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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
We are looking to hire someone because our junior year kid is [b]not welcoming of our guidance and is not organized enough/procrastinates[/b] too much to do on their own and while we are  researching colleges, we also would welcome some expertise about[b] what colleges could be good options for our strong but not stellar student.
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Thanks. [/quote]

One parent's opinion. Started with a consultant and then stopped. Evereything worked out.

First, it's OK. This is quite common. It can be overwhelming for kids to imagine graduating high school, let alone plan for the future.

Have you spoken to anyone at school? This is literally the job of a school college or guidance counselor. They've seen tons of kids in similar situations and should be able to advise the student directly. Just be aware that some counselors may be more concerned with getting your "not stellar" kid in wherever it's easiest/high acceptance and then selling them on it like it's their ideal school.

1. Take a break from researching until after May 1st at least! Seriously. There's too much noise about colleges before decision day. Everybody knows somebody who did or did not get into a school because of blah, blah, blah. Ignore it. Instead, spend time researching financial options and impact on your family's budget. Don't make financing a mystery for your kid. If they don't know what goes in the FAFSA, now is the time to tell them. Even if they're fortunate enough not to need aid, they still should be aware of what it takes for everybody else. Don't scare

2. Academics. Keep your child focused on getting the absolute best grades or scores they can.  Showing themselves they can improve grades or scores, even incrementally, is important for self-esteem and for life. Effort pays off. It can be intimidating seeing the astronomical GPAs and scores. Even if they don't get to those levels, they should feel good about their ability to continuously learn and improve while also being the great kid they already are.

3. Summer. Find a pre-college 2-week summer program away from home on a college campus with a topic of interest. Give them a small taste of what "college" looks like through dorm-life, socializing with a group of strangers, hearing about real college life from undergrads working as counselors, etc. Your kid may get really engaged in the subject or location/region which will help focus research or at least reset expectations. Another upside, the program could be fodder for a future essay like "I've always loved [subject], but spending time doing [whatever] away from home taught me a new way to [something]." The essay writes itself.

Reality check: Yes, it's mainly for kids with privilege and it won't improve odds of getting into a school. These are money-makers for empty campuses and some are glorified summer camp. But at least it offers a degree of independence and takes away some of the mystery about "going to college."

4. Research with Reverse Psychology. After May 1st, let your child take the lead in drafting a list using search tools like Common App, Niche.com, etc. It doesn't matter what they pick as their main criteria. (One of mine started by sports teams he wanted to  follow. Ended up with strength of econ as priority. lol) Try to ignore rankings, acceptance rates, and unsolicited advice from family or friends who don't have a kid in college at this very moment. Encourage your student to look at school academic website for special programs or unique learning experiences that sound intriguing. A lot of schools sound the same and all offer hundreds of student organizations and some variant of study abroad. What stands out to your student from their first impressions? Let them find some reasons for the supplemental essay "why XYZ college"?

Be wary of "love at first visit" for in person or online tours. If something seems way too perfect, ask your child to picture themselves there on a bad day. For example, what happens if you wake up late for a test, dropped your computer, feel homesick or concerned about substance use for yourself or a friend? If your child is an URM, how accessible are resources or other students in a crisis?

Mostly, keep an open mind. A school is only "good" if it's a good fit for your child.

5. Perspective. None of this is about your child. In this century, the admissions industry, especially private consultants, have everything to gain from making the process appear personal, exclusive, and high stakes. It's not. It's become a lottery of sorts. Thanks to the Common App and the internet in general, test-optional policies, and a looming demographic drop in students, access to college has increased tremendously and some schools are aggressively using corporate marketing strategies amid fierce competition. (Yes, even the Ivies.)

Your child will be just fine. Afterall, they have you as a parent to love and support them no matter what.  :D

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