High School Counselors of Large Public High Schools

[Anonymous]

Do counselors of large public high schools prefer to work at lower tier ones? My kid graduated from an fcps high school that is often “poopoed” by the dcurbanmom crowd. A much lower percentage of the student body applies to college at this high school… high FARMS, ESOL students.

I feel like my DD’s counselor actually got to know her quite well, since she stood out academically. He was able to spend more time with her when it came to class choices and recs.

Anyway, do counselors prefer to work at underperforming schools? Their workload with seniors might be lighter, or is today’s gloomy weather just getting to me?

[Anonymous]

There are tons of colleges available at almost all performance levels, along with alternative post high school paths. There is plenty of work for advisors who support kids at all levels. If you ignore kids not competing for top schools. you shouldn’t be an advisor.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard a peep from our junior's HS counselor at her large FCPS public school. Don't even know who the counselor is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of colleges available at almost all performance levels, along with alternative post high school paths. There is plenty of work for advisors who support kids at all levels. If you ignore kids not competing for top schools. you shouldn’t be an advisor.

It is much more work trying to get a kid who does no care at all to graduate than to help an over achiever apply to college

[Anonymous]

My kids counselor at a large FCPS is spectacular. Always makes time and very responsive. Has 400+ kids. Don’t know how he does it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids counselor at a large FCPS is spectacular. Always makes time and very responsive. Has 400+ kids. Don’t know how he does it.

Ours too--for both kids.

[Anonymous]

This is a stupid question.
Lower tier high schools are not an easy ride for counselors. Huge stress of trying to get many kids to graduate. Truancy issues also need to be addressed. Many kids have complicated home lives that students might talk to the counselors about. College recommendations are much easier in many way. Counselors do many things besides college recommendations

[Anonymous]

All I know is the first time we spoke to a counselor was the day she was leaving. Waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Counselor has been a total stranger to my three kids. It’s ridiculous that colleges expect a recommendation letter from them.

[Anonymous]

My kids are also at a FCPS high school that many on DCUM repeatedly slam. They have a new counselor this year, and he is incredibly helpful. I believe he is like this with all of his students. I feel bad taking up his time when I know he has students who probably need him more.

[Anonymous]

Counselors have so many kids to work with. They are focusing on the ones with real issues and not your high performing over achieving kids who are going to be fine. Not to say that your kids don't need attention to but realize there are a lot of kids with terrible home lives and problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Counselor has been a total stranger to my three kids. It’s ridiculous that colleges expect a recommendation letter from them.

If I could give this post the world's supply of +1s, I would. I'm sure there are counselors that are amazing advocates for all of the students in their portfolio, but our experience is exactly like ^^^.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids counselor at a large FCPS is spectacular. Always makes time and very responsive. Has 400+ kids. Don’t know how he does it.

Ours too--for both kids.

Same here!
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Counselors have so many kids to work with. They are focusing on the ones with real issues and not your high performing over achieving kids who are going to be fine. Not to say that your kids don't need attention to but realize there are a lot of kids with terrible home lives and problems.

What a tone-deaf response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids counselor at a large FCPS is spectacular. Always makes time and very responsive. Has 400+ kids. Don’t know how he does it.

Ours too--for both kids.

Same here!
DP

It’s really unfair to hear some kids actually know their counselors and others don’t.