My sister is a private college counselor in Westchester Cty NY. Around ED time she was lamenting what a tough year it was - I spoke to her recently and she feels college choices wound up working out well for most of her students - exceptions being those shooting for ivies but those are always tough to gauge.

Independent counselors and HS college guidance counselors: Please tell us your perspectives. Did things shake out like you expected? What surprised you? Any lessons learned? How are you handling kids who ended up only getting into 1-2 schools (safeties), since it seems like a lot of people are talking about this outcome on the board? Which waitlists do you expect to move?

It must have been a tough for professionals in your field this year.