Cambridge Coaching
Cambridge Coaching is a well-known college counseling program that offers both academic tutoring and personalized admissions support. But with so many services out there, is Cambridge Coaching worth the investment? This in-depth review breaks down what they offer, how they work, and whether they’re the right fit for your student.
Cambridge Coaching was founded in 2005 by a group of Harvard graduate students. The company focuses primarily on tutoring services and helping students improve their grades and/or test scores to get into their dream college. They offer tutors in all academic subjects, as well as standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. Cambridge Coaching is known for being very selective in who they hire. Each of their tutors have scored in the 99th percentile of the exam they’re tutoring, and many are PhD candidates at top universities as well as recipients of teaching awards at their universities.
Cambridge Coaching also counsels on college admissions. Students can receive help with standardized tests, personal statements, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and more. Their admissions advising is customized to the student, with options for hourly help or comprehensive packages.
Services Offered
Academic Tutoring
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- History
- Social Sciences
- English
Standardized Test Prep
- SAT
- ACT
- PSAT
- AP Exams
- SSAT
- ISEE
College Application Counseling
- College list building and strategy
- Personal statement and supplemental essay coaching
- Extracurricular guidance
- Letter of recommendation advice
- Application editing and review
- Interview preparation
- Early action/early decision strategy
Locations
Cambridge Coaching is headquartered in Cambridge, MA and has physical locations in a few major U.S. cities. However, services are also available remotely to students worldwide.
In-Person Locations:
- Boston, MA
- Cambridge, MA
- New York City, NY
Pricing
Tutoring prices vary depending on the subject being tutored and the expertise of the tutor, but they generally range from $155-$395+ per hour, with discounts for purchasing certain amounts of hours at once.
Admissions consulting ranges from $180–$350/hour.
Comprehensive packages for multi-month college application advising programs are custom-quoted but often fall in the $10,000–$20,000+ range for yearlong support.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: Is Cambridge Coaching Right for You?
If you’re able to pay top dollar for tutoring, Cambridge Coaching may be a good fit for your child. They put a lot of effort into selecting tutors who are effective, personable, and highly qualified, and they offer tutoring for practically any subject or exam your child might need help with. Many students and their parents are happy with their tutors and feel they significantly helped them in areas they were struggling in.
However, their high cost means tutoring can quickly add up to thousands (or tens of thousands of dollars) which puts it out of reach for many families. Additionally, while they offer overall college admissions packages, tutoring is really their strength and a significant reason for their high cost.
Cambridge Coaching is a good fit for high-achieving students who want expert, one-on-one tutoring and who are motivated enough to justify the high price tag.