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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm a private college consultant and I have worked with plenty of Sidwell families. I can't speak for the junior counselor (won't name him since I don't think anyone else has) but Patrick is a good counselor who probably got fed up with the crazy parents. I think it's appalling that anyone would suggest that he was connected to the scandal.

Here's the reality of independent school college counseling:

The admissions offices promise parents the world, setting up expectations that can't be fulfilled. They lie, really. As an independent consultant, I have a whole staff of people and we are working with a much smaller group of seniors than the class at Sidwell. We are able to give them an incredible amount of one-on-one attention for this reason. Independent school counselors CANNOT DO THIS. It doesn't matter how amazing they are, it's a matter of math. They have X amount of hours to be spread amongst Y amount of kids, and they also have a lot of extra duties that come with working at an independent school. I can take the time to go over each student's supplemental essay 10 times until it's the most perfect reflection of that student, and those people cannot.

Also, since we are on the subject, I should mention that it's much quicker to rewrite a student's essay than to "coach" the student to rewrite his own essay. It ends up being much more authentic that way but takes forever. That's why I have a job. But when parents expect this of the college counselors, of course they are disappointed. It's about expectations.

Lastly, speaking of expectations, a lot of these parents simply do not understand what college admissions is like today. It's brutal. That's why the crazies in LA decided to commit fraud - because there was no other way to guarantee that their kids would get into these schools. There are simply no guarantees anymore. Incredibly qualified, wonderful kids are denied left right and center. And a lot of independent school parents blame this on their school college counselors, for some reason. As if the college counselor could have done something to change the outcome.

Trust me, those people are fighting tooth and nail for your kids behind the scenes. The absolute DUMBEST thing you could possibly do is to piss them off. Even Rick Singer, according to the wiretap transcript, yelled at parents for this. It's a fast track way to making sure your kid gets in nowhere. Why on earth would you demean, insult, and badmouth the person who is trying to HELP your CHILD? [/quote]

So you admit you’re rewriting essays? Isnt it possible you’re hurting kids more than helping?[/quote]

No, my point is that I’m doing what takes longer, which is NOT rewriting them- I’m coaching the student to self-edit.[/quote]

Whatever helps you sleep at night[/quote]

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