Hiring a college consultant

[Anonymous]

Is this really a thing? How common is this to do and how beneficial is it?

[Anonymous]

Depends on your goal. If its to find merit aid to reduce costs, it could pay off because the consultant might direct your child to schools he/she would not otherwise consider that offer good merit aid. If its to reduce parent-child stressors by having someone else make sure child is completing essays, etc. in a timely manner, also beneficial. If its to get a leg up in admission to a competitive college, I see no benefit to hiring a college consultant whatsoever.

--signed parent of a hs senior

[Anonymous]

Are there any good ones that do hourly without a minimum? I’m pretty informed but have a few questions I’d like to run by someone who preferably worked in admissions before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on your goal. If its to find merit aid to reduce costs, it could pay off because the consultant might direct your child to schools he/she would not otherwise consider that offer good merit aid. If its to reduce parent-child stressors by having someone else make sure child is completing essays, etc. in a timely manner, also beneficial. If its to get a leg up in admission to a competitive college, I see no benefit to hiring a college consultant whatsoever.

--signed parent of a hs senior

So if you aren’t seeking out specific scholarships that you may not be aware of, you are basically hiring another adult to nag for kid for you?

[Anonymous]

I found it helpful with my eldest to talk through realistic admission options to more selective schools and really think through ED etc. I haven't hired yet for current hs jr...

[Anonymous]

It’s not worth it. Found it to be a waste of time and money.

[Anonymous]

We are so happy we did not hire a consultant. You can do it all yourself, you don’t need to pay someone 6k to get your kid in college. You do, however, need to be realistic about your kid’s qualifications.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on what’s available at your school. Our public has an exceptionally qualified and dedicated college counselor. It would have been a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any good ones that do hourly without a minimum? I’m pretty informed but have a few questions I’d like to run by someone who preferably worked in admissions before.

We used Richard Montauk. He was by the hour. RichardMontauk.com.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this really a thing? How common is this to do and how beneficial is it?

If he really knows the rules and the players, he can be a great guide.

If it’s a mediocre but involved person, wouldn’t help much with admissions but can act as a neutral third party during this stressful time for parents and child.

Most in the industry have limited time and skills so a waste of money, you can learn more here or on CollegeConfidential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on your goal. If its to find merit aid to reduce costs, it could pay off because the consultant might direct your child to schools he/she would not otherwise consider that offer good merit aid. If its to reduce parent-child stressors by having someone else make sure child is completing essays, etc. in a timely manner, also beneficial. If its to get a leg up in admission to a competitive college, I see no benefit to hiring a college consultant whatsoever.

--signed parent of a hs senior

Bolded part above - priceless.

--signed another parent of a hs senior

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on your goal. If its to find merit aid to reduce costs, it could pay off because the consultant might direct your child to schools he/she would not otherwise consider that offer good merit aid. If its to reduce parent-child stressors by having someone else make sure child is completing essays, etc. in a timely manner, also beneficial. If its to get a leg up in admission to a competitive college, I see no benefit to hiring a college consultant whatsoever.

--signed parent of a hs senior

Bolded part above - priceless.

--signed another parent of a hs senior

+1
If you got the money I would do it just for that. haha.

[Anonymous]

We had someone highly recommended and spent money to hear what our DC’s counselor said (big 3). I think we expected some grand insight and maybe some insight the school counselor didn’t have. She said some nice things to calm down DC but that was not worth the $ we spent. We were suckers. Don’t make the same mistake we did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on your goal. If its to find merit aid to reduce costs, it could pay off because the consultant might direct your child to schools he/she would not otherwise consider that offer good merit aid. If its to reduce parent-child stressors by having someone else make sure child is completing essays, etc. in a timely manner, also beneficial. If its to get a leg up in admission to a competitive college, I see no benefit to hiring a college consultant whatsoever.

--signed parent of a hs senior

Bolded part above - priceless.

--signed another parent of a hs senior

+1 This is why I did it. I have an only child and I knew I would be stressed out by the process and probably pass that stress along to my kid. Truthfully, not just the logistics of the application process but knowing what schools to consider, what was realistic, when to push my kid in terms of options to consider, and when to mange expectations (mine and DC), etc. It was money well spent on mental health (mine and DC's) and my relationship with my kid. A luxury, to be sure, and one I would choose again.

[Anonymous]

We hired to reduce stress and I actually think it increased stress.