What is the best way to find such a person?

Ask your friends and others. Ideally, ask people who already have a kid in college and people with kids at other schools as they may be more likely to admit they used a counselor and share the information. Ask work colleagues, friends, acquaintances, and parents in activities you or your kid are in.

They may or may not be willing to share the cost. So, I would not even ask. Instead, focus on asking what services they used the counselor for, were they happy with the outcome, etc. You can get the contact info and find out pricing on your own. This way you can narrow in on referrals that meet your needs (in your case you may be looking for full service). (And, you do not have to spend tens of thousands.)

Then start making calls. I would recommend finding one or two that you like and then have your child talk to them (a good counselor will probably not take the job without talking to you both). This also means your DC will have a stake in who they are working with.

I agree that this is far beyond the counselor’s role in MCPS. Getting an email returned is probably beyond their role.

We used a counselor and have zero regrets. High achieving independent school that kid responded better to counselor, felt like they had more control over the process. Counselor helped a lot in our view. We interviewed three before deciding on one. We wanted someone with experience but who was young enough to connect with our kid. Also wanted someone who had worked with students from our independent school and knew the rigor/program. Also wanted someone who had the right resources (and data) to help analyze school choices beyond just relying on SCOIR and CDS. Cross checked by talking to parents who worked with counselor.

OP: I recommend you talk with neighbors with college-aged kids to ask for consultant recommendations. Or, use the IECA "Find A Consultant" search function to find Professional-level consultants in your zip code. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:We have a consultant. They begin in January and stick with you through the whole process. It's about $5K for 10 applications/schools. We interviewed several. Our kid is aiming for the tippy top and is a good candidate but is having trouble coming around to even looking at non-tippy top schools which is unhealthy and unrealistic. Part of what the consultant is doing for our family is managing that, and the kid is willing to work with them. They have already given some valuable advice.

My advice is to have your kid talk to similar kids and see what they are doing and what their siblings did.

Ours is $2500/school (for T20/30) and they do everything. Inspect each and every word and come up with strategy. Review an d rewrite each app 20+ times.
NY based

My DS applied to college last year after graduating from a public HS so I understand. There is a lot of information about college admissions on YouTube, although much of it is geared towards high achieving kids, so I would start there before getting a college counselor.

Search for Lisa McLaughlin (goes beyond high achievers)

Ivy Admissions Help (high achievers but not just Ivys and overall guidance in a matter of fact way, with interesting 8:00 videos about the unique features of about 20 highly ranked schools)

College Meister (similar to Ivy Admissions Help
Help)

ElvatED School (some interesting perspectives on how to tailor applications and essays to specific top rated schools)

Of course, you have to filter what they say and decide how much, if any, is helpful.

Given that my DS wasn’t applying to a Top 20 other than a UC, I didn’t need a consultant as my DS could write fairly well. But even if you do need one, these videos may help you understand the services you need.

^Also, be direct about your budget. You can find consultancies that charge 20-30K. In my opinion they are the types that work to make kinds into who they are not. We were looking for someone to spend time with our kid who is who they are, advising about choices and materials.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - To add a little more information, our DC is difficult/challenging and does not want to listen to mom and dad. Mom and dad applied to college 30-40 years ago; work very busy jobs; and want to remove ourselves from what will be a stressful, time-consuming process. We also want this to be DC's choice, and not feel like we are unduly influencing her based on our college decisions and biases.

I realize this is not for everyone, but I am looking for helpful feedback.

Well, if he's so damned "difficult and challenging" then why indulge him further by hiring a consultant for him? Have him do it himself. Maybe he'll actually learn to appreciate you.

The "work very busy jobs" is pretty telling as well. Maybe it's time to focus more on your children and less on your careers.

We have a consultant. They begin in January and stick with you through the whole process. It's about $5K for 10 applications/schools. We interviewed several. Our kid is aiming for the tippy top and is a good candidate but is having trouble coming around to even looking at non-tippy top schools which is unhealthy and unrealistic. Part of what the consultant is doing for our family is managing that, and the kid is willing to work with them. They have already given some valuable advice.

My advice is to have your kid talk to similar kids and see what they are doing and what their siblings did.

I think you should think about the kind of help you will need beforebyou hire someone. Strategy? course selection/summer plans? Test prep? College list? Essays? I would be wary of any set package until you have experience or confidence in a person/company. We used different people for different things bc not everyone has expertise in all areas. We did strategy, courses, summer, amd college list on our own. We did hire a great test prep company and hired an independent essay coach for essays. Both of those resources were a worthwhile investment and reduced friction in our household. Yes, you can hire a full service consultant but they often require the kid to do the school research on their own anyway...

OP here - To add a little more information, our DC is difficult/challenging and does not want to listen to mom and dad. Mom and dad applied to college 30-40 years ago; work very busy jobs; and want to remove ourselves from what will be a stressful, time-consuming process. We also want this to be DC's choice, and not feel like we are unduly influencing her based on our college decisions and biases.

I realize this is not for everyone, but I am looking for helpful feedback.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi,

Given our DC goes to MCPS, we do not anticipate the counselors will have sufficient time to help with the college planning process. As such. we are looking for someone who previously worked in college admissions to help guide our DC in choosing schools, filling out applications, and writing essays. What is the best way to find such a person?

Thanks in advance.

Not worth it. You'll spend as much time going back and forth with the counselor about your child's academic record and interests than if you just google the process. There is a finite range of schools. Narrow it down. Tippy top student aiming high? Top 20% student aiming average? Urban? Suburban? Major? How much can you afford? This takes 20 minutes of your time and really you know the answers than any supposed counselor.

Let's just say that the parent can follow your directions and replace the work of an experienced consultant with Google. Do applications and essays take 20 minutes to complete?

Ridiculous waste of money.

Anonymous wrote:Hi,

Given our DC goes to MCPS, we do not anticipate the counselors will have sufficient time to help with the college planning process. As such. we are looking for someone who previously worked in college admissions to help guide our DC in choosing schools, filling out applications, and writing essays. What is the best way to find such a person?

Thanks in advance.

Not worth it. You'll spend as much time going back and forth with the counselor about your child's academic record and interests than if you just google the process. There is a finite range of schools. Narrow it down. Tippy top student aiming high? Top 20% student aiming average? Urban? Suburban? Major? How much can you afford? This takes 20 minutes of your time and really you know the answers than any supposed counselor.

Hi,

Given our DC goes to MCPS, we do not anticipate the counselors will have sufficient time to help with the college planning process. As such. we are looking for someone who previously worked in college admissions to help guide our DC in choosing schools, filling out applications, and writing essays. What is the best way to find such a person?

Thanks in advance.