College counselor rec? New here, don't be mean to me.

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone- we moved out of the NOVA area about 12 years ago and I somehow stumbled onto this message board again. Oh my gosh- this is where my people are. You guys are just the snarkiest and smartest group of ladies. I am wasting so much time on this message board just reading random topics, so maybe this isn't a good thing? Y'all are hilarious. (yeah I said y'all...not in NOVA anymore)

I have a high school freshman who is a decent student, but also has ADHD....I only say that because we struggle a lot with him over school work. There are lots of fights, and over the years we've realized we have to let go a little in this department for the sake of our relationship.

I am terrified about the idea of applying to colleges. I see many, many fights in our future. I would like to hire someone to oversee this process for the sake of our relationship. I am totally fine with paying whatever, I just want peace. We aren't trying to get into an Ivy league school, just the right school for him. I need someone very hands on who can walk my son through this process, give him guidance, help with essays, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I should add- obviously I'm early in thinking about this. I realize it doesn't need to start yet, I'm just trying to find a solution/help before things start to really get serious. Someone is going to yell at me. I just know it.

[Anonymous]

Never tell them not to be mean to you. They can smell fear. It sounds like you are thinking about this the right way although i can’t recommend anyone to you since I don’t know where you live (and probably couldn’t anyway), and it feels a little early. Is there anyone at your DCs school who could help take you out of the schoolwork struggles, like a learning specialist or advisor? I agree that it is difficult to be stuck in the middle. Right now your biggest focus should be on his getting the strongest grades he can in classes that suit him.

[Anonymous]

Your greatest resource will be parents who have kids in your school system for recommendations and have dealt with your school’s guidance office. A simple google check of “college counseling services” will produce a list showing their services. There will be packages for each grade level. Some will offer SAT class and filling out the FASFA applications. You will need to determine what your specific needs are and if it is worth the $$. You are smart to think about this early.

[Anonymous]

Self-study or self-research is probably the best way OP and ask specific questions as they come up. This board is too bias no matter what people say. Not worth your time unless you ask very specific questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never tell them not to be mean to you. They can smell fear.

This made me LoL.

You might just want to start by reading some books about college admissions, listening to some podcasts, and checking things out online. I really enjoyed this podcast and found the website very useful: https://www.collegeessayguy.com.

[Anonymous]

Marks College Counselung

[Anonymous]

RichardMontauk.com. Look at the books he's written on Amazon. We used him to get DD into Oxford. No, I've never bet him and have no affiliation (posters will claim that now that I've tried to be helpful). He is also hourly , not a package deal, which I liked.

[Anonymous]

Someone at our high school recommended the person listed below. I wasn't sure what to make of the process and contacted her. I had no clue how much I didn't know about the whole process. She has made a world of difference guiding us through it. And...it was so nice because she would always keep us (the parents) in the loop but worked directly with our son and would stay on him. Anyway, this is my recommendation. Best of luck! ps...she deals with MD, VA and DC students.

Linda F. Lounsbury
College Advising Program Certificate, Columbia University
College Process Planning
Find me on LinkedIn
[phone]

Professional Organizations: Member IECA, PACAC

[Anonymous]

College counselor here. Please do not go with the recommendations listed above. They consistently promote themselves here.

You should talk with neighbors or friends with college-aged kids and they will give you recommendations. You do not need to work with someone in your area; great college counselors know how to get the information needed to properly support your son, regardless of location.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

FWIW, my son as a freshman was also a decent but struggling student with ADHD. Working with an EF tutor really helped him (along with medication). He increased his rigor over time and ended up a much, much stronger applicant than I'd expected by senior year. Apps were actually pretty easy because he was clear on his major and the type of school.

In the meantime, educating yourself is a great place to start at this point. I agree with PP's suggestion of The College Essay Guy and also like the Your College-Bound Kid podcast. The guy who does that is also a college counselor.

[Anonymous]

This is hysterical...soooo, a person asks for a recommendation and another person gives a recommendation but another person says "don't listen to anyone on this board that gives a recommendation. Figure it out yourself". So entertaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is hysterical...soooo, a person asks for a recommendation and another person gives a recommendation but another person says "don't listen to anyone on this board that gives a recommendation. Figure it out yourself". So entertaining.

+1. And I wasn’t self-promoting when I recommended Richard Montauk above.

[Anonymous]

NP. I reached out to Richard a year ago after seeing his name in one of those threads. We are quite happy with the results.

[Anonymous]

I think you should be focusing on trying to find an executive functioning coach and other tutors relevant to ADHD.