Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many moms think just because they assisted their kids and family members they are qualified to be a college counselor. But it’s highly unlikely you can replicate your results next year because you’ve never worked in an admission office so do not actually know why your students were admitted. OP start volunteering with college match or similar group before trying to become the next Nina Marks.

NP. I disagree. I did the research and helped my kid get into schools that are unheard of for our local public. I volunteered for the heck of it and helped kids get into HYPSM and many prestigious SLACs. You know what I learned? Most kids write shitty essays that seem to be what gets them rejected. I don’t think a good essay can get you in, but an essay that is acceptable will at least not put you in the reject pile. So if you have the stats, you can get in by having an adult who understands what colleges are looking for review your essays and other application components. I am in the UCLA program and having fun. OP - sign up! You might love it.

How much does the ucla program cost?

Around 6k. Google “ucla extension college counseling certificate” for more details.

Have heard good things about UCI extension too. And have heard that there are even shorter programs through other UCs? Check them out. I am enjoying this and learning a lot.

There is a summer training institute held through IECA (I think, but I am not doing it myself) that some people use as a start — it is around 1k.

Join IECA as a student or HECA to get 10% discount on courses.

Good luck!

U-Miami is looking for a seasonal part-time reader.

https://careers.miami.edu/us/en/job/R100087740/File-Reader-for-Undergraduate-Admission-Domestic-Applications-Temporary-Position-%C2%A0

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many moms think just because they assisted their kids and family members they are qualified to be a college counselor. But it’s highly unlikely you can replicate your results next year because you’ve never worked in an admission office so do not actually know why your students were admitted. OP start volunteering with college match or similar group before trying to become the next Nina Marks.

NP. I disagree. I did the research and helped my kid get into schools that are unheard of for our local public. I volunteered for the heck of it and helped kids get into HYPSM and many prestigious SLACs. You know what I learned? Most kids write shitty essays that seem to be what gets them rejected. I don’t think a good essay can get you in, but an essay that is acceptable will at least not put you in the reject pile. So if you have the stats, you can get in by having an adult who understands what colleges are looking for review your essays and other application components. I am in the UCLA program and having fun. OP - sign up! You might love it.

I agree with this. Most kids have no idea how to position themselves (with essays and all the other stuff in the application) so they end up sounding like every top stats kid who wants to be a doctor or SWE etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Thank you all for the feedback.

I've been doing some of the "free" stuff already (on Reddit - helping some FGLI kids as well as scholar match). Will look into other suggestions now - thank you!!

For the PP, who doubted me - how weird?
I have two kids (my own) who I've helped get into multiple T20. Through a local org supporting low-income kids (similar to B&G club), I've read drafts and completed apps for several (yes, plural) kids.

And then, yes, if you are our age, you have a LOT of friends and family who come to you once they see the success your kid has had in the process (read this, help review draft app, revise EC list, suggest summer activities to support major, develop a "theme").

My own kids actually didn't have perfect stats or profiles AT ALL - and one actually had some "flaws". I'm not even advertising here - why the HATE or disbelief? My own kids didn't have the perfect stats for HYPSM, but other friends & relatives did (and were eventually successful). Why is that hard to believe?

Anyway, to the actual helpful responders, thank you. I'll explore opportunities for application reading this summer, along with perhaps trying to get some experience with a more legit private counseling firm.

You do? Honestly and with all due respect I have never seen this happen with anyone in our large family and friend group ever. Lots of parents have kids who are admitted to top colleges who are not inundated like you say you have been. It’s just not typical. If it’s happening the way you describe, it’s because you were taking the lead other parents - not the other way around.

I literally know of no one who has ever gotten involved with any of their kids’ friends’ parents over the details of their college applications the way that you have described. Not once.

That's because you don't know people like OP - who literally micromanage every detail of their kids' college applications and talk incessantly about it to others. I have one kid in college and one applying next year, and I will occasionally run across a parent like OP. Last time, it was over drinks with a mom I've known casually for years, but it was the first time I'd seen her since her kid got into college. She not only told me about his application process in excruciating detail, she read me parts of his personal statement from her phone. She was clearly extremely proud of herself for writing it (or, to give her the benefit of the doubt, rewriting it). Since then, she has offered multiple times to help with my younger child's process because she thinks he will "need help" beyond what our high school counseling office can offer. I have started to avoid her.

omg. that sounds horrid. Big 3?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Thank you all for the feedback.

I've been doing some of the "free" stuff already (on Reddit - helping some FGLI kids as well as scholar match). Will look into other suggestions now - thank you!!

For the PP, who doubted me - how weird?
I have two kids (my own) who I've helped get into multiple T20. Through a local org supporting low-income kids (similar to B&G club), I've read drafts and completed apps for several (yes, plural) kids.

And then, yes, if you are our age, you have a LOT of friends and family who come to you once they see the success your kid has had in the process (read this, help review draft app, revise EC list, suggest summer activities to support major, develop a "theme").

My own kids actually didn't have perfect stats or profiles AT ALL - and one actually had some "flaws". I'm not even advertising here - why the HATE or disbelief? My own kids didn't have the perfect stats for HYPSM, but other friends & relatives did (and were eventually successful). Why is that hard to believe?

Anyway, to the actual helpful responders, thank you. I'll explore opportunities for application reading this summer, along with perhaps trying to get some experience with a more legit private counseling firm.

You do? Honestly and with all due respect I have never seen this happen with anyone in our large family and friend group ever. Lots of parents have kids who are admitted to top colleges who are not inundated like you say you have been. It’s just not typical. If it’s happening the way you describe, it’s because you were taking the lead other parents - not the other way around.

I literally know of no one who has ever gotten involved with any of their kids’ friends’ parents over the details of their college applications the way that you have described. Not once.

That's because you don't know people like OP - who literally micromanage every detail of their kids' college applications and talk incessantly about it to others. I have one kid in college and one applying next year, and I will occasionally run across a parent like OP. Last time, it was over drinks with a mom I've known casually for years, but it was the first time I'd seen her since her kid got into college. She not only told me about his application process in excruciating detail, she read me parts of his personal statement from her phone. She was clearly extremely proud of herself for writing it (or, to give her the benefit of the doubt, rewriting it). Since then, she has offered multiple times to help with my younger child's process because she thinks he will "need help" beyond what our high school counseling office can offer. I have started to avoid her.

Well, I don’t know about all of that, but I did find it weird I will admit. OP says when you reach “our“ age and the kids have college admissions success this sort of thing is kind of inevitable - but we sent four kids to college, and we never had any of those kind of conversations with literally anyone. Not even family. And our kids went to good schools as did many of our relatives and friends’ kids and of course many of our kids’ friends. It was just not a topic of conversation other than “so where is Susie going to college? Oh, that’s great!“

Of course, I cannot speak for everyone, but I’d be very surprised if most people in the world were in OP‘s class when it comes to this kind of thing as opposed to ours.

This. i am the first one who said it is odd. It is odd. Sounds like a busy body who is trying to make it appear this organically happened. It did not, though I also suspect OP is far exaggerating her worth and input, even if unintentionally. From her perspective, she probably legitimately believes she was the instrumental piece that got those kids into those schools, including the ones she “got” kids to apply to instead of ones who were out of reach.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Joe’s hiring readers: https://www.higheredjobs.com/admin/details.cfm?JobCode=179152543&Title=Application%20Reader%2C%20Enrollment%20Operations

Requires at least a previous year of reading apps. OP is out.

OP could email their dean and explain her situation, they could be able to substitute prior experience.

Not really

It literally says: In lieu of previous reading experience, prior experience as a school based counselor or independent consultant/counselor can be substituted.

Sheesh, have none of you ever heard that thing about how women don't apply for jobs or promotions unless they are 100% qualified, while men will apply for practically anything?

I don't think OP is crazy for wanting to do this!

She was neither. She was someone who says she helped some friends and family. Are you suggesting she lie? Expand on the truth?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Thank you all for the feedback.

I've been doing some of the "free" stuff already (on Reddit - helping some FGLI kids as well as scholar match). Will look into other suggestions now - thank you!!

For the PP, who doubted me - how weird?
I have two kids (my own) who I've helped get into multiple T20. Through a local org supporting low-income kids (similar to B&G club), I've read drafts and completed apps for several (yes, plural) kids.

And then, yes, if you are our age, you have a LOT of friends and family who come to you once they see the success your kid has had in the process (read this, help review draft app, revise EC list, suggest summer activities to support major, develop a "theme").

My own kids actually didn't have perfect stats or profiles AT ALL - and one actually had some "flaws". I'm not even advertising here - why the HATE or disbelief? My own kids didn't have the perfect stats for HYPSM, but other friends & relatives did (and were eventually successful). Why is that hard to believe?

Anyway, to the actual helpful responders, thank you. I'll explore opportunities for application reading this summer, along with perhaps trying to get some experience with a more legit private counseling firm.

You do? Honestly and with all due respect I have never seen this happen with anyone in our large family and friend group ever. Lots of parents have kids who are admitted to top colleges who are not inundated like you say you have been. It’s just not typical. If it’s happening the way you describe, it’s because you were taking the lead other parents - not the other way around.

I literally know of no one who has ever gotten involved with any of their kids’ friends’ parents over the details of their college applications the way that you have described. Not once.

That's because you don't know people like OP - who literally micromanage every detail of their kids' college applications and talk incessantly about it to others. I have one kid in college and one applying next year, and I will occasionally run across a parent like OP. Last time, it was over drinks with a mom I've known casually for years, but it was the first time I'd seen her since her kid got into college. She not only told me about his application process in excruciating detail, she read me parts of his personal statement from her phone. She was clearly extremely proud of herself for writing it (or, to give her the benefit of the doubt, rewriting it). Since then, she has offered multiple times to help with my younger child's process because she thinks he will "need help" beyond what our high school counseling office can offer. I have started to avoid her.

Well, I don’t know about all of that, but I did find it weird I will admit. OP says when you reach “our“ age and the kids have college admissions success this sort of thing is kind of inevitable - but we sent four kids to college, and we never had any of those kind of conversations with literally anyone. Not even family. And our kids went to good schools as did many of our relatives and friends’ kids and of course many of our kids’ friends. It was just not a topic of conversation other than “so where is Susie going to college? Oh, that’s great!“

Of course, I cannot speak for everyone, but I’d be very surprised if most people in the world were in OP‘s class when it comes to this kind of thing as opposed to ours.

Our child is currently working with a college counselor (and not to talk us out of Stanford or MIT--those schools aren't on the radar for our kid). We interviewed several potential counselors before hiring one and there was a huge difference between those who had worked full time for several years in a major college admissions office and those who sound like OP (whom I also laud for following her dreams, so not trying to tear her down!). Those who have worked in admissions just have a much deeper understanding of the current landscape IMO and are more able to support a diversity of student applicants. I also agree with PP who said that another part of what matters is connecting with kids. We hired a counselor in large part to serve as an intermediary for us and it's worked beautifully but that's because the counselor does a great job chatting with our kid and guiding them in different ways. You need to be someone a student really listens to and trusts in a way they might not with their parents.

I think OP could do this as a side hustle without diving into working full-time at a college admissions office for years, especially if she charges a bit under market. It really depends what she's hoping for long-term.

I also think it's odd that OP and some others think they "got their kids into" top schools. We, or a counselor, can guide a kid to a degree but no, we are not getting them in. We didn't hire a counselor to get our kid in anywhere and are under no illusions that this is how things work.

Anonymous wrote:I've thought the same OP. I got my two kids into different Ivies (unhooked) over the past 2 cycles. They had good but not perfect high school records.A lot of it was knowing the quirks of the industry which I picked up on Reddit, College Confidential, etc.

I do agree that the first step would be being an application reader.

Would you be willing to share some of these quirks, or at least the specific Reddit forums you found helpful?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Thank you all for the feedback.

I've been doing some of the "free" stuff already (on Reddit - helping some FGLI kids as well as scholar match). Will look into other suggestions now - thank you!!

For the PP, who doubted me - how weird?
I have two kids (my own) who I've helped get into multiple T20. Through a local org supporting low-income kids (similar to B&G club), I've read drafts and completed apps for several (yes, plural) kids.

And then, yes, if you are our age, you have a LOT of friends and family who come to you once they see the success your kid has had in the process (read this, help review draft app, revise EC list, suggest summer activities to support major, develop a "theme").

My own kids actually didn't have perfect stats or profiles AT ALL - and one actually had some "flaws". I'm not even advertising here - why the HATE or disbelief? My own kids didn't have the perfect stats for HYPSM, but other friends & relatives did (and were eventually successful). Why is that hard to believe?

Anyway, to the actual helpful responders, thank you. I'll explore opportunities for application reading this summer, along with perhaps trying to get some experience with a more legit private counseling firm.

You do? Honestly and with all due respect I have never seen this happen with anyone in our large family and friend group ever. Lots of parents have kids who are admitted to top colleges who are not inundated like you say you have been. It’s just not typical. If it’s happening the way you describe, it’s because you were taking the lead other parents - not the other way around.

I literally know of no one who has ever gotten involved with any of their kids’ friends’ parents over the details of their college applications the way that you have described. Not once.

That's because you don't know people like OP - who literally micromanage every detail of their kids' college applications and talk incessantly about it to others. I have one kid in college and one applying next year, and I will occasionally run across a parent like OP. Last time, it was over drinks with a mom I've known casually for years, but it was the first time I'd seen her since her kid got into college. She not only told me about his application process in excruciating detail, she read me parts of his personal statement from her phone. She was clearly extremely proud of herself for writing it (or, to give her the benefit of the doubt, rewriting it). Since then, she has offered multiple times to help with my younger child's process because she thinks he will "need help" beyond what our high school counseling office can offer. I have started to avoid her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many moms think just because they assisted their kids and family members they are qualified to be a college counselor. But it’s highly unlikely you can replicate your results next year because you’ve never worked in an admission office so do not actually know why your students were admitted. OP start volunteering with college match or similar group before trying to become the next Nina Marks.

NP. I disagree. I did the research and helped my kid get into schools that are unheard of for our local public. I volunteered for the heck of it and helped kids get into HYPSM and many prestigious SLACs. You know what I learned? Most kids write shitty essays that seem to be what gets them rejected. I don’t think a good essay can get you in, but an essay that is acceptable will at least not put you in the reject pile. So if you have the stats, you can get in by having an adult who understands what colleges are looking for review your essays and other application components. I am in the UCLA program and having fun. OP - sign up! You might love it.

How much does the ucla program cost?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Joe’s hiring readers: https://www.higheredjobs.com/admin/details.cfm?JobCode=179152543&Title=Application%20Reader%2C%20Enrollment%20Operations

Requires at least a previous year of reading apps. OP is out.

OP could email their dean and explain her situation, they could be able to substitute prior experience.

Not really

It literally says: In lieu of previous reading experience, prior experience as a school based counselor or independent consultant/counselor can be substituted.

Sheesh, have none of you ever heard that thing about how women don't apply for jobs or promotions unless they are 100% qualified, while men will apply for practically anything?

I don't think OP is crazy for wanting to do this!

Anonymous wrote:sounds great!

I would chart out a three year plan:
year one - get a job as a reader, any college
year one - volunteer as a college counselor for under resourced kids. there are several national orgs, maybe some local two

year two - get a job as a reader, but try for prestige this time
year two - continue working with kids as a volunteer

year three - same and same and post on Facebook. try to get 3-4 private clients at low-ish rates.

then it's off to the races. I'd try to add 5 kids a year, increasing rates til you get to market rate

I think this is good advice!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Joe’s hiring readers: https://www.higheredjobs.com/admin/details.cfm?JobCode=179152543&Title=Application%20Reader%2C%20Enrollment%20Operations

Requires at least a previous year of reading apps. OP is out.

OP could email their dean and explain her situation, they could be able to substitute prior experience.

Not really

St. Joe’s is private, they can do whatever they want. Why don’t you go ahead and stop talking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being a part time reader isn’t going to teach someone how to help a student with the college search. It isn’t even going to give you much insight unto how that college makes decisions. They’re very low-level workers who aren’t involved in committee decisions. No education about scholarships or financial aid, either.

Knowing how St. Joe’s processes a new application isn’t going to help the kid who is just getting started and needs help building a list.

No question…but how do you think so many people at so many advising companies says “former AO of fill in the blank/Stanford?”

Which is why you need to do research about hiring someone. Being a reader doesn't impart the knowledge that a good counselor would have.