Anonymous
02/20/2026 10:51
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
I agree with those who said word of mouth should help a lot. I have thought about doing this, too, but I interview for my alumni association and you can't do that if you are a college counselor. It sounds weird, but I really like meeting those applicant kids and it also helps keep me current on the landscape. (I also have a job lol) So I help friends and family with apps for free. People ask me all. the. time. for help. As soon as they know I do it. I imagine if I created a website or social media presence, went to PTA meetings, etc. I would be off to the races with some clients. Building a functional business would just depend on my willingness to hustle. Best of luck to you, if you decide to pursue this!
Anonymous
02/20/2026 10:46
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Please don’t bother with getting some pay to play junk certificate from UCLA, lol.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 10:43
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.
5-25k is nothing when you are targeting people who spend 250k on high school, 250k on college and 250k on professional school.
Exactly. I spent $25k in a week just randomly on an impromptu five night trip. The demographic for this kind of thing is very different than the people who sit on this site day and and day out.
Even if you’re not super rich, if you are the type who spent thousands on prepping your kid to take the test to get into a selective high school, spent thousands on SAT prep and cram schools, etc., it makes sense to spend another few thousand making sure essays and applications look good.
I’m sure I’m going to get flamed for this, but here goes:
If your child needs all that support (essay writers, test prep, people to apply for them), SHOULD they be going to these colleges?
That’s your judgment and it makes zero difference bc that’s not the way the US system works. Makes no difference other than to the busy bodies here (too poor to hire someone anyway).
Anonymous
02/20/2026 10:38
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.
5-25k is nothing when you are targeting people who spend 250k on high school, 250k on college and 250k on professional school.
Exactly. I spent $25k in a week just randomly on an impromptu five night trip. The demographic for this kind of thing is very different than the people who sit on this site day and and day out.
Even if you’re not super rich, if you are the type who spent thousands on prepping your kid to take the test to get into a selective high school, spent thousands on SAT prep and cram schools, etc., it makes sense to spend another few thousand making sure essays and applications look good.
I’m sure I’m going to get flamed for this, but here goes:
If your child needs all that support (essay writers, test prep, people to apply for them), SHOULD they be going to these colleges?
Even if they don’t, if that money isn’t that much for you, why not have the essay double checked and tweaked slightly to maximize your chances? Why not raise an already great SAT by a little bit? If the money isn’t that much for you, why not try to improve things a little, even for a great candidate?
Anonymous
02/20/2026 10:31
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.
5-25k is nothing when you are targeting people who spend 250k on high school, 250k on college and 250k on professional school.
Exactly. I spent $25k in a week just randomly on an impromptu five night trip. The demographic for this kind of thing is very different than the people who sit on this site day and and day out.
Even if you’re not super rich, if you are the type who spent thousands on prepping your kid to take the test to get into a selective high school, spent thousands on SAT prep and cram schools, etc., it makes sense to spend another few thousand making sure essays and applications look good.
I’m sure I’m going to get flamed for this, but here goes:
If your child needs all that support (essay writers, test prep, people to apply for them), SHOULD they be going to these colleges?
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:48
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.
You are not really the demographic. 5-25 thousand is a lot of money for you and you probably are good with the English language. Now imagine you are a someone for whom that amount of money is nothing and you don’t enjoy writing and/or English isn’t your first language.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:43
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.
5-25k is nothing when you are targeting people who spend 250k on high school, 250k on college and 250k on professional school.
Exactly. I spent $25k in a week just randomly on an impromptu five night trip. The demographic for this kind of thing is very different than the people who sit on this site day and and day out.
Even if you’re not super rich, if you are the type who spent thousands on prepping your kid to take the test to get into a selective high school, spent thousands on SAT prep and cram schools, etc., it makes sense to spend another few thousand making sure essays and applications look good.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:42
Subject: Re:Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:[img]Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Every parent I know goes through this and thinks they will be a great counselor.
It’s the new mom MLM.
I helped my unhooked kids senior year with apps and essays and they did really, really well. Both are at Ivies (RD admissions).
But, I knew both of my kids inside and out which is what helped them with topics and authenticity. I cannot imagine doing this with strangers. My kids also had all of the pieces and are motivated. Imagine working with kids who don’t really want to be there and their parents hired you.
Frankly, AI will put you out of a job.
It reminds me of how people think they want to be wedding planners after planning their own wedding. It’s not quite as fun when you have to deal with crazy, demanding people with unrealistic expectations.
I don’t live in the DC area and it’s not quite as big a phenomenon where I am, but the people who have used the one main person in my area who does this have had really middling results. I truly don’t understand what they paid for.
It’s even bigger in the NYC area where op says she is targeting due to family connections. Also huge among international students.
I am in a different metro area and have business falling into my lap. I’m the one who posted earlier: it’s word-of-mouth only.
I have a similar professional pedigree and 20 year career with two private top 10 schools on my résumé (as the examples previously quoted). I have experience with two different pro bono organizations in this space and have been an admissions reader for a T5 law school. My own kids go to Ivies.
The good people do not need to advertise - ever.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:39
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.
A lot of the parents who are super involved ALSO have counselors if they can afford it.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:39
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.
5-25k is nothing when you are targeting people who spend 250k on high school, 250k on college and 250k on professional school.
Exactly. I spent $25k in a week just randomly on an impromptu five night trip. The demographic for this kind of thing is very different than the people who sit on this site day and and day out.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:37
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.
5-25k is nothing when you are targeting people who spend 250k on high school, 250k on college and 250k on professional school.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:36
Subject: Re:Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
[img]
It’s even bigger in the NYC area where op says she is targeting due to family connections. Also huge among international students.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Every parent I know goes through this and thinks they will be a great counselor.
It’s the new mom MLM.
I helped my unhooked kids senior year with apps and essays and they did really, really well. Both are at Ivies (RD admissions).
But, I knew both of my kids inside and out which is what helped them with topics and authenticity. I cannot imagine doing this with strangers. My kids also had all of the pieces and are motivated. Imagine working with kids who don’t really want to be there and their parents hired you.
Frankly, AI will put you out of a job.
It reminds me of how people think they want to be wedding planners after planning their own wedding. It’s not quite as fun when you have to deal with crazy, demanding people with unrealistic expectations.
I don’t live in the DC area and it’s not quite as big a phenomenon where I am, but the people who have used the one main person in my area who does this have had really middling results. I truly don’t understand what they paid for.
It’s even bigger in the NYC area where op says she is targeting due to family connections. Also huge among international students.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:35
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.
Why didn’t you leave a long time ago.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:34
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
[img]
This. If you have access to certain circles and went to good schools, that is part of it. Also, there are wealthy people who would rather pay for someone who has your friend’s credentials than someone who went to lower-ranked schools and has a c certificate from UCLA anyone can get.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Word of mouth in the right circles. The best individual counselors get booked quietly via word of mouth in my town.
Don't bother with the certificates.
This is an industry like selling real estate or being a headhunter--connections matter a lot and there are no barriers to entry if you are a fast learner, and know enough and they feel comfortable with you. People don't want to hear that, but it's true.
+1
I have three friends who are graduates of various HYPS universities (for both undergrad and grad). To spend more time with their kids, they took the off ramp of their demanding careers (doctor, lawyer and McKinsey consultant) and built lucrative practices on admissions counseling. The doctor has a focus on helping students with admissions to medical school. Lawyer and former McKinsey consultant have a broader focus, both deal a lot with international students who are willing to pay for guidance. People see their resumes and assume they're good (and they are.)
One of my friends takes on just 20 students at a time (starting grade 10, til admissions season is over in grade 12), and seems to have no problem paying for her household.
This. If you have access to certain circles and went to good schools, that is part of it. Also, there are wealthy people who would rather pay for someone who has your friend’s credentials than someone who went to lower-ranked schools and has a c certificate from UCLA anyone can get.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:34
Subject: Becoming a Private College Admissions Counselor?
Anonymous wrote:Counselors are for people who don’t want to help their kids (like we all did). You guys are so dense. Most people I know don’t research or spend time here.
There are so many of them and spending $5-10-15-25k is not a big deal. Your demographic is not the target.
I guess you’re correct. I just can’t imagine spending $5-25K on something we can do ourselves, especially something as important and personal as college admissions. Of all things, that doesn’t feel like it should be outsourced.
So I’m definitely not the demographic. Leaving this thread.