Did Private College Counseling workout for your DC in the early rounds (2022-2023 applicants)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How was College Bound detrimental? A few posters mentioned that. I understand waste of money but how were they detrimental?

Not advising of deadlines, not responding to questions then trying to cover, skimming essay responses and saying they were good when they weren’t, making suggestions based on zero experience, not being organized.

+1 agree. We used them too. Gave us a list of schools for $1500.00 The list was something I could have done myself with a bit of research on a computer. I was under the impression that this person would work closely with DC and remove the stress from me This was not the case at all. . Also needed a neutral party. Did not communicate well. Heck, we didn't even know which schools to apply EA. I applied to college 45 years ago, and I didn't know about ED, EA, RD. I would have liked this individual to explain this clearly for each school. DC constantly asking me what to do on application. NO set times, dates for meetings from counselor Icing on the cake was an essay writer who overcharged at $250.00 an hour. Called after applications were in looking for more work for LOCI at another $250 per hour pop.

I felt robbed. Avoid college bound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone that thinks getting rid of SAT/ACT moves the equity needle should read this thread.

Pretty much. The system is so rigged in favor of the rich.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Not a great result in early round. We loved our counselor but our Big 3 kid got rejected at Ivy ED and at a competitive state school, waiting to hear on others but not optimistic.
Our counselor did help us find good safeties and was very much a reality check on how hard it is for unhooked kids, even
with great stats from Big 3 schools to get into top 20 Schools. So our kid is into 2 safeties they really like and would be excited to attend.
For me that is where the value is. And she did the nagging for us.


can you share what a safety school is for your kid?

PP here - OK I don't want to be too specific but where our child is in for safeties but think Colorado, UVM, Syracuse level with merit $ offered.
They are also into a target that I don't want to identify- think more top 30 level

Our kid had very high Stats at Big 3. very interesting extracurriculars with very high achievement, excellent but not perfect grades in highest rigor classes. We are unhooked in any way- not athlete, alum or URM at the IVY our child was rejected early at an IVY and at at state school everyone was expecting to be a yes.
Waiting to hear from other reaches. Thank God our college counselor found the target school and the safety. The reaches for a child like ours seem impossible these days.

[Anonymous]

The reaches for a child like ours seem impossible these days.

But, plenty of high stat kids are getting accepted. Were other students at your kid's HS accepted to top schools? Is your kid applying for a highly sought after major?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think they are needed if one or both parents is willing to play the role, but some adult needs to assist the student in most cases. I have twins and one barely needed assistance but the other has needed help every step along the way and then some. Even the with it kid needed help, albeit only a small amount and mostly just project management type assistance.

If you don’t have a parent or adult willing to handle in your house, I can see how an hourly consultant would be worth it, particularly for essays.

Special shout out to DCUM: we are our own counselors when it comes to creating the list of schools! If you put out basic info about your student, kind people are here to help suggest a list (if you can cut through the mean comments without getting upset).

Speaking from experience, I can say that some of the advice on this board is coming from people who also do some college advising. So yes, there is some quality advice being shared here, amidst all the rest!

[Anonymous]

But, plenty of high stat kids are getting accepted. Were other students at your kid's HS accepted to top schools? Is your kid applying for a highly sought after major?

Anecdotally, virtually every high stats kid I have heard (other than athletes) coming out of a DC private that was accepted early to an Ivy was a legacy - almost every single one. Of course, things may, and hopefully will, look different on April 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We found the person we hired to be invaluable. Her insight into what schools to look at and what those schools want in an applicant was far beyond what our private high school counselor could offer. And, her help with the essays really produced incredible narratives. Results: My son only applied to six schools because he got in ED1 to his top choice. He immediately withdrew the other five. He actually heard from a second school -- he received a huge merit scholarship.

Please, please, send rec to [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Do you have or can set up a throwaway email address you can post here? If so, I’ll send her contact info to you privately. Like the other PP’s counselor, this one only takes 10 students per year.

[e-mail]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We found the person we hired to be invaluable. Her insight into what schools to look at and what those schools want in an applicant was far beyond what our private high school counselor could offer. And, her help with the essays really produced incredible narratives. Results: My son only applied to six schools because he got in ED1 to his top choice. He immediately withdrew the other five. He actually heard from a second school -- he received a huge merit scholarship.

I encourage readers to be careful. This may be an ad rather than the posting of an actual user. If the person was that good, the post would have named the college advisor--but that would have opened the recommendation to public comment.

I have been involved in college counseling for several decades--mostly without charge to students & families who could not afford to pay. I assure you that even those charging in the $25,000 to $100,000+ range are not as good as this unidentified counselor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We hired an independent consultant 3 years back and he made our life (parents) much easier and most importantly brought new perspectives to the table.
DD was struggling with SAT and reached plateau at one point. He suggested to try ACT. So DD changed her course and focused on ACT. DD got a 36 on ACT!! We were so relieved.
His wife was a journalist, and reviews/comments on all essays and writings.
DD had a less stressful cycle and now a Junior at a T20 school. The consultant charged $3,500 per cycle. Unlimited essay review. calls, email, text. Meet in person monthly (if I remember correctly). He was quite responsive too.

I think he is now retired due to health issue. Finding the right consultant does help the process.

This is reasonable and I would have paid for the support. I paid about $3000 and got little support

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!

Hired CC during DC's sophomore year - and where they were most helpful was in advising about course load, ECs and creating DC's narrative over the course of sophomore-senior years (including summers). One area in particular which set DC a part from classmates was the international independent research study/paper DC's undertook which resulted in their being published in a prestigious international scholarly journal. DC would have never known the current trend of colleges valuing these research papers nor how to navigate which research study programs to apply to w/o college counselor.

PP Here. To give context - DC accepted EA at top 25 school, accepted significant merit w/merit money at several good schools, and deferred at three other top 25 schools - still waiting to hear outcome on those. Very happy with results. DC DEFINITELY has had better admissions results than classmates with similar GPAs. I credit DC's strong ECs (president of several clubs related to DC's interest in business/finance and said published research paper which was written under the mentorship of a renowned Cambridge economics professor) as well as DC's strong SATs score.

What HS students writes a paper under the mentorship of a renowned Cambridge economics professor? How would a HS student meet such a professor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The reaches for a child like ours seem impossible these days.

But, plenty of high stat kids are getting accepted. Were other students at your kid's HS accepted to top schools? Is your kid applying for a highly sought after major?

PP Here no, my high stats Big 3 kid was applying to a liberal arts, non stem major. You are incorrect in saying "Plenty" of high stats kids at are getting accepted. Some high stats kids the top private schools are being accepted and they are all one or more of the following.
1. alum
2. donor
3. urm or 1st gen
4. athlete

This is the reality. NOT ONE totally unhooked smart kid got in ED. Some were deferred and may get in regular decision. But if you think what I am saying is untrue you are kidding yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!

Hired CC during DC's sophomore year - and where they were most helpful was in advising about course load, ECs and creating DC's narrative over the course of sophomore-senior years (including summers). One area in particular which set DC a part from classmates was the international independent research study/paper DC's undertook which resulted in their being published in a prestigious international scholarly journal. DC would have never known the current trend of colleges valuing these research papers nor how to navigate which research study programs to apply to w/o college counselor.

PP Here. To give context - DC accepted EA at top 25 school, accepted significant merit w/merit money at several good schools, and deferred at three other top 25 schools - still waiting to hear outcome on those. Very happy with results. DC DEFINITELY has had better admissions results than classmates with similar GPAs. I credit DC's strong ECs (president of several clubs related to DC's interest in business/finance and said published research paper which was written under the mentorship of a renowned Cambridge economics professor) as well as DC's strong SATs score.

What HS students writes a paper under the mentorship of a renowned Cambridge economics professor? How would a HS student meet such a professor?

Admissions officers are familiar with pay-to-play research opportunities, which I'm guessing this was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!

Hired CC during DC's sophomore year - and where they were most helpful was in advising about course load, ECs and creating DC's narrative over the course of sophomore-senior years (including summers). One area in particular which set DC a part from classmates was the international independent research study/paper DC's undertook which resulted in their being published in a prestigious international scholarly journal. DC would have never known the current trend of colleges valuing these research papers nor how to navigate which research study programs to apply to w/o college counselor.

PP Here. To give context - DC accepted EA at top 25 school, accepted significant merit w/merit money at several good schools, and deferred at three other top 25 schools - still waiting to hear outcome on those. Very happy with results. DC DEFINITELY has had better admissions results than classmates with similar GPAs. I credit DC's strong ECs (president of several clubs related to DC's interest in business/finance and said published research paper which was written under the mentorship of a renowned Cambridge economics professor) as well as DC's strong SATs score.

You can pay for mentorship with professors. I haven’t heard of an Cambridge professors doing that but I wouldn’t rule it out.


What HS students writes a paper under the mentorship of a renowned Cambridge economics professor? How would a HS student meet such a professor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!

Hired CC during DC's sophomore year - and where they were most helpful was in advising about course load, ECs and creating DC's narrative over the course of sophomore-senior years (including summers). One area in particular which set DC a part from classmates was the international independent research study/paper DC's undertook which resulted in their being published in a prestigious international scholarly journal. DC would have never known the current trend of colleges valuing these research papers nor how to navigate which research study programs to apply to w/o college counselor.

PP Here. To give context - DC accepted EA at top 25 school, accepted significant merit w/merit money at several good schools, and deferred at three other top 25 schools - still waiting to hear outcome on those. Very happy with results. DC DEFINITELY has had better admissions results than classmates with similar GPAs. I credit DC's strong ECs (president of several clubs related to DC's interest in business/finance and said published research paper which was written under the mentorship of a renowned Cambridge economics professor) as well as DC's strong SATs score.

What HS students writes a paper under the mentorship of a renowned Cambridge economics professor? How would a HS student meet such a professor?

Admissions officers are familiar with pay-to-play research opportunities, which I'm guessing this was.

+1