Anonymous wrote:We looked into this as my DD was in a unique situation.

She had excellent community service already. The guy wanted to help her open nationwide chapters with his other students. Quoted 40k. He has now raised his rates to 80k.

Another woman said 25k for first meeting and then in an hourly basis — maybe 1k per hr.

Absolute nuts!!!

Ended up getting essay help (not even editing, just bouncing ideas) that was because I was too emotionally involved to read my DD’s essays. It was for my mental health.

Our guy was by the hour. We thought he was very fair

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recommend against College Bound in Potomac Village. Hugely unqualified. We actually stopped using them even though we already paid bc they were truly useless and actually detrimental. Lacked in organization and insight.

+10. We used them also and I agree. Paid $1500 for a list and little guidance. Didn’t even contact us to “refine the list”. Detrimental. Not available. Uses an essay writer for $250 an hour. That might have been the only thing that was a bit helpful, but really not for that amount. Terrible and I don’t recommend them

Essay writer -- as in wrote the essays instead of the child writing them?

We used a independent counselor. But, before hiring her, we interviewed a wide variety of of counselors, some independent and others members of larger firms. All were highly recommended to us by folks who had actually used their services. We let our DS select the person with whom he felt most comfortable. The counselor we hired began working with DS in 10th grade. She helped him with course selection, summer school applications to highly selective programs, ECs, college list, essays, interview prep and the common app itself. Her guidance went so far beyond what our private school could provide. Very pleased with the investment -- money well spent.

We also had an underwhelming experience with college bound. my daughter wanted to use them based on a friend's older sister. they were detrimental, as the previous poster used. we realized this halfway thru and stopped using them and ended up hiring an essay specialist, which was much less $ and much more useful.

Anonymous wrote:I recommend against College Bound in Potomac Village. Hugely unqualified. We actually stopped using them even though we already paid bc they were truly useless and actually detrimental. Lacked in organization and insight.

+10. We used them also and I agree. Paid $1500 for a list and little guidance. Didn’t even contact us to “refine the list”. Detrimental. Not available. Uses an essay writer for $250 an hour. That might have been the only thing that was a bit helpful, but really not for that amount. Terrible and I don’t recommend them

SO not 2022-2023 but within the last couple of years, yes. Three kids at Ivies. No legacy, No URM, no hooks other than full pay (which does not help at Ivies). Second half of Ivy but I will take it (not HYP) but 3 of the other 5.

I recommend against College Bound in Potomac Village. Hugely unqualified. We actually stopped using them even though we already paid bc they were truly useless and actually detrimental. Lacked in organization and insight.

We hired one for DS. It cost about 2500. It did force him to be disciplined. I feel like the school choices were random but I think that was DS’s fault as he was not emotionally prepared to make decisions. He is in at 8 and deferred at 3. I think that was predictable based on stats.

Hired a different one for DD20. Hers was $500 an hour, spent close to $20k. They really clicked but not worth the $$. Private counselor and school counselor came up with basically the same list. Her essay was decent but spent a ton of time online with the counselor brainstorming. She was going for higher ranked schools than DS. Got into 7 of 9.

I think they can be good for helping with the list (neither of ours were great for that), getting the CA essay done early, helping with/encouraging time management, and keeping expectations real (like not applying to all reaches).

You could easily do this process without, but it does help.

Wow! That is $$$
It is possible to do it yourself as all the info is available online if you are willing to spend some time doing research.
There are good podcasts available for free and some admissions departments even have their own podcasts.
Working with our own kids was stressful but it didn’t feel like nagging as the kids wanted guidance.
ED applications for my kids went in at 11.59 pm for a midnight deadline. Obviously less than ideal and very stressful but both my kids got in ED.
You have to be realistic about your kids stats and be smart about where to apply. Some parents find that hard to do so a counselor can be useful.
We asked friends and family who were strong writers for feedback on essays. It helps to have someone who doesn’t know your kid well read the essay

Anonymous wrote:We looked into this as my DD was in a unique situation.

She had excellent community service already. The guy wanted to help her open nationwide chapters with his other students. Quoted 40k. He has now raised his rates to 80k.

Another woman said 25k for first meeting and then in an hourly basis — maybe 1k per hr.

Absolute nuts!!!

Ended up getting essay help (not even editing, just bouncing ideas) that was because I was too emotionally involved to read my DD’s essays. It was for my mental health.

These are crazy prices…mine are in the 10-14k range.

We looked into this as my DD was in a unique situation.

She had excellent community service already. The guy wanted to help her open nationwide chapters with his other students. Quoted 40k. He has now raised his rates to 80k.

Another woman said 25k for first meeting and then in an hourly basis — maybe 1k per hr.

Absolute nuts!!!

Ended up getting essay help (not even editing, just bouncing ideas) that was because I was too emotionally involved to read my DD’s essays. It was for my mental health.

My perspective: College counselors/college consultants are a diverse bunch, but typically not the brightest bulbs in the lamp. Many are former admissions officers. About 15 or 20 years ago, I tried to partner with one who had experience at Princeton & a few other super elite LACs. He was a complete jerk. I stayed on my own. but, if you read his resume, you would be impressed. I felt like I was dealing with an immature 15 year old. I am not kidding.

Hired one (the same one) for 2 children, 2 years apart. Agree what's important is the reason why you are hiring them. For us, it was to help them curate lists (both knew what they were looking for by the time she was hired), and get well-done and complete applications in on time, without us (parents) needing to nag, I mean remind, of deadlines. Cost was $125/hour, DC 1 used a lot more hours than DC 2.

DC 1 did not get into a couple targets, and was WL at several reaches (they ultimately decided to go to a place that "wanted them" and are very happy and doing well at what DC 1 once considered a safety school)

DC 2 got in ED where they wanted and is also thriving

We parents are happy with the results. No, I won't put their contact info out on this board. Post on your HS list serv, NextDoor, etc. to find someone

Hired a counselor. Some early advice was good (get testing over with) and appreciated review of essays and keeping student on task. Did not think counselor was particularly helpful on college choices or strategy. If I did it again would not get package as we did not use much time; would pay by the hour for what we needed. Student got in ED1 but no idea how much it had to do with counselor.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the responses. I understand why some are hesitant to post the names of those they worked with, but is it possible to post how much the service cost?

And also want to add - it would be helpful if you say that it's an independent counselor or a larger nationwide company.

Thanks for considering.