Private College Counseling

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have positive or negative experiences with hiring a private college counselor to augment to high school counselor? We're investigating but can't decide if they will produce results that are worth it, assuming my kid works hard in school.

[Anonymous]

I am considering it for when my 5th grader gets to that point. I have an in-law who works in that industry and believes its worthwhile. I may have also read way too many articles about it when deciding to have children, about what the whole thing would be like? Also, if low-income kids are given access to outside college counselors, I don't see why someone who can afford to shouldn't be able to do the same. Everyone deserves help with that step! Does your kid listen to your advice? I can already tell with my youngest elementary school kid that there's no way they'd ever listen to me, but might have a good relationship with a counselor who is there to advocate for them.

Good luck ou tthere!

[Anonymous]

Yes worth it. We hired someone this year for my STEM focused daughter who butts heads with me easily. Overall, having her managed DD's stress levels about the whole process that could have gotten out of hand. My DD is super organized and focused, but the counselor helped her importantly on a few things:
--decide which 10 activities to include on her common app (this is hard when you have so many to choose from)
--helped her come up with a list of colleges,
--helped her decide on her classes senior year. When school scheduling conflicts threw a wrench in their plan, she helped her navigate changes,
--gave direction on common app essay and college specific essays, which I thought was great,
--gave DD confidence in her final decision making of where to attend.

Her counselor is already booked for next year, so I am not sharing her name publicly but ask parents at your school, and they'll share names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes worth it. We hired someone this year for my STEM focused daughter who butts heads with me easily. Overall, having her managed DD's stress levels about the whole process that could have gotten out of hand. My DD is super organized and focused, but the counselor helped her importantly on a few things:
--decide which 10 activities to include on her common app (this is hard when you have so many to choose from)
--helped her come up with a list of colleges,
--helped her decide on her classes senior year. When school scheduling conflicts threw a wrench in their plan, she helped her navigate changes,
--gave direction on common app essay and college specific essays, which I thought was great,
--gave DD confidence in her final decision making of where to attend.

Her counselor is already booked for next year, so I am not sharing her name publicly but ask parents at your school, and they'll share names.

What year do you start this? My kid is starting HS next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes worth it. We hired someone this year for my STEM focused daughter who butts heads with me easily. Overall, having her managed DD's stress levels about the whole process that could have gotten out of hand. My DD is super organized and focused, but the counselor helped her importantly on a few things:
--decide which 10 activities to include on her common app (this is hard when you have so many to choose from)
--helped her come up with a list of colleges,
--helped her decide on her classes senior year. When school scheduling conflicts threw a wrench in their plan, she helped her navigate changes,
--gave direction on common app essay and college specific essays, which I thought was great,
--gave DD confidence in her final decision making of where to attend.

Her counselor is already booked for next year, so I am not sharing her name publicly but ask parents at your school, and they'll share names.

What year do you start this? My kid is starting HS next year.

We started in summer before senior year. I assume you can start earlier.

[Anonymous]

I follow some college counselors on Instagram who have given me a lot of insight into the college application process and advice just by watching their video clips. Honestly I would start there, sign up for their podcasts or (free) online seminars, then hire one who you and your child can relate to.

[Anonymous]

This is a very family based decision.

You can watch lots of videos online. And then help your student yourself. But you have to decide whether or not your relationship can withstand that.

I did this for my kids and both got into terrific schools. One went to an ivy.

Hiring a college counselor makes the whole process less stressful for the whole family. However, I have seen two situations where the college counselor let something slip and it impacted the students admissions.

So I always say if you have it in you and your family can withstand the stress, you are your child’s best advocate.

A combination approach can work well. College counselor does 80% of the work managing the process. And then you come in and make sure at the end all the stuff is done.

And before anyone says that students should do this on our their own. I completely disagree. The process has gotten way too complicated with way too many deadlines. They are 17 years old and need guidance navigating the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a very family based decision.

You can watch lots of videos online. And then help your student yourself. But you have to decide whether or not your relationship can withstand that.

I did this for my kids and both got into terrific schools. One went to an ivy.

Hiring a college counselor makes the whole process less stressful for the whole family. However, I have seen two situations where the college counselor let something slip and it impacted the students admissions.

So I always say if you have it in you and your family can withstand the stress, you are your child’s best advocate.

A combination approach can work well. College counselor does 80% of the work managing the process. And then you come in and make sure at the end all the stuff is done.

And before anyone says that students should do this on our their own. I completely disagree. The process has gotten way too complicated with way too many deadlines. They are 17 years old and need guidance navigating the process.

we appreciated having a college counselor but i still had to check up on things. she dropped the ball and gave us bad info a couple of times. could have been a huge problem had i not caught it.

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a rec?