Anonymous
Post 09/17/2025 04:04     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
I’m surprised AN membership is still open. Does that mean business is bad?
Anonymous
Post 09/17/2025 02:21     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?


Why is this even a question?

After you get to know this process, you would see that every counselor/consultant message/post/article is designed to make the process look as complicated as possible, designed to make you think there are secrets that your child would be hurt by not knowing about and which they can help, increase your stress levels by promoting FOMO, etc.

Sara Harberson and the U Mich former AO, are masters at this game. Every aspect of their consulting service is designed with FOMO in mind.

Exclusive offers that need to be signed up before everything is gone, "limited spots", artificial cutoffs that have no other purpose than to create exclusivity, etc.



+1
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:59     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?


I don't like games, so would avoid anyone that plays one. Try to be realistic, find a counselor that presents her service as facilitating the process, not making magics happen.



You don’t need a counselor - other than the school counselor to submit required paperwork.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:59     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?


Why is this even a question?

After you get to know this process, you would see that every counselor/consultant message/post/article is designed to make the process look as complicated as possible, designed to make you think there are secrets that your child would be hurt by not knowing about and which they can help, increase your stress levels by promoting FOMO, etc.

Sara Harberson and the U Mich former AO, are masters at this game. Every aspect of their consulting service is designed with FOMO in mind.

Exclusive offers that need to be signed up before everything is gone, "limited spots", artificial cutoffs that have no other purpose than to create exclusivity, etc.



This.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:58     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Had zero issues working with the college counselor at our private. Felt he gave excellent advice and kid is at their first choice school.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:58     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Because it is.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:58     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
It is big business OP. But, anyone who wants to stay in business and get referrals will try to do the best job possible. There isn't much than can do for kids who didn't give it their all in HS.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:57     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?


Yes.
Each of us is the main character in our own story … but not in anyone else’s.

Consult experts. That can be helpful in the aggregate. But keep in mind that by definition, no one cares as much as you do.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:56     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?


I don't like games, so would avoid anyone that plays one. Try to be realistic, find a counselor that presents her service as facilitating the process, not making magics happen.



If you’re at a public with good counselors who are organized then trust them and how they work with kids. Churchill HS is a well oiled organized college admissions machine.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:55     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?


I don't like games, so would avoid anyone that plays one. Try to be realistic, find a counselor that presents her service as facilitating the process, not making magics happen.



Strongly agree with this!
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:53     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
These people are all professionals who deal with tens of thousands of high schoolers during the course of their careers. Yes, they care (most of them at least), but they are being paid to do a job, they are not "invested in your child's growth." Why would they be? They are allocating their time as best they can. Your child will only ever come first to you and your family. Whether your child gets into their dream school, or their Plan D school, doesn't matter to anyone outside of your family.
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:52     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?


Why is this even a question?

After you get to know this process, you would see that every counselor/consultant message/post/article is designed to make the process look as complicated as possible, designed to make you think there are secrets that your child would be hurt by not knowing about and which they can help, increase your stress levels by promoting FOMO, etc.

Sara Harberson and the U Mich former AO, are masters at this game. Every aspect of their consulting service is designed with FOMO in mind.

Exclusive offers that need to be signed up before everything is gone, "limited spots", artificial cutoffs that have no other purpose than to create exclusivity, etc.



I agree. Freshman son managed it all on his own much to my dismay at the time. Was I hyped up and stressed, yes. He figured it out on his own and applied where he wanted and got in where he wanted potentially to avoid my stress. Who knows. The FAFSA process is equally mysterious and needlessly stressful. Didn’t qualify for more than loans.

The entire process is all hyped up and money driven. The “best” schools aren’t even the “best schools. What’s best for your child?
Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:50     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?


I don't like games, so would avoid anyone that plays one. Try to be realistic, find a counselor that presents her service as facilitating the process, not making magics happen.

Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:44     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?


Why is this even a question?

After you get to know this process, you would see that every counselor/consultant message/post/article is designed to make the process look as complicated as possible, designed to make you think there are secrets that your child would be hurt by not knowing about and which they can help, increase your stress levels by promoting FOMO, etc.

Sara Harberson and the U Mich former AO, are masters at this game. Every aspect of their consulting service is designed with FOMO in mind.

Exclusive offers that need to be signed up before everything is gone, "limited spots", artificial cutoffs that have no other purpose than to create exclusivity, etc.

Anonymous
Post 09/16/2025 21:33     Subject: Everything feels like a business when it comes to college admissions
Sorry for the rant, but it really feels hard to find teachers, coaches, counselors, or consultants who are genuinely invested in helping my child grow.
Am I asking for too much?