Stage 1: Initial Consultation
1.Which countries and regions do you cover?
Sinagpore、UAE、US、UK、Canada.
2.What are your approximate price ranges?
Confirm that their services match your budget and destination goals—skip this and all later talks become pointless.
3.Given my background, have you handled students with similar profiles before? What were their outcomes?
For past 15 years, we have handled more than 1,000 students around the world. 80% has successfully obtained admission for TOP 100 universities.
4.My target school is XXXX—what’s your take? Any past cases? What’s the success rate?
Ensure they have relevant experience and can give a realistic outlook.
Research your major and realistic school tiers first so you can instantly judge if their answer makes sense.
5.For students in my major direction, which programs do you usually recommend?
If the advisor can’t distinguish basic differences (e.g., Finance vs. Accounting, Media Studies vs. Film Production, CS vs. Electronic Engineering), they probably can’t give precise school picks.
6.What is the workflow after I sign? Do you provide a timeline schedule for each phase?
Typically, a WeChat group is created post-payment with assigned teachers. During school selection, advisors provide an application timeline; after signing, they compile a detailed school list (URLs, tuition, duration, curriculum, language requirements, deadlines, special materials, etc.) and send reminders in the group.
Stage 2: In-Depth Discussion
1.Do we sign first or finalize schools first? Will the school list be written into the contract? Can it be changed later?
Some agencies lower targets to guarantee success—clarify school selection rules to avoid forced low-ball lists and ensure flexibility to adjust rush/safety schools based on the cycle.
2.How are the number and scope of schools/majors defined? How are additional applications charged?
Know limits, mix-and-match rules, and add-on fees—discovering sky-high add-on costs mid-cycle puts you in a passive spot.
3.How many consultants will handle my case after signing? What are their exact roles? Is staff turnover common?
Choose agencies with stable core teams; high turnover means new staff won’t know your file.
4.If my assigned advisor quits, what’s your handover plan? Who takes over? If handover errors cause major issues (e.g., missing a deadline), how will you compensate?
Prevent “no one follows up,” “messages ignored for weeks,” or “missed school updates.”
5.What are the qualifications of the essay writers? Can I speak directly with them? What do I need to provide during the writing process?
Ideal writer: studied abroad in the target country, high language proficiency, >3 years’ experience. Chat with them before signing if possible. Remember: the application is yours; writers polish your story, not invent it.
6.How many revisions are allowed for CVs and essays?
Should be unlimited until submission.
7.If I’m unhappy with essay quality, can I switch writers?
Some writers churn out generic pieces—demand a change if personalization is lacking.
8.How long until the first draft? Which month will final essays be delivered? What happens if essays are delayed?
Normal cycle: 10–45 days.
9.Who handles the actual submissions? How much experience do they have? Have they done net applications for my target schools before?
Need high language skills, hundreds of cases, and familiarity with each portal’s quirks.
10.Will I receive the application email login and password? Do you handle the entire net-app process? What do I need to do?
Create a dedicated email; insist on full access. Check it regularly for supplemental requests.
11.If I get rejected, will you help draft appeal/argue letters?
Dream-school rejection → always try to argue; agency must assist.
12.Is background enhancement included in the service?
Top schools value holistic growth—agencies should plan internships, research, etc.
13.Is interview coaching provided later? Free or extra fee?
Clarify cost for program-specific mock interviews.
14.If you help apply for scholarships, do you take a commission?
“Scholarship commission” = agency deducts a percentage before passing the rest to you.
Stage 3: Contract & Payment
1.What is the total cost for the services I need right now? What possible add-on fees could arise later?
After finalizing schools and scope, get the exact total and ask about installment options.
2.Does the quoted price include follow-up visa, housing, etc.?
Low quotes often exclude these; high-price contracts must justify inclusions.
3.If I want a refund after signing, what’s the process? How is the refund calculated? What happens to application accounts?
Spot red flags early—secure account access and track progress post-refund.
4.If every application is rejected, what’s the remedy? Full refund or free re-application?
Full refund is standard; free re-apps to schools you don’t want are useless.
5.Is a conditional offer (pathway, foundation, pre-sessional language, etc.) counted as “success”? If I fail to meet conditions and the offer is void, do I get a refund and at what rate?
Conditional ≠ final offer—plan for unmet conditions.
6.Can I review a sample contract?
Read it, raise questions, and negotiate clauses before signing.
