Are Private Counselors a Bad Idea?

[Anonymous]

I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

This is comical. Your kid is the main driver for developing narrative, not the counselor. You are describing a highly curated way in college application, most of the time that would not work.

I think a good counselor would analyze what your kid has gotten so far by the end of junior year. Based on what the kid has developed, formulate a corresponding strategy/college list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

Do that for your ED school, plus maybe one or two schools of high interest.

Your kid will be exhausted if he/she is going to implement that for 20 schools.

Unrealistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD had a private CC. It was only an ok experience. I feel he pushed my DD to apply ED to a school she had a good chance of getting into RD, that wasn't her top choice but was lower down in her top 5-6.

I think he just wanted to close out as many "wins" as possible rather than work for the best possible outcome for her as a person.

Private CCs don't just work for your DC. They aren't exclusively on call for your family. A good CC is often juggling 20+ different families during any one season to make ends meet.

The VIP families that are paying 3X or 5X their already very high fee is probably getting most of their attention.

This was our experience too. I regret paying for the private CC for our DS. We won't do that with #2! But hindsight is 20 20 ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

Do that for your ED school, plus maybe one or two schools of high interest.

Your kid will be exhausted if he/she is going to implement that for 20 schools.

Unrealistic.

It’s very doable for 2-3 early schools (EA/ED) and 4-5 RD reach schools - with a lot of planning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

Nope. Many good counselors won’t do that. They focus on finding “fit.”

You will be sorely disappointed if that’s what you think you’re getting. If that’s truly your objective, directly ask if they do that and ask how much time they spending working on developing the hook/narrative. Make sure it’s in the contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD had a private CC. It was only an ok experience. I feel he pushed my DD to apply ED to a school she had a good chance of getting into RD, that wasn't her top choice but was lower down in her top 5-6.

I think he just wanted to close out as many "wins" as possible rather than work for the best possible outcome for her as a person.

Private CCs don't just work for your DC. They aren't exclusively on call for your family. A good CC is often juggling 20+ different families during any one season to make ends meet.

The VIP families that are paying 3X or 5X their already very high fee is probably getting most of their attention.

This was our experience too. I regret paying for the private CC for our DS. We won't do that with #2! But hindsight is 20 20 ...

Same. It was truly a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

Do that for your ED school, plus maybe one or two schools of high interest.

Your kid will be exhausted if he/she is going to implement that for 20 schools.

Unrealistic.

Most private counselors don’t do this type of tailoring though. I had to do the searching and compiling myself to help my kid.

They won’t say for S: focus on these 5 character traits and make sure you mention these personal stories/ECs/vignettes. They might mention IV if you are lucky but everyone knows that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

Nope. Many good counselors won’t do that. They focus on finding “fit.”

You will be sorely disappointed if that’s what you think you’re getting. If that’s truly your objective, directly ask if they do that and ask how much time they spending working on developing the hook/narrative. Make sure it’s in the contract.

Why not?
It’s not that hard to take a look at the resume, achievements and accomplishments of the kid at the end of junior year, find the common thread, make major suggestions and make a few tailored suggestions to strengthen if needed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

Do that for your ED school, plus maybe one or two schools of high interest.

Your kid will be exhausted if he/she is going to implement that for 20 schools.

Unrealistic.

Most private counselors don’t do this type of tailoring though. I had to do the searching and compiling myself to help my kid.

They won’t say for S: focus on these 5 character traits and make sure you mention these personal stories/ECs/vignettes. They might mention IV if you are lucky but everyone knows that.

Because doing that is stupid.

[Anonymous]

I see why people are unhappy about private counselors—they have unrealistic expectations—and it shows in this thread.

Your application should be authentic, not tailored to fit each distinct school. At the end of the process, you will find out that the ones accepted you are the ones that are good fit.

Your kid is not ivy material, no counselor can magically make em one. If you go in with that idea, you will certainly be disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

Do that for your ED school, plus maybe one or two schools of high interest.

Your kid will be exhausted if he/she is going to implement that for 20 schools.

Unrealistic.

Most private counselors don’t do this type of tailoring though. I had to do the searching and compiling myself to help my kid.

They won’t say for S: focus on these 5 character traits and make sure you mention these personal stories/ECs/vignettes. They might mention IV if you are lucky but everyone knows that.

Because doing that is stupid.

I don’t think it’s stupid. It’s just a ton of work and you need application volume and insider info in order to have the most relevant data.

This is what the $100k counselors do. They create a different “guide” for each REACH customized for your kid’s attributes. Maybe that justifies the price difference?

I’ve seen one of these guides; a relative paid for last minute (late December) RD application support for one T10 reach from a national consulting firm based in NYC. I have screenshots of the customized guide - incredibly detailed but only for that school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

Do that for your ED school, plus maybe one or two schools of high interest.

Your kid will be exhausted if he/she is going to implement that for 20 schools.

Unrealistic.

Most private counselors don’t do this type of tailoring though. I had to do the searching and compiling myself to help my kid.

They won’t say for S: focus on these 5 character traits and make sure you mention these personal stories/ECs/vignettes. They might mention IV if you are lucky but everyone knows that.

Because doing that is stupid.

I don’t think it’s stupid. It’s just a ton of work and you need application volume and insider info in order to have the most relevant data.

This is what the $100k counselors do. They create a different “guide” for each REACH customized for your kid’s attributes. Maybe that justifies the price difference?

I’ve seen one of these guides; a relative paid for last minute (late December) RD application support for one T10 reach from a national consulting firm based in NYC. I have screenshots of the customized guide - incredibly detailed but only for that school.

Do you mind sharing the name of the firm? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see why people are unhappy about private counselors—they have unrealistic expectations—and it shows in this thread.

Your application should be authentic, not tailored to fit each distinct school. At the end of the process, you will find out that the ones accepted you are the ones that are good fit.

Your kid is not ivy material, no counselor can magically make em one. If you go in with that idea, you will certainly be disappointed.

Here’s the thing - and this is what most counselors AND parents don’t understand: you do not need a counselor to get accepted into most colleges. You simply don’t. And you certainly don’t need to pay thousands of dollars to hire a counselor to find “best fit.” It’s a bit of a racket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d only pay someone if they will tell my kid exactly how to tailor applications differently for each reach school. They should tell them (1) what each reach school is looking for (values, characteristics) and (2) give them example or ideas on how to implement into the app (whether in ECs, Supp essays, Addtl Info and Future plans).

A good counselor should help them develop their admissions hook or application narrative first and everything else flows from that.

Nope. Many good counselors won’t do that. They focus on finding “fit.”

You will be sorely disappointed if that’s what you think you’re getting. If that’s truly your objective, directly ask if they do that and ask how much time they spending working on developing the hook/narrative. Make sure it’s in the contract.

Why not?
It’s not that hard to take a look at the resume, achievements and accomplishments of the kid at the end of junior year, find the common thread, make major suggestions and make a few tailored suggestions to strengthen if needed?

But PP said "develop their admissions hook or application narrative". Is that the same as "make a few tailored suggestions to strengthen"?