Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think educational consultants often know in advance but part of the implicit arrangement with the school is that they withhold the info from the client. The same closeness that creates “influence” with the school is what prevents them from leaking.
While some do not liaise, several in the area are former admission counselors at the schools. They maintain strong ties that allow them to suggest students that would be genuinely good fits and the admissions offices take them seriously. Not knowing in advance is a small price for clients to pay in exchange for at least getting the kid a solid look and evaluation in a sea of similars.
Our consultant told us we could be optimistic about a certain school, although specified that the schools do not explicitly tell them who is getting in and who isn’t. I think once you’ve been doing this long enough, the consultants know the questions schools ask for kids that are on the admit track or on the fence.
A consultant for private school? This is insane....Can you not get in off of your own merit/research?
Clearly you are new to these parts.
For many, it’s faster and more accurate to have someone who understands the lay of the land to suggest schools that might be a good fit for a kid. All of the schools are different - some more than others - and having a guide can be helpful. It’s not a question of “merit,” it’s not like Varsity Blues. The kids still needs to get in based on their grades, extracurriculars, interviews, and essays. But focusing the search and narrowing the schools is helpful.
The alternative is reading thousands of posts on this board only to realize that everyone has their own agenda.