Private School Outside College Counselor

[Anonymous]

My child is at a private school and we are considering supplementing with a private college counselor. We don't feel like we are getting a lot from the school and the clock is ticking. We are full pay but not wealthy by NYC standards. We have names of a few people who are good but not premium. We don't really know any families with older kids at the school well enough to ask. We went to top schools and our child is likely on track for Ivy+, or at least close.

Is this common in NYC? And please note, I'm not comparing myself to the "I have generational wealth and a kid at Trinity and also spend $100k on a counselor" types. If you do this, do you tell the school?

Apologies if this has been discussed in another thread - I did a quick search and didn't see a great answer. I think I have seen it on the college thread but I don't care about DMV and St. Alban's or Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

This is the sort of thing that starts when your child is entering at 9th grade, to curate the resume.

[Anonymous]

We are beyond that. But doing the best we can. Resume is pretty well curated. Not ideal, but in pretty good shape with some good things coming up that are impressive, meaningful and sincere (i.e. don't appear totally manufactured).

Do other people hire an outside counselor?

[Anonymous]

Yes, people hire outside counselors or an essay coach. Do not tell the school counselor that you have outside help.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the school. Is the student body 130 kids or 60 kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the school. Is the student body 130 kids or 60 kids.

Why does the class size matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the school. Is the student body 130 kids or 60 kids.

Why does the class size matter?

Depending on the school, the attention of the college counselors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the school. Is the student body 130 kids or 60 kids.

Why does the class size matter?

Depending on the school, the attention of the college counselors.

Don’t bigger schools just have more counselors? Trinity and HM are pretty big and seem to do fine? Or am I wrong and their college counseling is bad and everyone is supplementing?

[Anonymous]

I am a private counselor and a number of NYC private school students do hire them, but don't tell your school counselor.

I had a student do this without my advice and it wasn't a great reaction from their counselor. But that kid did end up at HYP.

[Anonymous]

We are doing this. My kid is about to start 9th and we are hiring someone to work with them throughout high school. The people we’ve talked to have quoted us 20-25k over the course of 4 years. We are not rich and weren’t looking for ultra high end. I know people who have used coaches later in high school for things like essay writing with good results. My experience with high school admissions, while good, has led me to believe that you’ll probably not get the level of support you might expect from these counselors at the school despite the high tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a private counselor and a number of NYC private school students do hire them, but don't tell your school counselor.

I had a student do this without my advice and it wasn't a great reaction from their counselor. But that kid did end up at HYP.

Ball park how much do you charge and what are the core services

[Anonymous]

Neil chyten. Try him

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neil chyten. Try him

How much? A few of them are fairly transparent but most are very cryptic. I kind of get it but also don't want to waste my time or their time. I'm not looking for bargain basement as I understand that you get what you pay for but also not spending six figures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the school. Is the student body 130 kids or 60 kids.

Why does the class size matter?

Depending on the school, the attention of the college counselors.

Don’t bigger schools just have more counselors? Trinity and HM are pretty big and seem to do fine? Or am I wrong and their college counseling is bad and everyone is supplementing?

i think for most NYC Privates it's around 1 for each 20-25 kids.

i would love the counselor on this chat to weigh in on how families handle their individual desire for a good outcome for their child versus the school wanting the best overall outcome?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are doing this. My kid is about to start 9th and we are hiring someone to work with them throughout high school. The people we’ve talked to have quoted us 20-25k over the course of 4 years. We are not rich and weren’t looking for ultra high end. I know people who have used coaches later in high school for things like essay writing with good results. My experience with high school admissions, while good, has led me to believe that you’ll probably not get the level of support you might expect from these counselors at the school despite the high tuition.

what do you get for $20k?