Hiring college counselor in 8th grade

[Anonymous]

I was recently talking to an admissions officer from a fairly selective university (but not Ivy or T20 or anything) who told me it's best for kids to meet with a counselor starting in 8th grade to ensure their high school academic choices are on track. I pointed out that most middle schools don't offer this, and he replied that in that case, hiring a private counselor is suggested. This is insane, right?

[Anonymous]

People do it but yes, absurd. For what it’s worth the people I know who were most obsessed with college and hiring private counselors ended up with exactly the same kinds of outcomes as the families who did none of those things. Use common sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People do it but yes, absurd. For what it’s worth the people I know who were most obsessed with college and hiring private counselors ended up with exactly the same kinds of outcomes as the families who did none of those things. Use common sense.

Common sense is what made me question it. On the other hand, this was an actual AO...

[Anonymous]

I'd assume that the admissions officer is hoping to go into the lucrative business of separating fools from their money at some point in the future.

[Anonymous]

If affordable, then it depends upon whether hiring a private college counselor will create more stress or will it alleviate stress on the student and the family with respect to the college admissions process.

[Anonymous]

I did in 9th grade. It was a woman who is very familiar with DS's school so she knew which classes to take and which clubs to target. It was about $500 for 2 years. I did it because DS had no motivation and no interests and it was a way to get him to plan out his classes and HS career that would be more college-focused.

[Anonymous]

I did it for my 8th grader. He's 2e and in a non public. Many classes offered at comprehensive schools are not offered at his school. There are no activities offered at his school. The counselor at his school is pretty clueless when it comes to college admissions. I need help figuring out which classes to take at school, which to take through DE, and which should be taken outside of school through online AP courses. I also need help finding activities that interest him where he can eventually rise to a leadership role. He doesn't like scouts, chess, or music.

For me, I feel that it makes sense but I know I have the outlier case. If people on here think I'm parting with my money for no reason, I'm happy to listen and crowd source advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd assume that the admissions officer is hoping to go into the lucrative business of separating fools from their money at some point in the future.

Hmmm, possibly. But since I know some middle schools have college counseling for 8th graders, I'm not entirely sure that's correct. This was a West Point AO, if it matters. Maybe it does since the requirements are a bit different?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did it for my 8th grader. He's 2e and in a non public. Many classes offered at comprehensive schools are not offered at his school. There are no activities offered at his school. The counselor at his school is pretty clueless when it comes to college admissions. I need help figuring out which classes to take at school, which to take through DE, and which should be taken outside of school through online AP courses. I also need help finding activities that interest him where he can eventually rise to a leadership role. He doesn't like scouts, chess, or music.

For me, I feel that it makes sense but I know I have the outlier case. If people on here think I'm parting with my money for no reason, I'm happy to listen and crowd source advice.

This makes sense. Our high school doesn't offer many APs or ECs either, and I know it'll be easy for our middle schooler to just float along and wind up surprised senior year.

[Anonymous]

I seriously doubt an AO pushed this idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I seriously doubt an AO pushed this idea.

He didn't push. He suggested we started to the school's counselor in 8th grade to make sure DS was on the right track for admissions, and when I said ours didn't have one, he said he would seriously consider paying one just for track discussions.

[Anonymous]

Jesus Christ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I seriously doubt an AO pushed this idea.

He didn't push. He suggested we started to the school's counselor in 8th grade to make sure DS was on the right track for admissions, and when I said ours didn't have one, he said he would seriously consider paying one just for track discussions.

Generally, AOs don't like independent consultant industry. Maybe you talked to a reader or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I seriously doubt an AO pushed this idea.

He didn't push. He suggested we started to the school's counselor in 8th grade to make sure DS was on the right track for admissions, and when I said ours didn't have one, he said he would seriously consider paying one just for track discussions.

Generally, AOs don't like independent consultant industry. Maybe you talked to a reader or something.

I am aware of who I talked to. And like I said, he never pushed a independent consultant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I seriously doubt an AO pushed this idea.

He didn't push. He suggested we started to the school's counselor in 8th grade to make sure DS was on the right track for admissions, and when I said ours didn't have one, he said he would seriously consider paying one just for track discussions.

This is much different from the OP statement.
Yes, your child should think about course selection in 8th grade. Yes, your child should get adult advice. But if you do your own research or use the free and abundant resources on DCUM, you don't need to hire a counselor.
Just look at the options in the school bulletin, and sketch a 4 year plan based on abilities and interests.