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The Princeton Review

If your child is applying to college, you’re probably thinking about ways to support them throughout admissions season. Working with college admissions services, like the Princeton Review, is one option for helping your student find a strategy for college applications. The Princeton Review helps students from kindergarten through 12th grade with every aspect of the college admissions process. But how do you know if this service is the right fit for your student? Keep reading to learn more.

Founded in 1981, the Princeton Review began as a provider of SAT and ACT prep books and later expanded to provide test prep tutoring, college admissions tips, and research on colleges and universities. Princeton Review aims to help students of all ages realize their full potential throughout their academic journey and get accepted to the college of their dreams. 

In addition to SAT/ACT tutoring and college admissions counseling, Princeton Review offers a broad spectrum of homework and academic tutoring. They also provide test prep services for standardized tests that students encounter throughout school, from elementary all the way up to AP and IB exams in high school. By providing academic support throughout the K-12 journey, the Princeton Review not only helps students with applying to college, but also with building a strong academic record that will enhance their profile as a college applicant later on.

Services Offered

K-8 Students

  • Live online math tutoring
  • Live online tutoring for any subject
  • SSAT tutoring
  • ISEE tutoring
  • SHSAT tutoring

High School Students

  • Self-paced, online PSAT, SAT, and ACT courses
  • PSAT, SAT, and ACT personalized tutoring
  • AP self-paced courses and tutoring
  • Academic and homework tutoring
  • College application and essay review 
  • One-on-one admissions counseling

Locations

The Princeton Review is headquartered in New York City, with an additional office located in San Francisco. Most services are offered online in a virtual format, but this company also offers classroom and tutoring programs in most cities across the U.S. and Canada.

Pricing

The cost of Princeton Review services vary based on your exact needs. As of May 2025, their premium college admissions counseling packages range from $299 for a la carte strategy sessions to $14,999 for all-inclusive admissions counseling.

Pros and Cons

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Pros

  • Wide array of academic support for students starting in kindergarten
  • Broad offering of a la carte test prep and admissions coaching services
  • Emphasis on test score improvement can help students get accepted to their dream school
  • Performance-based money back guarantee

Cons

  • Strict requirements for enrolling in score increase-guaranteed courses 
  • Tutoring and test score improvement packages lack personalization
  • Quality of tutoring instructors can vary
  • Money-back guarantee includes fine print that can make obtaining a refund difficult

Bottom Line: 
Is the Princeton Review Right for You?

The Princeton Review has something for every student at every educational level. With years of experience developing and honing a huge repository of materials, the Princeton Review is able to provide students with tried and tested strategies to help them with every aspect of their academic journey. Unlike other companies, many of these services are offered both online and in-person, providing multiple formats for students to choose from based on their learning preferences. 

While the Princeton Review offers a diverse suite of services, test prep is their bread and butter. Their test score improvement programs get results, but their rigidly standardized format has made some students feel like Princeton Review programs lack personalization. Students seeking relationship-based coaching that can be customized to their exact needs may want to work with a company that’s more focused on building a strong connection as the basis for college admissions success.