Q&A with Sean: Getting Started With Command

A: Without a doubt, our near peer mentorship approach is our primary differentiator. Each of our students is thoughtfully matched with a Senior Mentor who has graduated from an Ivy or Ivy + university, and has the tools, passion, and experience to navigate this increasingly competitive space with both empathy and expertise.

Relatedly, Command stands out because of our intentionally low mentor-to-student ratio and our high-touch engagement with clients from day one. Our Senior Mentors are full-time experts who work with a select number of students, which means that students and families receive the highest standard of care and attention, regardless of where they are in the process. Each of our students has a weekly standing meeting with their Senior Mentor starting immediately after enrollment, with unlimited access to add additional meetings as needed.

Our approach to mentorship is completely individualized based on the needs, goals, and personalities of our students. That journey starts with uncovering and exploring genuine interests, and exploring those interests with an understanding of each student’s own context. While every family’s first priority is strong results, the families that choose Command place great value in the growth of their student as a person and learner through our process.

A: I ask this question to families weekly, and while the answers are often deeply personal, there are clear trends. More than anything, families are worried they don’t know what they don’t know. As the college admissions landscape grows increasingly competitive and complex, families are aware they cannot afford to spend time and energy on activities that don’t set their students up for success.

Sharing real stories of how previous students have been supported by our team is the absolute best way to address this question. Through consistent, near-peer mentorship Command students are empowered to build an impressive body of work that truly does stand out—and we have innumerable success stories to prove it. Our success isn’t just measured in strong admissions outcomes, but also the transformation students go through when they have support in discovering and pursuing their genuine passions.

A: While no two Command students are the same, we often support high-achieving students with big goals. Our role is to enhance that pursuit in every area—we want students to dream big and build confidence in their own capabilities. That being said, we have also supported students who have had slow starts with their academics or extracurricular interests, or those who have needed additional support on executive functioning and organization to unlock their potential. Meeting with each family and understanding their needs is an incredibly important part of the enrollment process.

While it is easy for the Director of Enrollment to say the sooner you start the better, it truly is the case! I often tell families that the journey through school is a book you are writing, and the college application process is your “pitch” to publishers. While we can support students as late as their senior year, we prefer to help students write their book from the beginning. This gives the most time to not only proactively create a plan, but to pivot as our student’s interests evolve and shift.

A: Before speaking with any firm, I encourage families to spend time understanding the level of support they truly want and need. Some families are seeking occasional guidance; others are looking for a long-term mentorship relationship. Understanding that distinction makes the search more focused and intentional.

I also encourage families to take the time to review a firm’s philosophy, outcomes, and approach to student development. At Command, we take a much more involved role than many traditional college consulting firms. Our model is built around consistent, near-peer mentorship and long-term partnership, so it’s important for families to understand whether that level of engagement aligns with what they’re looking for.

For families considering Command specifically, I would recommend exploring our website, reviewing our student outcomes, and taking advantage of the resources we make available. The initial consultation is also an opportunity for both sides to determine whether there is a strong fit. We want families to walk away with a clear understanding of our approach and whether it aligns with their goals.

Additionally, while we discuss cost in detail during our initial consult, I think it is helpful for families to know partnering with Command is an investment. While the amount may vary depending on the family, that investment is typically around six figures for multi-year support.

A: Families often initially evaluate Command through the lens of admissions outcomes. While outcomes are important, the value extends well beyond college admissions. Students develop executive functioning skills, confidence, communication abilities, leadership experience, and mentorship relationships that continue serving them long after applications are submitted.

A: The enrollment process at Command is highly personalized and designed to be insightful and productive. Regardless of whether a family decides to move forward with Command, we hope that every family that inquires has a clear understanding of how Command can support their student through the application process.

Once a family inquires, they receive an email from a member of our Enrollment team, often within just a few minutes. We schedule an initial Zoom or phone call to learn more about them, including their goals, concerns, potential challenges, and overall context. We then share more information about Command, our team, and our approach.

When a family sees alignment with Command, the enrollment process commences. This is where the real work begins! Every new parent and student completes a questionnaire, which is the basis for our Senior Mentor matching process. Based on the responses to these questionnaires, we thoughtfully pair students with mentors that we believe will be a good fit for their interests, goals, and personality (which is a huge part of the long-term success of the mentorship collaboration!). From here, every new student meets our VP of Mentorship Support Jane, who learns more about them and their working style. Finally, Command’s leadership team meets to discuss the match, and students begin their weekly meetings!

A: At Command Education, we know that exceptional outcomes are achieved through a thousand tiny decisions along the way. Students who work with us receive dedicated, real-time support to help them navigate all of those decisions as they arise. From the Senior Mentor, who meets with your student weekly (from day one), to the SAT tutor that will help them reach their target score, to the research specialists that identify and vet opportunities, our team is involved in each of the decisions that will impact the outcome. We are—without a doubt—the most hands-on firm in the market.

We support younger students as they identify and apply for summer opportunities, build an initiative that displays genuine passion, and look for guidance to stay organized during a busy stretch. This unlimited support continues in application season, when we will support as many applications as a student and family would like to complete.

A: The most rewarding areas of the work are closely tied to the success of our students. While it is natural to focus on college admissions outcomes, an area in which we are highly successful, it is equally rewarding to hear stories of a student’s development through their relationship with their Senior Mentor. Our goal is not just to help students earn admission to their dream schools, but also to make sure they are prepared to thrive once they arrive on campus.

It is also rewarding to hear from parents who share how grateful they are not only for the execution support, but the strategic guidance around big decisions. It can feel overwhelming to make decisions, and parents will regularly share with me how much they appreciate the guidance they have received from our team.