Reply to Are Private Counselors a Bad Idea?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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).

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

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. [/quote]

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

Yes I said that too. It’s the same.

I’m not talking about manufacturing anything.  But the reality is that most kids (and most of their parents) don’t know how to “market” themselves well in this app process. They don’t know how to make themselves stand out. And they don’t know why having some sort of admissions “tagline” or condensed narrative is helpful to your kid’s candidacy.

Instead they throw everything under the sun into the application! No strategy.[/quote]

So, rising senior is meeting with counselor next week.  What should we ask the counselor to provide?

If we ask for a guide (tagline concept) tailored to 3-4 schools, what should we do if she says they don’t do that?  Fire her and get another one?[/quote]

Ask for her to evaluate your kid’s application strengths and which reach /T20 schools her strengths align well with (and why)? If you already know the 3-4 schools, ask what specific qualities and characteristics each school is looking for and how the application is “scored” in committee.

For example, I learned (on here!) that certain schools weigh ECs more than others. Since my kid was super strong there (and in EC awards), we changed list to focus a bit more on those schools. Similarly if your kid has something that stands out about that, make sure your counselor is telling you which schools are going to value that profile the most in the admissions committee process.

Next, ask about her recent success rate with those schools? Are there particular majors or programs at those schools your kid should research or us best aligned to maximize success?

Ask if she sees a good application narrative or strategy emerging for your kid and what is it? How would she convey the different elements of that narrative inside the various parts of the common app? Does she have example/sample successful and completed apps for you to review to see how the full narrative is revealed?

For certain reach schools ask for strategy surrounding:
- summer/fall visits (and any interviews that may be available) 
- Glimpse video scripts (ask to see counselor’s past videos for successful candidates)
- other interview guides /cheat sheets

For new parents here, I highly recommend you listen to this spring’s Lee Coffin‘s AO podcast from Dartmouth. He explicitly explains how your kids “story” or application narrative is critical in the admissions process.

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