Seems like OP is gone, but the best recommendation on this thread if OP is determined to hire this ‘team’, is to pay them for an hour or two at an agreed upon hourly rate to look at her essays. I am in the camp that the essays are unlikely to overcome the lowish ACT.
As for these statements:
@dubner wrote
@onemorekid wrote
Many admissions professionals embrace working with independent counselors. AOs routinely meet with single and/or groups of independents during the fall when they are traveling for HS presentations. They routinely take calls from independents, who tend to know their students well.
It’s primarily independent counselors who provide pro-bono services at the hundreds of community based organizations focused on guiding low SES and/or URMs and/or first-gens through HS and the college admissions process.
For those who choose to work with independent counselors make sure to get local referrals, and check references, educational background, and memberships in professional associations.