Anonymous
02/19/2026 10:39
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Reached out to some contacts who know my work and have my first payment and contract.
I'm charging a little less than the PP above, but in range.
Congratulations and good luck. It sounds like your business will snowball.
We used someone only for the essay. She has a full-time job and does it one the side. It worked out great.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 10:36
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Reached out to some contacts who know my work and have my first payment and contract.
I'm charging a little less than the PP above, but in range.
I think you're only thinking about half the job - the application part. A good part of the work is putting together an appropriate list for a student and that can be hard, especially if the parents (and students) have outdated or unrealistic expectations.
You need a really expensive knowledge of colleges around the country. IECs spend some time on the road visiting colleges so they can advise clients about them.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 09:59
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
OP here. Reached out to some contacts who know my work and have my first payment and contract.
I'm charging a little less than the PP above, but in range.
I'm charging a little less than the PP above, but in range.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 09:39
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
You need to first become a reader for a college. Those jobs will post over the summer. You really need the UCLA certificate and/or reading experience. Start volunteering for low income kids while you spend 1-2 years on the certificate and reading. Then you’ll be ready for your first client.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 09:31
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:While there are plenty of people like you in the IEC ranks, you aren’t qualified to be a counselor because you helped some kids with applications.
PP .. and I didn't listen to people like this, thank god. it's fun and you can definitely break into this and GET qualified. everyone I meet in this area came to it from something else.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 09:30
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
I took a course, did one year volunteering and reading apps for Columbia for basically min wage. Had a few private clients but realized I'm a terrible self promoter. Then went to where my kids went to high school and offered them my services for a pretty reasonable rate - let me help kids just during your busiest time. Meet with kids who want more help to talk through options or essays. Or organize the colleges coming in to do info sessions, etc
So now I work Aug 31 to Dec 20th. I love it. I make okay pay (I dont really need the money, but it's nice) and hope to do this forever basically. Keeps my head in the game (of life) and still can travel with my husband for a month at a time.
So now I work Aug 31 to Dec 20th. I love it. I make okay pay (I dont really need the money, but it's nice) and hope to do this forever basically. Keeps my head in the game (of life) and still can travel with my husband for a month at a time.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 07:09
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
While there are plenty of people like you in the IEC ranks, you aren’t qualified to be a counselor because you helped some kids with applications.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 06:10
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Honestly, just volunteer your time and help kids from under-resourced high schools whose families can't afford consultants. Good way to give back. Does your full time corporate job not pay enough? Plus I know so many moms who think they are college admissions experts after going through the process with their kids - the same way so many new mom writers think they can write a parenting book after they have kids. I am sure you are very good at advising and helping with essays - I am too, and it's been a great for volunteer work. I used to interview for my alma mater as well, and go into under resourced high schools to meet with the students about the college process. It's fulfilling work that really helps others.
Yea, this. OP, you’re not special or unique. Know your limitations.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 05:14
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’m doing this now.
It’s word of mouth only. No advertising, no website. I got the UCLA certificate but honestly it was a waste.
I only do rising seniors.
$300/hr ad hoc in junior year
$5000 for ED/Early school (entire app)
Each subsequent set of supplements is $1-2.5k depending on length of supplements. My rec is to do 2-5 RD apps prior to late December (I won’t be available then - or if I am it’s 2-3x rates)….
Most kids the bill is btw $7500-10k. Some closer to $25k for a lot of handholding. If you change majors, entire common app will be redone.
It’s been a good year for my kids !!!! So proud of the outcomes.
Congrats. You are skillful at scamming rich,anxious parents out of a lot of money.
And I guess I don’t get it. Why pay $7500-$25K for something you (or more specifically, your child) can/should do on your own?
I have one off at college. The admissions process, while lengthy and burdensome, wasn’t actually that difficult to navigate. And when my kid had a question, she simply looked the answer up.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 05:08
Subject: Re:Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
How are you mentoring kids through undergrad? What kind of ongoing support do you provide and needs do they have?
Anonymous
02/19/2026 04:33
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:I’m doing this now.
It’s word of mouth only. No advertising, no website. I got the UCLA certificate but honestly it was a waste.
I only do rising seniors.
$300/hr ad hoc in junior year
$5000 for ED/Early school (entire app)
Each subsequent set of supplements is $1-2.5k depending on length of supplements. My rec is to do 2-5 RD apps prior to late December (I won’t be available then - or if I am it’s 2-3x rates)….
Most kids the bill is btw $7500-10k. Some closer to $25k for a lot of handholding. If you change majors, entire common app will be redone.
It’s been a good year for my kids !!!! So proud of the outcomes.
Congrats. You are skillful at scamming rich,anxious parents out of a lot of money.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 04:14
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Honestly, just volunteer your time and help kids from under-resourced high schools whose families can't afford consultants. Good way to give back. Does your full time corporate job not pay enough? Plus I know so many moms who think they are college admissions experts after going through the process with their kids - the same way so many new mom writers think they can write a parenting book after they have kids. I am sure you are very good at advising and helping with essays - I am too, and it's been a great for volunteer work. I used to interview for my alma mater as well, and go into under resourced high schools to meet with the students about the college process. It's fulfilling work that really helps others.
This is the best advice on this thread. I once volunteered for an organization that does this and found the work to be so rewarding. I still keep up with a couple of the students, who are now in their 30s.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 02:37
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
It is a business that everyone thinks they can do. The bar to entry is low.
However, the best ones are able to book ahead with word of mouth and referrals from previous clients and your network.
I run my own business doing this, but I do it full time. Keep in mind that if you only do it part time, you might not be a match for the type of service people want. Demanding families generally will pay for someone who does this full time; working around your corporate schedule is going to be difficult.
However, the best ones are able to book ahead with word of mouth and referrals from previous clients and your network.
I run my own business doing this, but I do it full time. Keep in mind that if you only do it part time, you might not be a match for the type of service people want. Demanding families generally will pay for someone who does this full time; working around your corporate schedule is going to be difficult.
Anonymous
02/18/2026 22:33
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
I’m doing this now.
It’s word of mouth only. No advertising, no website. I got the UCLA certificate but honestly it was a waste.
I only do rising seniors.
$300/hr ad hoc in junior year
$5000 for ED/Early school (entire app)
Each subsequent set of supplements is $1-2.5k depending on length of supplements. My rec is to do 2-5 RD apps prior to late December (I won’t be available then - or if I am it’s 2-3x rates)….
Most kids the bill is btw $7500-10k. Some closer to $25k for a lot of handholding. If you change majors, entire common app will be redone.
It’s been a good year for my kids !!!! So proud of the outcomes.
It’s word of mouth only. No advertising, no website. I got the UCLA certificate but honestly it was a waste.
I only do rising seniors.
$300/hr ad hoc in junior year
$5000 for ED/Early school (entire app)
Each subsequent set of supplements is $1-2.5k depending on length of supplements. My rec is to do 2-5 RD apps prior to late December (I won’t be available then - or if I am it’s 2-3x rates)….
Most kids the bill is btw $7500-10k. Some closer to $25k for a lot of handholding. If you change majors, entire common app will be redone.
It’s been a good year for my kids !!!! So proud of the outcomes.
Anonymous
02/18/2026 21:53
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:You need to complete the UCLA college counseling certificate and join the IECA organization before you think about charging.
But honestly, the world doesn’t need more independent counselors helping rich people. You could make a HUGE difference by volunteering to help at a Boys and Girls club or even an essay workshop at a high school without as many resources. Call the counseling office at Justice and offer to volunteer.
You do not need to complete a certificate and join an org before charging.