Admissions Consulting

Expert Admissions Consulting with real results. Work with a trusted team.

96% Success rate for students' top-3 college choices

Our experts help students stand out, get accepted, and secure millions in merit scholarships every year. We work with smaller cohorts of students and get fully booked every admissions cycle—schedule your consultation now.

25+
Years Helping
Students & Families
25K+
Applications
Strategized & Submitted
100K+
Students & Families Served
(Test Prep & Admissions)
$120M+
Merit Scholarships
Received

Our students are 7× more likely to be admitted to Top-30 colleges.

Akbar's expertise is unmatched. He helped both of my children get into Ivy League schools. His strategic approach and personal attention made all the difference.

Parent of Yale & Harvard Admits
The Challenge

Perfect grades and test scores are no longer enough to stand out.

Every year, the college admissions landscape becomes more competitive and more difficult to navigate. Families face rising application volume, shifting requirements, and limited school-based support—including at elite private schools—all while trying to help their student stand out in a crowded field.

01

Applications are surging

Applications are surging at many selective colleges while admit rates continue to drop.

02

Counselors are overextended

High school counselors are overextended, often supporting hundreds of students with limited time for individualized guidance.

03

Policies shift constantly

Admissions policies shift constantly, from test-optional rules to major-specific reviews and regular + early decision/action priorities.

04

Academics alone don't differentiate

Strong academics alone no longer differentiate because so many students now have excellent GPAs and test scores.

05

What colleges value has changed

What colleges value has changed, with greater emphasis on essays, activities, impact, and personal narrative.

Today's admissions success depends on strategy—how a student frames their strengths, tells their story, and presents a compelling application from start to finish.

Book Your Free Strategy Session
Benefits

How expert guidance turns dreams into acceptance letters.

With the right admissions consulting help, families stay calm, students stand out, and receive dream-school acceptance letters and scholarships. Here's exactly what admissions consulting with Prep Expert can do for your child—and your peace of mind.

A Clear, Personalized Strategy

Your consultant helps your student understand exactly what each college is looking for and how to present a cohesive, compelling application—no guesswork, no confusion.

Stronger, More Authentic Essays

Students develop essays that reflect their genuine voice and experiences while clearly communicating impact, character, and fit with each school.

A Compelling Activities & Honors Profile

We help your student highlight leadership, depth, initiative, and contribution in ways that stand out to admissions committees.

Improved Organization & Time Management

With structured timelines, accountability, and expert planning, students stay on track through early deadlines, supplements, and final submissions.

More Confident Decision-Making

Your family receives clear guidance on college list strategy, major selection, testing plans, and application sequencing—reducing uncertainty at every step.

Professional Feedback From An Experienced Expert

Your student receives high-caliber coaching grounded in years of admissions insight, ensuring every component of the application is polished, intentional, and aligned.

Proof of Results

Acceptance letters and scholarships that change lives.

Our results speak for themselves. Below is a small sample of acceptance letters and scholarships. We work with a limited number of families every cycle and get fully booked every year.

Mr. Rahel helped me turn my scattered extracurriculars into a cohesive story. I got into Stanford, Princeton, and Yale—and it wouldn't have happened without his guidance.

Student, Stanford Class of 2027
Why Us

Why families choose Prep Expert over other firms.

Exceptional Results

Prep Expert delivers proven outcomes families can see. Every year, 96% of students earn admission to one of their top-three choices—often with scholarships worth $50K–$350K. We turn college dreams into measurable, verifiable results.

Unparalleled Expertise

Prep Expert brings 25+ years of admissions and testing experience. Parents gain the calm confidence of working directly with a seasoned expert who knows exactly how to navigate competitive admissions.

Personal Attention

Families never get “passed around.” Our boutique, director-led team stays intentionally small so every student receives consistent, one-on-one guidance from start to finish.

Strategic Positioning

Top colleges shape their classes by major, background, and story. We help families identify competitive angles, select the right majors, and craft narratives that stand out to admissions priorities.

Teaching Approach

We don't just edit essays—we teach students how to think and write like standout applicants. Through guided instruction and coaching, students build authentic confidence that lasts long after admissions season.

Integrated Test Prep

Prep Expert is one of the only admissions consulting firms that also delivers world-class test preparation in-house. This rare combination aligns academics, testing, and applications seamlessly.

Wider Perspective

Unlike consultants whose experience is limited to a single admissions office, we're not confined to one school's mindset. Prep Expert brings a broader, objective view across hundreds of universities.

Earlier Intervention

The best results start early. We work with students as young as 7th grade to build strong academic and extracurricular foundations—years ahead of traditional counseling timelines.

Selective Fit

We partner only with families we can genuinely help, so every student receives our full focus and expertise. Every accepted family receives the full attention of our team.

Services

Support at every stage
of the journey.

We provide admissions support for every stage of the journey. Whether your student is just starting high school or preparing final applications as a senior, Prep Expert offers services tailored to every stage.

Application Cycle

For Rising Seniors & Seniors

  • Application Strategy & Timeline: A personalized plan covering deadlines, requirements, and school-specific expectations.
  • College List Development: A balanced, data-informed list aligned with the student's academic profile, interests, and admissions goals.
  • Essay Strategy & Coaching: 1:1 guidance on Common App, supplemental, and program-specific essays—focused on story development, clarity of message, and authenticity.
  • Activities & Honors Positioning: Support to present impact, leadership, and contribution in a way that resonates with admissions committees.
  • Resume & Application Materials: Thorough coaching to ensure every component is polished, aligned, and strategically consistent.
  • Interview Preparation: Calm, confidence-building practice for schools that require or recommend interviews.

Pre-Application Cycle

For Grades 7–11

  • Course Planning: Ensuring students take the most appropriate and rigorous courses for their academic trajectory.
  • Long-Term Strategy: A clear roadmap that connects academics, interests, testing, and activities to future admissions goals.
  • Extracurricular Development: Identifying and developing meaningful commitments that showcase a student's potential contribution to a campus community.
  • Activity Planning & Project Guidance: Coaching on how to initiate and sustain projects, leadership roles, and impact-driven activities.
  • Testing Strategy: Integrated planning for SAT/ACT preparation, including when and how to test effectively.
  • Emerging Essay Skills: Foundational storytelling and reflective writing skills that support stronger application essays.

As a first-generation college student, I had no idea where to start. Prep Expert gave me a roadmap and the confidence to apply to top schools. I'm now at Columbia with a full scholarship.

Student, Columbia Class of 2028
The Process

A clear, proven
admissions journey.

From your very first consultation to the day your applications are submitted, you'll know exactly what to expect.

1

Schedule a Free Strategy Session

Every journey begins with a 1:1 call with our Admissions Director. You'll walk away with clarity on next steps—whether or not you choose to move forward with Prep Expert as your admissions consulting firm.

2

Personalized Plan

We build a tailored admissions strategy that fits your student's grade level, goals, and timeline. This plan outlines academic planning, extracurricular development, testing milestones, and application strategy—transforming a stressful process into a structured path to success.

3

One-on-One Consulting

Your family works directly with their college admissions advisor to execute the strategy. We guide essay development, application positioning, and interview preparation—ensuring every detail aligns with your student's story.

4

Applications & Results

When it's time to apply, every essay, activity list, and recommendation strategy has been refined for maximum impact. Students submit with confidence, families feel prepared, and results speak for themselves—higher acceptance rates, stronger scholarship outcomes, admissions to dream schools.

Leadership

Meet our Admissions Director.

Portrait of Akbar Rahel, Esq.

Akbar Rahel, Esq.

Director of Admissions Consulting

“Akbar is simply the best in the business. His ability to uncover a student's authentic story and strategically position them for top schools is unmatched.” Shaan Patel — Founder & CEO, Prep Expert
  • 25+ years of proven success guiding students and families through every stage of the college admissions journey.
  • Has personally advised more than 1,000 students one-on-one and reached tens of thousands more through national seminars.
  • Students regularly admitted to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Georgetown, and other top universities worldwide.
  • Over half of Prep Expert's admissions clients gain admission to Top-25 colleges, supported by a 98% client satisfaction rate.
  • Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts from UC Berkeley.
  • Former attorney with a top-ten global law firm—applies the same analytical precision and persuasive storytelling to admissions applications.
  • Founded his own admissions firm in 2008 and later partnered with Shaan Patel and Mark Cuban to build Prep Expert Admissions Consulting.
  • Frequently helps students earn admission to schools counselors deemed “out of reach,” through creative, high-intellect strategies.
  • Experienced advising recruited athletes and international applicants, bringing global perspective into specialized pathways.
  • Leads and mentors Prep Expert's elite counseling team, ensuring every student benefits from the same structure, integrity, and expertise.

Akbar's expertise is unmatched. He helped both of my children get into Ivy League schools. His strategic approach and personal attention made all the difference.

Parent of Yale & Harvard Admits
The Difference

Across 48 top colleges, our students outperform by 3×–11×.

Prep Expert's track record is clear, measurable, and unmatched. We've consistently helped students go beyond their “numbers” and earn admission to colleges with less than 15% acceptance rates.

College2024–2025 Acceptance RatePrep Expert Acceptance RateDifference
Amherst College7.43%39%
Boston College12.60%61%
Boston University12.83%66%
Brown University5.65%22%
Bryn Mawr College29.43%65%
Carnegie Mellon University11.66%33%
Columbia University4.29%19%
Cornell University8.38%26%
Dartmouth College6.03%24%
Duke University4.80%25%
Emory University14.95%42%
George Washington University47.10%82%
Georgetown University12%29%
Georgia Tech12.70%36%
Harvard University3.59%19%
Harvey Mudd College12.66%23%
Howard31%92%
MIT4.54%11%
Morehouse44%84%
New York University7.70%34%
Northeastern University5.60%68%12×
Northwestern University7%28%
Olin College21.70%42%
Pomona College6.60%28%
Princeton University4.62%16%
Purdue University49.80%59%
Rice University8.00%26%
Spelman25%89%
Stanford University3.61%16%
Tulane University14.60%68%
University of California, Berkeley11.40%33%
University of California, Irvine28.70%56%
University of California, Los Angeles9.40%26%
University of California, San Diego28.40%54%
University of Chicago4.48%18%
University of Florida24%52%
University of Miami17.55%44%2–3×
University of Michigan15.64%35%2–3×
University of North Carolina Chapel-Hill15.34%30%
University of Pennsylvania4.87%17%
University of Southern California10.40%41%
University of Texas, Austin17.00%34%
University of Urbana-Champaign Illinois36.60%67%
Vanderbilt University5.30%29%
Vassar College18.57%56%
Wake Forest University21.67%54%
Williams College8.50%38%
Yale University3.87%21%

Students learn how to craft standout applications that maximize their potential to win highly competitive merit scholarships:

  • Prep Expert students have earned over $120 million in college scholarships.
  • Scholarships are often $50K–$100K+ (sometimes up to $350K+ for a full ride) at colleges such as Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, USC, UT-Austin, Boston University, Boston College, and many other universities.
  • Our students routinely earn scholarships awarded to fewer than 0.05% of applicants—that's one in 2,000 applicants nationwide.
  • Students have won top awards, including Boston University's Trustee Scholarship, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship, USC's Trustee and Presidential Scholarships, the Coca-Cola Scholarship, Georgia Tech's Stamps President's Scholars Program, and countless others.
Testimonials

Real families. Real results.

Behind every statistic is a student with a story. These testimonials were unsolicited and are shared with permission.

As an international applicant, I can tell everybody that Mr. Akbar is the GOAT. He helped me and many of my friends. I transferred to a top college with a $50,000 scholarship.

Student, I.S.

Mr. Akbar helped me streamline my college applications into a very straightforward and manageable process. His advice not only helped me get into Harvard, but have stuck with me throughout my college career.

Student, J.M.

I was referred to Akbar through a few friends. He helped me get accepted to an Ivy League program and later to a top medical school.

Student, H.B.

I would not have been accepted into graduate school at UChicago without the help of Akbar. He was a good communicator, excellent listener, prudent strategist, and a kind human being.

Student, B.D.

Without Akbar's guidance, I would not have been admitted to many of my dream schools (including U.C. Berkeley). He introduced insightful ideas while letting me develop my own writing skills.

Student, S.B.

Prep Expert is a life saver! I was accepted to my first-choice college of Harvard and several other colleges with hundreds of thousands of scholarship money offered!

Student, N.E.

Philosophy

What we believe.

We believe every student deserves a clear, trustworthy path through the college admissions process. Families shouldn't have to guess what colleges want or try to interpret conflicting advice from the internet, school counselors, forums, and friends. The stakes are too high—and the process has become too complex—to go through it without reliable guidance.

Our work is built on a simple philosophy: when students understand who they are, what they bring to a campus, and how to communicate that effectively, their applications become stronger, more authentic, and far more competitive. Great admissions outcomes don't happen by accident—they happen through expert planning, thoughtful storytelling, and consistent support.

We guide families with professionalism, honesty, and a deep respect for each student's goals. Our mission is to help students present the strongest possible version of themselves—and to give parents the confidence that they're making smart, informed decisions at every step.

I was accepted into my top-choice BS/MD program thanks to Prep Expert. The essay coaching and interview prep were game-changers. I couldn't have done it without them.

Student, Accepted to BS/MD Program
Your Session

Inside your free strategy session.

Your Strategy Session is designed to give your family clarity—not pressure. You'll speak with a knowledgeable member of our team who will walk you through:

Plan & Execute

How Prep Expert's team will help you plan and execute a strategic, individualized plan.

Targeted Coaching

Key opportunities where targeted coaching could make a meaningful difference.

Path Forward

Preparing for next steps and understanding the path forward.

You'll leave the call with a clear understanding of how the process works and what next steps make the most sense for your family.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

The earlier, the better. Families who begin in 9th or 10th grade—or even middle school—can build stronger academic and extracurricular foundations, leaving more room for strategy instead of stress. However, it's never too late. We meet students where they are, whether just starting to plan or finalizing applications.

Next Step

Book your call now.

Start your student's path to success today.

The first step is simple—schedule your Free Strategy Session. In just one conversation, you'll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a personalized roadmap for your student's admissions journey. Only a limited number of sessions are available each month to ensure every family gets full attention.