Reply to How much help was your DC's HS counselor?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As a new high school counselor (I'm an experienced counselor, just new to working at the high school level) - there is a severe lack of professional development and training in college counseling.  In earning my Master's degree to become a school counselor, there are no courses in this area.  And, now on the job, the school system does not invest in any professional development in how to support families with the college search.

I am one of those people who love visiting colleges and consider myself well-traveled.  I've been on campuses from Michigan to Maine - but it's impossible to know about all colleges.  When I review lists of colleges with my students, there are always some small schools in New England or the Mid-West that I've simply never heard of before.  I also worked 10 years in the corporate world at a prestigious firm, and am still limited to knowledge only of colleges where my colleagues attended.

My advice to parents and students is to take their sophomores and juniors to visit Georgetown, GWU, AU, College Park, George Mason, etc to help your student narrow down the size, campus type (urban, suburban).  And, when on vacation, try to squeeze in some college visits just to get them thinking about colleges.  Then, it'd good to help your student narrow down a geographic area...although this is always tough - as I have students interested in California schools, but also schools in Boston and in NC.  With the Common App, students now apply to 8-12 schools.

I'm hoping that I get better with helping students and their families with more years of experience - but please don't knock your child's counselor.  Most of them (including me) are doing the best we can!![/quote]

Great post.  Please, please, please tell me you work at a public.

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