The insanity of 1%er East Coast parents and college

[Anonymous]

I think the PP point wasn't whether it is a good use of YOUR money, but it's value period. Most kids who I see getting into top schools do it on their own, naturally bright and gifted, no test prep or "curating" activities needed. I think the admissions officers know who got their on their own and who got their with excessive support. Like it almost works inversely, the more you spend the worse off your kid is-- they look bad to top schools and if they make it past-- cant keep up with the naturally brilliant kids who didnt need all the extra help.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP point wasn't whether it is a good use of YOUR money, but it's value period. Most kids who I see getting into top schools do it on their own, naturally bright and gifted, no test prep or "curating" activities needed. I think the admissions officers know who got their on their own and who got their with excessive support. Like it almost works inversely, the more you spend the worse off your kid is-- they look bad to top schools and if they make it past-- cant keep up with the naturally brilliant kids who didnt need all the extra help.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

I think this is a naive view.
Look at the curated activities list from Crimson. Do you really think that hasn't helped their applicants?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in FCPS and moved away after college. Fast forward almost 30 years and we moved back for a job for a few years. My mind was blown when my kid came home and said her classmate’s family paid $30,000 for college prep for each kid. If you have to pay for a kid to get guided to a certain college, perhaps that college isn’t the right fit🤷‍♀️ You can’t hold your kid’s hand in college. Give them encouragement, but let their own motivation be what leads their way. My heart breaks for these kids who are under so much pressure from their parents. I hear you, OP.

x1000 We did not do any of the $ or tutors to stay in the top math group or other snowplow parenting and somehow they still got in to ivies unhooked.
Yet based on FB parent groups, some of the parents still helicopter and try to over-manage in college, angst over med school or law apps. No parent ever tried to help with college classes or med school back then. It is sad, their kids must have horrible self esteem. Ivies are competitive enough without constantly wondering if you would have gotten in without all the help or other hooks.

I guess I view the expense differently. If you make a ton of money, then what’s $30k, $50k even $100k to spend on these consultants. Once you decide to use one then you go for the best/the one that eases the path.

It’s hard to grasp when for 99.5%, that $30k is real money.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

we are UHNW, and I would NOT spend that type of money on college consultant. We spend $4.5K on CC and another $1K on SAT tutoring (10 individual sessions), and that was for all 4 years (but we only used it for 14 months). Because I agree, that if you have to spend that much, then perhaps that isn't the school for your kid (or my kid)

I wrote that I would get a college counselor. I have no idea the cost. My oldest is a sophomore in HS.

it an be done for 4-5K. For us that was "all in for 4 years, unlimited visits". They help you plan HS courses (we didn't need that) and most importantly help you find the right Reach, Target and Safeties for your kid. Of my kid's final Top 3 choices (2 targets and a gem of a safety), I would have only considered 1 of them. They also help your kid stay on schedule without you having to nag them---senior year is stressful enough. And the 1-1 SAT tutoring is best use of time and money. After 1 baseline test and 4 hours of review (based on results) my kid was essentially at their final score (+/-10 points). we could have been done then. But did a few more practice tests and review sessions. They teach the tricks for how to approach the test, help your kid see where they are making silly mistakes and in general just the taking of 4-5 practice tests help prepares your kid. For ex, all practice tests were to be done at 8am, just like the real SAT. Because yes, I'm certain my go to bed at 2am et up at noon kid would do better with a 2pm test but that isn't reality. So practice under real world conditions helps you

[Anonymous]

My point is that the activities should be ones that the students themselves find, pursue, and succeed at on their own, and not ones a consultant and parents select for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP point wasn't whether it is a good use of YOUR money, but it's value period. Most kids who I see getting into top schools do it on their own, naturally bright and gifted, no test prep or "curating" activities needed. I think the admissions officers know who got their on their own and who got their with excessive support. Like it almost works inversely, the more you spend the worse off your kid is-- they look bad to top schools and if they make it past-- cant keep up with the naturally brilliant kids who didnt need all the extra help.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

I think this is a naive view.
Look at the curated activities list from Crimson. Do you really think that hasn't helped their applicants?

Very naive. I hear more stories of perfect students getting rejected from the top schools and ending up at UVA,UMD and W.&M,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a client with a net worth of $20MM+. Client was crazy worried about his DC's university and career prospects. I asked why worry (given the net worth). Client responded that the $20MM can vanish in a heartbeat.

However, realistically, a Harvard degree's worth is more likely to vanish in heartbeat (because of drugs, mental breakdown, lack of ambition).

OP here. It actually makes sense to me that a wealthy person would want their kid to study hard and have a good career. Work is essential to mental health and yes, $20MM can be wasted. But that kid could be happy with a teaching degree from a state school as much as an MBA and I banking career.

Give your kids enough so they can do anything, but not so much that they'll do nothing. -paraphrasing Warren Buffett

This includes the opportunities and resources you give them while they are growing.

There is such a thing as having too much opportunity. It burns the striver out of your children because they have been served a conveyor belt of never ending opportunity.

That is the exact attitude our friends and ourselves have. So far all of our kids are excelling. What it does do is open the door for choosing a career that is "typically lower paying" but something they love. And knowing that parents can help supplement if needed. But only 1 kid (out of 10+ families) chose that. Because many of our kids naturally have STEM inclinations (at least 1 parent in all the families are Techies---in my case we are both techies). So for my kid whose favorite classes were always Math and science, it is logical they picked Engineering as a major (and are doing well)---they would be miserable in a humanities major and/or career.
Other kid isn't as much STEM, but has good math talent and chose business/finance. Because they would also be miserable in a humanities major. Ironically, they became a great writer in college and are now the "writer on their team" at a Tech/Healthcare company, but most of job is tech focused.

Nerds beget nerds.
And even the non-nerdy ones are actually nerds.

Troll---not all nerds. All currently high level execs (and one CEO) at a company. But kids whose parents are into technology and were STEM majors are likely to have kids who are also STEM talented (genetics is strong)---for most the kids are also interested in engineering or CS.

PP

I'm a nerd.

I thought one of my kids was sporty but their math/CS degree tells be he was just better at hiding the inner nerd.

Nerd isn't derogatory anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in FCPS and moved away after college. Fast forward almost 30 years and we moved back for a job for a few years. My mind was blown when my kid came home and said her classmate’s family paid $30,000 for college prep for each kid. If you have to pay for a kid to get guided to a certain college, perhaps that college isn’t the right fit🤷‍♀️ You can’t hold your kid’s hand in college. Give them encouragement, but let their own motivation be what leads their way. My heart breaks for these kids who are under so much pressure from their parents. I hear you, OP.

x1000 We did not do any of the $ or tutors to stay in the top math group or other snowplow parenting and somehow they still got in to ivies unhooked.
Yet based on FB parent groups, some of the parents still helicopter and try to over-manage in college, angst over med school or law apps. No parent ever tried to help with college classes or med school back then. It is sad, their kids must have horrible self esteem. Ivies are competitive enough without constantly wondering if you would have gotten in without all the help or other hooks.

I guess I view the expense differently. If you make a ton of money, then what’s $30k, $50k even $100k to spend on these consultants. Once you decide to use one then you go for the best/the one that eases the path.

It’s hard to grasp when for 99.5%, that $30k is real money.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

we are UHNW, and I would NOT spend that type of money on college consultant. We spend $4.5K on CC and another $1K on SAT tutoring (10 individual sessions), and that was for all 4 years (but we only used it for 14 months). Because I agree, that if you have to spend that much, then perhaps that isn't the school for your kid (or my kid)

I wrote that I would get a college counselor. I have no idea the cost. My oldest is a sophomore in HS.

it an be done for 4-5K. For us that was "all in for 4 years, unlimited visits". They help you plan HS courses (we didn't need that) and most importantly help you find the right Reach, Target and Safeties for your kid. Of my kid's final Top 3 choices (2 targets and a gem of a safety), I would have only considered 1 of them. They also help your kid stay on schedule without you having to nag them---senior year is stressful enough. And the 1-1 SAT tutoring is best use of time and money. After 1 baseline test and 4 hours of review (based on results) my kid was essentially at their final score (+/-10 points). we could have been done then. But did a few more practice tests and review sessions. They teach the tricks for how to approach the test, help your kid see where they are making silly mistakes and in general just the taking of 4-5 practice tests help prepares your kid. For ex, all practice tests were to be done at 8am, just like the real SAT. Because yes, I'm certain my go to bed at 2am et up at noon kid would do better with a 2pm test but that isn't reality. So practice under real world conditions helps you

Can you recommend your sat prep? I bought my kid a psat book he didn’t open last summer and now sat book that is collecting dust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in FCPS and moved away after college. Fast forward almost 30 years and we moved back for a job for a few years. My mind was blown when my kid came home and said her classmate’s family paid $30,000 for college prep for each kid. If you have to pay for a kid to get guided to a certain college, perhaps that college isn’t the right fit🤷‍♀️ You can’t hold your kid’s hand in college. Give them encouragement, but let their own motivation be what leads their way. My heart breaks for these kids who are under so much pressure from their parents. I hear you, OP.

x1000 We did not do any of the $ or tutors to stay in the top math group or other snowplow parenting and somehow they still got in to ivies unhooked.
Yet based on FB parent groups, some of the parents still helicopter and try to over-manage in college, angst over med school or law apps. No parent ever tried to help with college classes or med school back then. It is sad, their kids must have horrible self esteem. Ivies are competitive enough without constantly wondering if you would have gotten in without all the help or other hooks.

I guess I view the expense differently. If you make a ton of money, then what’s $30k, $50k even $100k to spend on these consultants. Once you decide to use one then you go for the best/the one that eases the path.

It’s hard to grasp when for 99.5%, that $30k is real money.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

we are UHNW, and I would NOT spend that type of money on college consultant. We spend $4.5K on CC and another $1K on SAT tutoring (10 individual sessions), and that was for all 4 years (but we only used it for 14 months). Because I agree, that if you have to spend that much, then perhaps that isn't the school for your kid (or my kid)

I wrote that I would get a college counselor. I have no idea the cost. My oldest is a sophomore in HS.

it an be done for 4-5K. For us that was "all in for 4 years, unlimited visits". They help you plan HS courses (we didn't need that) and most importantly help you find the right Reach, Target and Safeties for your kid. Of my kid's final Top 3 choices (2 targets and a gem of a safety), I would have only considered 1 of them. They also help your kid stay on schedule without you having to nag them---senior year is stressful enough. And the 1-1 SAT tutoring is best use of time and money. After 1 baseline test and 4 hours of review (based on results) my kid was essentially at their final score (+/-10 points). we could have been done then. But did a few more practice tests and review sessions. They teach the tricks for how to approach the test, help your kid see where they are making silly mistakes and in general just the taking of 4-5 practice tests help prepares your kid. For ex, all practice tests were to be done at 8am, just like the real SAT. Because yes, I'm certain my go to bed at 2am et up at noon kid would do better with a 2pm test but that isn't reality. So practice under real world conditions helps you

Can you recommend your sat prep? I bought my kid a psat book he didn’t open last summer and now sat book that is collecting dust.

not local, so no. But look for an individual company (not a national chain), ask for references and see their track record. A good one will sell to you by the hour--we did only 8 or 10 hours and were done. at that point they honestly told us, "if you want to spend 20-30 hours more and focus on the Verbal, with a ton of outside work you might raise that 700 to a 750, but it's not worth it (and my kid didn't want to). So basically, a good tutor knows that it only takes 8-10 hours(or less) to arrive at your kid's ideal score. If they want to sell you a 30 hour+ package, run away.

For ex: my kid started with 1330 baseline, after 4 hours of 1-1 (3 verbal and 1 hour math), they scored 1480 on next practice test. That was their final score. All other practice tests and real tests were within 20 points +/-. So in reality, those 4 hours was all that was needed---just an overview of where their main issues were, and pointers/tricks for understanding the structure of the test and how to approach it. The next 4-6 hours were just reviewing additional practice tests and identifying errors. And practice, because the more real life situation tests (simulations okay) you do the better prepared you are for the real arrive at 7:15am to the test center on a Sat situation.

So my kid got a 150 point increase. With only 4 hours of work. Our tutor says that is normal. If you start at a lower score, then you might need 8-10 hours to reach a final score (a smart kid who only gets 1200 on baseline has more room to improve/errors to find). But nobody really needs 20-30 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP point wasn't whether it is a good use of YOUR money, but it's value period. Most kids who I see getting into top schools do it on their own, naturally bright and gifted, no test prep or "curating" activities needed. I think the admissions officers know who got their on their own and who got their with excessive support. Like it almost works inversely, the more you spend the worse off your kid is-- they look bad to top schools and if they make it past-- cant keep up with the naturally brilliant kids who didnt need all the extra help.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

I think this is a naive view.
Look at the curated activities list from Crimson. Do you really think that hasn't helped their applicants?

From my perspective with one in junior year and one a freshman at different ivies, the majority are indeed naturally gifted, without heavily curated activities such as the purposefully unique birdwatcher types, the pay to play research and founding nonprofits seen on DCUM. Instead they were concertmaster at their high school, or were all-state band, did some local theater, or editor of the school's poetry journal, or state-level debater or worked for years with a local nonprofit that they truly cared about, or were head counselor at a summer camp. Additionally they had top scores and based on class placement the number who took AP physics C, Chem, BC calc, and even post BC math is extraordinarily high. Even the non-stem ones took a huge amount of difficult courses, some of which our private did not offer. The number who were valedictorian or salutatorian is very high. They joke about how they "used" to be smart/top and are now just average like everyone else, yet to hear all of the things they do on campus in addition to intense classes is exhausting. Even their fun is typically scheduled, though they seem to be quite content with their choice most of the time. It has become quite evident that there are small pockets of students who really struggle in the ivy environment. Whether these few are more likely TO or hooked or propped up by parents/tutors is unclear: some just seemed to have burnt out. It takes a lot of confidence to thrive at these schools. I would never send a student who had not chased and accomplished their high school goals on their own and shown ability to be resilient. Until you have one in these schools, it is hard to grasp, especially those of us with older ones who went to a top flagship just outside the-T25. The pressure is another level at ivies and I assume other T15 types. The resources and funds for undergraduate research/opportunities are unbelievably lavish, but it comes with an intensity that does not fit typical "average excellent" students

[Anonymous]

It isn't just east coast but also West Coast parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP point wasn't whether it is a good use of YOUR money, but it's value period. Most kids who I see getting into top schools do it on their own, naturally bright and gifted, no test prep or "curating" activities needed. I think the admissions officers know who got their on their own and who got their with excessive support. Like it almost works inversely, the more you spend the worse off your kid is-- they look bad to top schools and if they make it past-- cant keep up with the naturally brilliant kids who didnt need all the extra help.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

The admissions officers have no idea; the words on the page say the exact same thing.
Well curated expensive college counseling is like good make up and wardrobe, you don't even know its there.

I don't know why people have to lie to themselves like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP point wasn't whether it is a good use of YOUR money, but it's value period. Most kids who I see getting into top schools do it on their own, naturally bright and gifted, no test prep or "curating" activities needed. I think the admissions officers know who got their on their own and who got their with excessive support. Like it almost works inversely, the more you spend the worse off your kid is-- they look bad to top schools and if they make it past-- cant keep up with the naturally brilliant kids who didnt need all the extra help.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

I think this is a naive view.
Look at the curated activities list from Crimson. Do you really think that hasn't helped their applicants?

From my perspective with one in junior year and one a freshman at different ivies, the majority are indeed naturally gifted, without heavily curated activities such as the purposefully unique birdwatcher types, the pay to play research and founding nonprofits seen on DCUM. Instead they were concertmaster at their high school, or were all-state band, did some local theater, or editor of the school's poetry journal, or state-level debater or worked for years with a local nonprofit that they truly cared about, or were head counselor at a summer camp. Additionally they had top scores and based on class placement the number who took AP physics C, Chem, BC calc, and even post BC math is extraordinarily high. Even the non-stem ones took a huge amount of difficult courses, some of which our private did not offer. The number who were valedictorian or salutatorian is very high. They joke about how they "used" to be smart/top and are now just average like everyone else, yet to hear all of the things they do on campus in addition to intense classes is exhausting. Even their fun is typically scheduled, though they seem to be quite content with their choice most of the time. It has become quite evident that there are small pockets of students who really struggle in the ivy environment. Whether these few are more likely TO or hooked or propped up by parents/tutors is unclear: some just seemed to have burnt out. It takes a lot of confidence to thrive at these schools. I would never send a student who had not chased and accomplished their high school goals on their own and shown ability to be resilient. Until you have one in these schools, it is hard to grasp, especially those of us with older ones who went to a top flagship just outside the-T25. The pressure is another level at ivies and I assume other T15 types. The resources and funds for undergraduate research/opportunities are unbelievably lavish, but it comes with an intensity that does not fit typical "average excellent" students

How would you know who had help?

My kid is everything you have listed. We don’t have a counselor yet. We will meet with one. If we think it will be useful, we will continue. My child is exceptional in my eyes. For an AO at an Ivy, my child may not stand out. Just in his friend group, there are many talented and smart kids and they all are shooting for various T20 schools. I am confident my child will get into a top college and doubt my child will mention the counselor that may have given some feedback on his essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My point is that the activities should be ones that the students themselves find, pursue, and succeed at on their own, and not ones a consultant and parents select for them.

You don't seem to understand how those activities are selected.
They don't give you a list of lessons to sign up for, they go through your current interests and highlight the ones you might want to focus on and guide you towards other activities that are similar or close to what you already love.

Maybe you have 6 activities and you are just OK at all of them, but your sumo wrestling is about to become an NCAA women's sport and you would be recruitable in your weight class if you could reclaim some time by putting your competitive jenga and lemonade stand on hold for a bit.

Maybe you love playing D&D because you love playing D&D because you really enjoy immersing yourself into the character. They might suggest you pursue drama club or something.
Of maybe you love D&D because you love weaving together worlds for your players to adventure in, so maybe you should take some writing classes to learn how to turn those ideas into stories.

You do not understand college admissions better than an experienced college consultant.

With that said, most of the time, they don't really add a whole lot of value aside from helping you pick out some schools that you would be extremely happy at but aren't on your radar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in FCPS and moved away after college. Fast forward almost 30 years and we moved back for a job for a few years. My mind was blown when my kid came home and said her classmate’s family paid $30,000 for college prep for each kid. If you have to pay for a kid to get guided to a certain college, perhaps that college isn’t the right fit🤷‍♀️ You can’t hold your kid’s hand in college. Give them encouragement, but let their own motivation be what leads their way. My heart breaks for these kids who are under so much pressure from their parents. I hear you, OP.

x1000 We did not do any of the $ or tutors to stay in the top math group or other snowplow parenting and somehow they still got in to ivies unhooked.
Yet based on FB parent groups, some of the parents still helicopter and try to over-manage in college, angst over med school or law apps. No parent ever tried to help with college classes or med school back then. It is sad, their kids must have horrible self esteem. Ivies are competitive enough without constantly wondering if you would have gotten in without all the help or other hooks.

I guess I view the expense differently. If you make a ton of money, then what’s $30k, $50k even $100k to spend on these consultants. Once you decide to use one then you go for the best/the one that eases the path.

It’s hard to grasp when for 99.5%, that $30k is real money.

I don’t disagree with what you say, but know UHNW folks that think nothing of spending these sums.

we are UHNW, and I would NOT spend that type of money on college consultant. We spend $4.5K on CC and another $1K on SAT tutoring (10 individual sessions), and that was for all 4 years (but we only used it for 14 months). Because I agree, that if you have to spend that much, then perhaps that isn't the school for your kid (or my kid)

I wrote that I would get a college counselor. I have no idea the cost. My oldest is a sophomore in HS.

it an be done for 4-5K. For us that was "all in for 4 years, unlimited visits". They help you plan HS courses (we didn't need that) and most importantly help you find the right Reach, Target and Safeties for your kid. Of my kid's final Top 3 choices (2 targets and a gem of a safety), I would have only considered 1 of them. They also help your kid stay on schedule without you having to nag them---senior year is stressful enough. And the 1-1 SAT tutoring is best use of time and money. After 1 baseline test and 4 hours of review (based on results) my kid was essentially at their final score (+/-10 points). we could have been done then. But did a few more practice tests and review sessions. They teach the tricks for how to approach the test, help your kid see where they are making silly mistakes and in general just the taking of 4-5 practice tests help prepares your kid. For ex, all practice tests were to be done at 8am, just like the real SAT. Because yes, I'm certain my go to bed at 2am et up at noon kid would do better with a 2pm test but that isn't reality. So practice under real world conditions helps you

Can you recommend your sat prep? I bought my kid a psat book he didn’t open last summer and now sat book that is collecting dust.

not local, so no. But look for an individual company (not a national chain), ask for references and see their track record. A good one will sell to you by the hour--we did only 8 or 10 hours and were done. at that point they honestly told us, "if you want to spend 20-30 hours more and focus on the Verbal, with a ton of outside work you might raise that 700 to a 750, but it's not worth it (and my kid didn't want to). So basically, a good tutor knows that it only takes 8-10 hours(or less) to arrive at your kid's ideal score. If they want to sell you a 30 hour+ package, run away.

For ex: my kid started with 1330 baseline, after 4 hours of 1-1 (3 verbal and 1 hour math), they scored 1480 on next practice test. That was their final score. All other practice tests and real tests were within 20 points +/-. So in reality, those 4 hours was all that was needed---just an overview of where their main issues were, and pointers/tricks for understanding the structure of the test and how to approach it. The next 4-6 hours were just reviewing additional practice tests and identifying errors. And practice, because the more real life situation tests (simulations okay) you do the better prepared you are for the real arrive at 7:15am to the test center on a Sat situation.

So my kid got a 150 point increase. With only 4 hours of work. Our tutor says that is normal. If you start at a lower score, then you might need 8-10 hours to reach a final score (a smart kid who only gets 1200 on baseline has more room to improve/errors to find). But nobody really needs 20-30 hours.

If you need much more than 6-12 hours, you are probably doing homework during tutoring time and you are paying someone to walk your kid through homework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My point is that the activities should be ones that the students themselves find, pursue, and succeed at on their own, and not ones a consultant and parents select for them.

You don't seem to understand how those activities are selected.
They don't give you a list of lessons to sign up for, they go through your current interests and highlight the ones you might want to focus on and guide you towards other activities that are similar or close to what you already love.

Maybe you have 6 activities and you are just OK at all of them, but your sumo wrestling is about to become an NCAA women's sport and you would be recruitable in your weight class if you could reclaim some time by putting your competitive jenga and lemonade stand on hold for a bit.

Maybe you love playing D&D because you love playing D&D because you really enjoy immersing yourself into the character. They might suggest you pursue drama club or something.
Of maybe you love D&D because you love weaving together worlds for your players to adventure in, so maybe you should take some writing classes to learn how to turn those ideas into stories.

You do not understand college admissions better than an experienced college consultant.

With that said, most of the time, they don't really add a whole lot of value aside from helping you pick out some schools that you would be extremely happy at but aren't on your radar.

My kid has too many activities. He is kind of all over the place but genuinely is interested. He plays 3 sports, model UN, science Olympiad, mock trial, robotics, is interested in science, engineering, history and art. I think a counselor could help steer him and maximize his summer potential junior year.