I think you get gain credibility doing a couple of cycles as an application reader/essay reader. You can do that from home.

You will really need to work in admissions or student services before you will be seen as credible, which means you will be making a tiny salary (even at an elite school).

Independent high schools want someone with elite college admissions office experience.

Maybe you could connect with already-established private counselors and join as an associate before hanging up your own shingle.

You must first work in admissions, it doesn’t matter if it’s a joke of a college. Start applying.

https://www.higheredjobs.com/admin/search.cfm?JobCat=14

You:

- helped kids (plural) this last cycle (2024-2025) look into under the radar schools

- Have 2 kids admitted into T20s in last 2 years

- and this last cycle (‘24-‘25) helped 3 kids get T10/Ivies

Who are all these friends coming to you for help? (You mentioned your kids (example 2) and friends and family for example 3) — so example 1 (all friends) and 3 at least partially friends). All these friends and family members (at least 5) during the last cycle are coming to you for advice on narrative development, essays, EC development, Supp brainstorming- all the way to LOCIs.

So so so weird and seems unbelievable. And your kids get T20 but you got 3 others into ivies/T10s?

You will do well bc much of college app advising is unregulated and people can say whatever.

OP, I think it really depends on your ultimate goal.

If you want this to continue to be just a nice side hustle, I think reading as many current sources as possible and growing the business by word of mouth is a reasonable strategy.

I wouldn't go back to college, but if there are certification classes, that seems like a good idea.

If you want to really grow it, you should look into doing some advertising, public events at a library, etc.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:I've thought the same, OP, but what dissuades me is realizing that I feel like 90% of the job is going to be trying to redirect overly optimistic parents from Stanford or MIT or Princeton to … any number of fantastic schools that they just don't want to hear about. And that's a very different kind of work from the exciting parts of learning more about schools, analyzing CDSs, going on tours, etc.

OP here.
Agree. I had to do that to a friend - I sent her links to multiple threads on Reddit so she could get an idea of the kinds of kids with amazing profiles that are generally rejected from top schools with oversubscribed majors. If you are new to the process, it can blow your mind.

I have been successful and convincing just these few this past cycle to apply to some under the radar schools where surprisingly their kids got amazing merit. It definitely opened their eyes to a larger world, but you are right. It is an uphill battle.

For all of you, how much does branding matter? All of the glitz & the glamour or more bare bones?

How many people that you know are looking for full service college counseling packages vs ad hoc hourly packages (that might give you a product or deliverable in the end)?

Anonymous wrote:I’m a longtime poster here. Have 2 kids in college - both T20. I learned a LOT here and didn’t hire a counselor for them and they had very successful cycles (in last 2 years).

I really enjoy reading about this field, listening to a ton of podcasts etc. And, this past cycle I helped 3 (friends & family) get into T10/Ivies. Helped with narrative development, essays, EC development, Supp brainstorming- all the way to LOCIs.

Have undergrad and professional degrees from T10; semi-retired from a professional career.

Does anyone know how I would get into real private counseling? Should I go back to school for this (which seems kind of pointless)? Should I just get IEC certified? Hang up a shingle? What is the best way -besides word of mouth?

I have no clue but love hearing someone out there trying follow a dream!

Anonymous wrote:Get a job in college admissions first.

This. And then work for another company to get your feet wet (learn the contracts, process, sequential steps, etc) . Then go out on your own.

I've thought the same, OP, but what dissuades me is realizing that I feel like 90% of the job is going to be trying to redirect overly optimistic parents from Stanford or MIT or Princeton to … any number of fantastic schools that they just don't want to hear about. And that's a very different kind of work from the exciting parts of learning more about schools, analyzing CDSs, going on tours, etc.

I'd take the certification classes and then put out your availability to people you know.

You can also volunteer with organizations that provide counseling for FGLI students.

See what the professional standards are. They might be found on the NACAC website.

Spam the forums with your brag sheet. This thread is a good start.

Get a job in college admissions first.

I’m a longtime poster here. Have 2 kids in college - both T20. I learned a LOT here and didn’t hire a counselor for them and they had very successful cycles (in last 2 years).

I really enjoy reading about this field, listening to a ton of podcasts etc. And, this past cycle I helped 3 (friends & family) get into T10/Ivies. Helped with narrative development, essays, EC development, Supp brainstorming- all the way to LOCIs.

Have undergrad and professional degrees from T10; semi-retired from a professional career.

Does anyone know how I would get into real private counseling? Should I go back to school for this (which seems kind of pointless)? Should I just get IEC certified? Hang up a shingle? What is the best way -besides word of mouth?