we used one that was 6k. a bunch of our friends in Brooklyn used this person. she wasn't in nyc, but that didn't matter.

helped with courses, summer stuff, lists, all essays. met with my kid over zoom periodically to keep it all on track. She maybe spend 10 hours with my kid or reviewing apps/essays for my kid over the 18 months. it was useful - and I'm glad we didnt' pay more.

Anonymous wrote:But how much essay editing are they doing for this $15k? For 15 schools?

- Are they giving line-by-line edits?

- Thinking about how to showcase certain attributes to match what a T20 is looking for (more entrepreneurialism here and more humanitarianism here)?

An amount of editing that kept everyone’s integrity intact and allowed my child’s voice to shine through in an authentic way. But yes, line by line edits on 12 applications including supplementals and overall guidance on how to construct his story.

I did not think her job was to get my kid into a top 20 school. Rather, she helped narrow the list based on his interests and personality, and ensured every school he ultimately applied to (from likely to reach) was one where he would be able to thrive and would be excited to attend.

So do these counselors basically tie you into a two-year contract regardless of what your outcome is early?

And it ranges from anywhere from 5 to 15 or $20,000 depending on the counselor? That seems to be what I am hearing.

Anonymous wrote:For the DMV area, what is the average cost (all-in) for a college counselor that’s a one-stop shop for extracurricular development, application help, college list making and essay editing? What is the price breakdown for using someone just senior year vs all 4 years of high school?

I know it can vary but I’m curious to know a ball park.

We paid $15K all in, and ended up feeling it wasn't worth it. Our DD got in comfortably to an ED target she fell in love with and she would have been able to comfortably get into without professional hand-holding or professional support.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're looking for our rising 9th. Ranges anywhere from the low $20s to some that are close to $120.

NP here. Can you share some of the names/companies? Is there one you like best? I would also be looking for starting in 9th.

TopTier
Empowerly
IvyWise
PathIvy
Crimson
Solomon
Admittedly

The one I was most impressed with was TopTier and their suite of services, as well as the counselor they assigned to our kid and their overall screening process, which I liked the best. If we had the money ($118K), it would be an easy choice for us! We ended up going with another option on the list that was more affordable. The three I liked the most were TopTier, Crimson, and IvyWise.

I don't want big name national counseling firms where you don't know who you'll get. I want solo essay editors and senior year counselors.

The good ones won’t do senior year only, you can at most get an hour or two of their time, but it’s pretty much too late at that point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For reference, I am a counselor and charge $5500 and generally don't take kids until end of sophomore year. I don't give guidance on ECs, but help families do everything, including build lists, plan college trips, application strategy and completion, personal statement and supplements, LOCIs, emails to reps, etc. I also have a slightly less expensive package for just essays/application. Some of the big companies have reached out in the past year or two and they charge so much more but often their counselors take home less than I do.

$5500 per year or total for junior and senior year?
How many apps and essays? Are you doing heavy edit/feedback with the kids?
Can you post a link?

Yes, $5500 for junior and senior year and it includes all essays, except if you apply to the UC schools (that is an extra fee since they do not use the common app and the PIQs are very specific). I was trained by College Essay Guy and use some of his brainstorming and outlining strategies with students and ultimately teach many of them a lot of grammar and story structure. I have a background in print journalism so can spot interesting details quickly and help kids use those to tell their story. The amount of feedback/editing really depends on the writer and their voice. I don't want to advertise on here but if you post your email, I will send you my site.

Anonymous wrote:For reference, I am a counselor and charge $5500 and generally don't take kids until end of sophomore year. I don't give guidance on ECs, but help families do everything, including build lists, plan college trips, application strategy and completion, personal statement and supplements, LOCIs, emails to reps, etc. I also have a slightly less expensive package for just essays/application. Some of the big companies have reached out in the past year or two and they charge so much more but often their counselors take home less than I do.

$5500 per year or total for junior and senior year?
How many apps and essays? Are you doing heavy edit/feedback with the kids?
Can you post a link?

For reference, I am a counselor and charge $5500 and generally don't take kids until end of sophomore year. I don't give guidance on ECs, but help families do everything, including build lists, plan college trips, application strategy and completion, personal statement and supplements, LOCIs, emails to reps, etc. I also have a slightly less expensive package for just essays/application. Some of the big companies have reached out in the past year or two and they charge so much more but often their counselors take home less than I do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chapter 7 of Selingo's Who Gets In and Why -- "AOs spend less than 5 minutes skimming applicant essays ..."

Correct. And if you have anything that's not stellar /exceptional in the app, a moving and memorable essay DOES WONDERS.
Also a chance to really tie your narrative together.

Does it really?! Aren't tens of thousands of kids writing memorable essays? I really doubt that AOs haven't seen and read it all. After skimming 200 essays in a row, most sound exactly the same. Imagine if you're reading hundreds and hundreds of essays. After a while, they all bleed together. Obviously, I'm not saying write a meaningless essay, but I think "memorable" is subjective when it comes to personal statements and many (THOUSANDS) kids write memorable essays.

Interjecting here.
No most essays are not memorable. They are actually pretty bad (and often written like a proper English essay). A few definitely stand out enough that you re-read everything and consider a different rating.
- admissions reader

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chapter 7 of Selingo's Who Gets In and Why -- "AOs spend less than 5 minutes skimming applicant essays ..."

Correct. And if you have anything that's not stellar /exceptional in the app, a moving and memorable essay DOES WONDERS.
Also a chance to really tie your narrative together.

Does it really?! Aren't tens of thousands of kids writing memorable essays? I really doubt that AOs haven't seen and read it all. After skimming 200 essays in a row, most sound exactly the same. Imagine if you're reading hundreds and hundreds of essays. After a while, they all bleed together. Obviously, I'm not saying write a meaningless essay, but I think "memorable" is subjective when it comes to personal statements and many (THOUSANDS) kids write memorable essays.

Anonymous wrote:Chapter 7 of Selingo's Who Gets In and Why -- "AOs spend less than 5 minutes skimming applicant essays ..."

Correct. And if you have anything that's not stellar /exceptional in the app, a moving and memorable essay DOES WONDERS.
Also a chance to really tie your narrative together.

Chapter 7 of Selingo's Who Gets In and Why -- "AOs spend less than 5 minutes skimming applicant essays ..."

But how much essay editing are they doing for this $15k? For 15 schools?

- Are they giving line-by-line edits?

- Thinking about how to showcase certain attributes to match what a T20 is looking for (more entrepreneurialism here and more humanitarianism here)?

2.5 year package that includes help choosing hs courses, summer programs, essay and common app. $15k

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're looking for our rising 9th. Ranges anywhere from the low $20s to some that are close to $120.

Per hour?

20K to 120K

Wut