New Mentorship Craze Upending College Admissions

Students seated in a lecture hall listening to a presentation

A new mentorship model is transforming college admissions, challenging traditional methods and raising questions about access and equity.

Story Overview

Mentorship emphasizes authentic passion and soft skills in college admissions.
The education consulting market is rapidly expanding due to mentorship demand.
Demographic shifts and new criteria reshape admissions processes.
Concerns about access and equity as mentorship benefits those who can afford it.

Mentorship Shifts College Admissions Focus

Mentorship is revolutionizing the college admissions landscape, focusing on authentic passion, soft skills, and community engagement over traditional résumé-building. This shift is driven by near-peer mentors, often recent graduates from elite institutions, who provide personalized guidance to high school students. By cultivating genuine interests and aligning activities with long-term goals, these mentors enhance students’ applications and future prospects.

Since the early 2010s, the college admissions consulting industry has grown, with personalized mentorship models surging from 2018 to 2023. Firms like Command Education emphasize near-peer guidance, which has now become a mainstream strategy amid demographic shifts and increased student pressure. This shift marks a departure from checklist-driven application supports, focusing instead on holistic student development.

Key Stakeholders and Roles

Students, parents, and mentors are central to this evolving landscape. High school students aim for elite college admissions, seeking mentorship for personal growth and guidance. Parents invest in these services for their children’s academic and personal development. Mentors, often recent Ivy League graduates, provide relatable guidance, fostering authentic interests and building student confidence.

Consulting firms, such as Command Education, compete by innovating service models, while college admissions officers seek applicants who demonstrate genuine passion and potential. These dynamics create a competitive market, prompting a projected doubling of the education consulting service market by 2032.

Current Developments and Impact Analysis

Mentorship models are increasingly adopted, reporting high acceptance rates for students using these services. Early engagement, starting as early as middle school, is recommended for optimal results. Authentic passion and community impact have emerged as key differentiators in applications, marking a significant departure from résumé-padding strategies.

The expansion of mentorship-based consulting has implications for access and equity. While mentored students see increased acceptance rates and greater preparedness, rising costs and competition for services could narrow access for those unable to afford them. This stratification could widen gaps in college admissions, raising concerns about social equity.

Command Education’s mentors lead teens to the college of their dreams https://t.co/TQ6hEePso2 pic.twitter.com/kRE8Efrdje

— New York Post (@nypost) September 4, 2025

In the long term, this mentorship approach may shift admissions criteria toward authentic, sustained engagement, potentially reducing student stress and anxiety. However, demographic shifts and market saturation could alter the landscape, affecting future access and competition.