preparing for interviews. | Even though many clients have had good experiences, there are worries about the company’s openness, success rates, and how well some advisers do their jobs. |
| The company employs a team of consultants who are graduates of top-tier universities and former admissions officers. | Despite the high fees, Crimson Education does not guarantee admissions success, scholarship awards, or specific outcomes. |
Also, Crimson Education says many great things about its services, but sometimes, they don’t live up to the high standards you’d expect for the price. Be careful if you’re considering hiring them to help you get into college or get an MBA. Make sure you do a lot of research on the expert you choose, and think about whether the services they offer are worth the money.
You might be able to get more for your budget at other consulting firms; just check other reviews on MBA consulting services. Crimson has some good points, but they must work on significant issues before fully explaining their high prices.
What Are The Main Admission Consulting Services of Crimson Education?
CrimsonEducation.com provides a wide range of services to guide students through the college and MBA admissions processes. They claim to offer comprehensive support, including strategic planning, tutoring, essay editing, and interview preparation. These services help students present themselves in the best light to admissions committees when applying to competitive programs.
What’s Included in Those Packages?
Crimson’s packages cover almost every aspect of the admissions process. They include choosing the right schools, writing standout essays, and preparing for interviews.
🔶 Program Selection and Fit Analysis
Crimson begins by helping you choose the right MBA programs based on a detailed analysis of your career goals, academic background, and personal preferences. However, some clients have noted that the advice can sometimes feel generic.
🔶 Statement of Purpose and Essay Support
One key component of Crimson’s package is extensive support in writing your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and application essays. The process includes brainstorming sessions, multiple rounds of editing, and final polishing to ensure your essays are compelling and error-free.
🔶 Recommendation Guidance
Crimson also offers assistance in selecting the right recommenders and advising on how they can best highlight your strengths. While this service is valuable, the level of support has sometimes been described as basic.
🔶 Interview Preparation
Crimson’s interview preparation service includes mock interviews that replicate the style of top MBA programs and detailed feedback on your performance. However, unlike Stacy Blackman, they don’t adequately simulate the pressure and unpredictability of real interview scenarios.
🔶 Post-Acceptance Support
Once you’ve received offers, CrimsonEducation will guide you in choosing between multiple offers, understanding scholarship and financial aid options, and preparing for your MBA program. While this support is helpful, some clients have pointed out that it might not justify the additional cost.
Who Is on the CrimsonEducation.com Team?
One of Crimson’s selling points is its team of consultants, which includes graduates from Ivy League schools and former admissions officers. It sounds great on paper, but I know from general practice that attending a prestigious university doesn’t automatically make someone a great consultant.
Clients have reported consultants who seemed inexperienced or provided advice that was out of touch with current admissions trends. For instance, one client mentioned on Reddit that their consultant had to look up basic information during sessions—something that shouldn’t happen when paying thousands for expert guidance.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Crimson offers some extra services:
- Crimson Research Institute – offers research opportunities in various academic fields.
- Delta Institute – provides real-world work experience programs.
- Crimson Rise – a program focused on college prep for middle schoolers.
These are interesting add-ons, but they come at an additional cost. If you’re already spending tens of thousands on basic consulting services, the extra fees for these programs might be a tough pill to swallow. Moreover, similar opportunities might be available at BeMo Consulting at a lower cost or even through school-sponsored programs.
Also, these services might not provide the ROI you expect, especially compared to similar offerings from other companies.
Do They Have Any Free Services?
Crimson Education provides free resources, like eBooks, webinars, and practice tests. While these are helpful, they’re more like promotional tools to get you in the door rather than comprehensive resources that can significantly impact your application. In my experience, other consulting firms offer more substantial free content that could move the needle on an application.
Their Pricing and Guarantees
This part is where things get a bit dicey. Crimson Education is known for its high fees, with some packages reportedly costing from $15,000 to $60,000. For that kind of money, you’d expect top-notch service and a guarantee of results, right?
Unfortunately, Crimson doesn’t guarantee success like PrepScholar. This lack of guarantees is standard in the field, but it’s still a hard sell when investing such a large sum. As some users on Trustpilot have pointed out, the high cost and lack of transparency about success rates can be a red flag.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Reviews Available Online
Crimson’s online reviews are mixed. While some clients praise the company for helping them get into their dream schools, others have voiced serious concerns.
For example, on Trustpilot, a reviewer mentioned that their consultant didn’t seem fully invested in their success and that the company’s communication was often lacking. Another review on Reddit highlighted the high turnover rate among CrimsonEducation.com staff, which can lead to inconsistent support and a less-than-stellar client experience.
Areas of Crimson Education That They Should Work On (Their 5 Worst Sides)
These issues might make you think twice about whether this company is the right choice for such an investment in your or your child’s future:
- The steep prices do not match the guarantee of results, which can be a significant downside for many families.
- While some consultants are excellent, others may lack the experience or up-to-date knowledge to provide top-tier advice.
- There’s a lack of clear communication about success rates and total costs, which can lead to surprises for clients.
- Some clients have reported that the advice was too generic and didn’t provide the personalized insights needed to stand out.
- Frequent consultant turnover can disrupt the continuity of support, leading to a less effective consulting experience.
Crimson Education does have some good points, but these problems show that it might not always live up to the high standards set by its marketing and image.