How do you address competitor claims about guaranteed results or ‘insider’ influence?

With a raised eyebrow and some math. If a firm claims a 100% success rate, ask them how they define “success” and how many clients they take per year. You’ll usually find one of two things: either they’re defining success as “got into at least one school on a list that included several near-certainties,” or they’re quietly turning away anyone who isn’t already highly competitive. Both approaches inflate the number without reflecting the quality of the consulting.

As for “insider influence” — the idea that a former admissions officer on staff means your application gets special treatment — that’s not how admissions works. Readers rotate, committees change, and no one consultant has a bat-phone to the dean’s office. What actually helps is a smart strategy, a sharp application, and an authentic narrative. If a firm is selling access instead of craft, they’re selling a fantasy. We’d rather compete on the work.