Quad Education - Our Honest Review
Navigating the college admissions process can be a daunting task for high school students and their families. With fierce competition for spots at top universities and an ever-evolving landscape of requirements and expectations, many are turning to college admissions counseling services for guidance.
These services offer invaluable support, providing personalized strategies, insider knowledge, and a structured approach to the application process. From crafting compelling essays to building a standout extracurricular profile, admissions counselors can help students present their best selves to potential schools.
One such service is Quad Education. This counseling platform promises to streamline the college application journey, offering a range of features designed to give students an edge. With claims of experienced mentors, data-driven insights, and a comprehensive approach to application preparation, Quad Education has positioned itself as a strategic choice to enhance students’ application strategies. In this review, we'll dive into what Quad Education offers, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value for students seeking to make their mark in the competitive world of college admissions.
What features does Quad Education offer?
Quad Education’s services focus on the following areas:
College Admissions Consulting:Â The core service, providing comprehensive support throughout the entire college application process, including school selection, essay writing, and application strategy.
High School Admissions:Â This service assists students applying to competitive private or magnet high schools, offering guidance on entrance exams, interviews, and application essays to increase their chances of acceptance.
College Profile Development:Â Tailored for students in 6th to 11th grade, this program helps build a strong academic and extracurricular profile over time, strategically positioning students for future college applications.
Test Prep:Â Focused on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, this service provides personalized tutoring and strategies to improve scores, which can significantly impact college admissions prospects.
Virtual Research Program: This unique offering allows students to engage in guided research projects, potentially leading to publications or presentations that can strengthen their college applications and academic interests.
Transfer Applications: Designed for students looking to change institutions, this service navigates the specific challenges of transfer applications, including credit transfers and demonstrating fit with the new school.
You can check out more of its services here!
Who is Quad Education best for?
College admissions counseling programs like Quad Education are particularly beneficial for students who are aiming for highly competitive universities or those who feel overwhelmed by the complex application process. These services can be invaluable for high-achieving students looking to stand out in a crowded field of applicants, as well as for those who may be the first in their families to apply to college and need extra guidance. Students who have specific goals, such as gaining admission to Ivy League schools or prestigious programs in fields like engineering, pre-med, or computer science, can also greatly benefit from the targeted strategies and insider knowledge these services provide.
Additionally, these programs are well-suited for students who struggle with time management or need help structuring their application process. With comprehensive support covering essays, school list building, SAT tutoring, and overall application strategy, these services can be a lifeline for students managing rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, and the demands of college applications. They're also ideal for students who want to ensure they're considering all their options and maximizing their chances of admission to their dream schools. However, it's important to note that while these services can provide valuable support, they work best for students who are motivated and willing to actively engage in the process, as the most successful outcomes typically result from a collaborative effort between the student and their counselors.
Quad Education's results
Quad Education has over 15 years of experience in the college admissions world and boasts markedly higher acceptance rates for students at top universities than the average applicant. Check out the stats below to see an overview of their results:
Here’s one way to view the table above - despite Columbia’s selective acceptance rate of 3.9%, students who work with Quad are 7.3x more likely to secure an admit! This is a pretty good indicator of the ROI that Quad offers, especially if you’re gunning for an admit at a top school in the country.Â
Another thing you may want to consider is alumni and parent reviews - we noticed a generally positive set of reviews for the program, its structure, as well as the quality of consultations provided. You can catch up on more of Quad Education’s reviews by clicking on the link!Â
What are some pros and cons of considering Quad Education’s services?
We took a comprehensive look at their website, resources, as well as testimonials, and have summarized a few pros and cons that you may want to consider before opting for their service(s).Â
Pros
Multilevel application support: Rather than just reviewing essays or resumes, Quad Education takes a holistic approach to developing application strategy. Students are supported in crafting a compelling application narrative, selecting strategic recommenders, and adapting their application materials to fit the preferences of individual schools.
Wide-ranging services: Quad Education has the benefit of diverse counseling services, and isn’t just limited to college admissions. Younger students hoping to prepare for the college application process are eligible for counseling on getting into top high schools, building strong extracurriculars, completing research projects, and scoring high on the SAT or ACT. Additionally, they offer support starting as early as 6th grade! You could reach out to Quad’s counselors, and have them review and work with you on your profile development in middle school. This includes assistance with class/course selection, scouting for pre-college programs and internships, as well as identifying potential extracurricular activities that could give your profile a boost.Â
Specialized services for non-traditional academic pathways: One feature we particularly liked about Quad is that it caters to not just traditional public school students, but also transfer students and private school applicants.Â
Cons
High cost: Quad’s pricing plans are placed at the higher end of the market, which may make their services out of reach for some families or students, especially when considering the upcoming cost of college tuition, room, and board. If you’d like to learn more about how their services are priced, visit Quad Education’s website.
Our Review
In conclusion, Quad Education offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to support students throughout their academic journey, from middle school to college transfers. Their holistic approach, covering everything from test preparation to research opportunities, demonstrates a commitment to nurturing well-rounded applicants. While the effectiveness of such programs can vary depending on individual student engagement and circumstances, Quad Education's range of offerings suggests a robust platform capable of addressing diverse needs in the competitive landscape of college admissions. As with any educational service, prospective clients should carefully consider their specific goals, budget, and the level of support they require. Ultimately, Quad Education appears to be a great option for students seeking structured guidance and a potential edge in their academic pursuits, though as with any such service, results may vary and success still largely depends on the student's own efforts and capabilities.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!Â
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.Â
You can find the application link here
One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source: Quad Education logo