College Admissions Strategy  ·  Est. 2024

The essay
that opens every door.

Criterion Consulting works with a select group of high-achieving students each cycle to craft the application essays that gain admission to the institutions their grades alone cannot guarantee.

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Recent Admits

MIT Columbia Cornell Duke CMU Vanderbilt JHU UMich
MIT ◆ Columbia ◆ Cornell ◆ Duke ◆ Carnegie Mellon ◆ Vanderbilt ◆ Johns Hopkins ◆ Michigan ◆ Georgetown ◆ Northwestern ◆ MIT ◆ Columbia ◆ Cornell ◆ Duke ◆ Carnegie Mellon ◆ Vanderbilt ◆ Johns Hopkins ◆ Michigan ◆ Georgetown ◆ Northwestern ◆
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Our Philosophy

Not a writing
service. An admissions
strategy.

Free resources give generic advice. Criterion gives specific outcomes. We work at the intersection of editorial craft and admissions psychology — understanding not just how to write, but how committees read, advocate, and decide.

We take on a limited number of students each cycle by design. Every student receives the full attention of a consultant with a documented track record at the most selective institutions in the country.

The result is an application that doesn't just meet the standard. It sets one.

Apply for a Consultation
0+
Years of specialist essay consulting experience
0+
Students guided through the application process
0+
Top-10 university placements this cycle
0
Students accepted per cycle — by application only

How We Work

A process built for
exceptional outcomes.

01
Strategic Intake
A structured 60-minute session mapping your academic profile, experiences, and goals. We identify the story your application needs to tell — and the story no other applicant can tell.
02
Essay Architecture
Before a word is written, we build a complete essay strategy. Topic selection, thematic positioning, and supplemental sequencing — so every essay reinforces a coherent, compelling narrative.
03
Editorial Partnership
Multi-round drafting and revision with direct, specific written feedback. We work until the essay sounds unmistakably like you — and reads like nothing else in the applicant pool.
04
Final Review
A complete pre-submission audit of every essay in the application — for coherence, specificity, voice consistency, and the details that separate a good application from a great one.

Services & Investment

Choose the engagement
that fits your timeline.

Most Comprehensive
Full-Cycle
Consulting
Complete application season support from strategy through submission. Limited to 10 students per cycle.
  • Strategic intake session (60 min)
  • Common App personal essay — unlimited rounds
  • Full supplemental suite for all target schools
  • Activities list review and positioning
  • College list strategy and school-specific advice
  • Pre-submission final audit
  • Mock interview preparation and debrief
  • Priority response within 24 hours
$7,500
Full season · Application required
Apply for This Package
Most Popular
Essay
Strategy Package
Deep editorial work on your personal essay and core supplementals. Ideal for students who have their school list and need expert essay execution.
  • Strategic positioning session (45 min)
  • Common App personal essay — up to 4 rounds
  • 3 supplemental essays of your choice
  • Written revision notes after each round
  • Final proofread and submission review
$3,500
Focused engagement
Apply for This Package
Focused Engagement
Single Essay
Deep Dive
Intensive multi-round work on one essay — personal statement or a key supplemental — with full written feedback at each stage. Ideal for students who need targeted expertise on their most important piece.
  • One essay — personal statement or supplemental
  • Up to 3 rounds of revision
  • Detailed written feedback after each round
  • Topic and angle consultation included
  • Final proofread before submission
$525
Single essay · No application required
Get Started
Entry Point
Async Essay
Review
A single round of detailed written feedback on a completed draft. Expert eyes on your essay — the same editorial lens applied to every Criterion engagement, without the ongoing commitment.
  • One completed draft — any essay type
  • Comprehensive written feedback within 48 hours
  • Line-level edits and structural notes
  • Admissions committee perspective on impact
  • Actionable revision roadmap included
$195
Single review · Turnaround within 48 hours
Get Started

Where Students Land

A track record built on
real results.

MIT
Columbia
Cornell
Duke
CMU
Vanderbilt
JHU
UMich

Begin the Process

A limited number of
students are accepted
each cycle.

Criterion Consulting takes on 10 full-cycle students per application season. Inquiries are reviewed in the order received. Completing this form does not guarantee availability — a brief intake call will be scheduled to determine fit before any engagement begins.

All information submitted is kept strictly confidential.

Get in Touch

Have a question before
you apply?

Reach out directly and we'll respond within one business day. All inquiries are handled with complete discretion.

consult@criterion-consulting.com