It’s the parents, not the students who will be doing the hiring. Most families should seek out third party experts for a “free” consultation well in advance of the senior year to know what the process is all about and if their family could benefit – and not just financially. What’s the value of getting an edge in admissions & being accepted to the college of your choice?
While many people have now heard terms such as “independent college counselor” or “educational consultant”, many remain unclear as to what services these individuals provide, and therefore cannot decide whether or not such a person can help, or even what kinds of students should consider seeking such services. To explain: an independent counselor or consultant is just that. They do not work for a school or college. A competent consultant knows about college admissions based upon their educational and/or work background, and thereby can provide information about colleges to students who need advice and/or input from someone other than their parents or their friends. They can also help students whose school counselors are working with many other students and/or can provide additional information and research to help students find the “right fit” for them. Students who are interested in “thinking outside the box” (I want to attend a small college with a self-design major in an urban setting), who need more direction for specific areas of interest (DI or DIII sports or transportation majors), or who have learning issues (I did not take a foreign language because of my dyslexia) can benefit greatly from the services of an independent consultant. Others who can benefit from these services include those who have difficulty coming up with ideas for their essay, those who need help staying on target to complete their applications, or those who need someone to help their parents understand the current marketplace. If you do decide to hire an independent consultant, make sure you work with someone who understands your needs, who travels to colleges and can make appropriate recommendations, and who does not “do the work for you”–after all, it is called a “personal essay” for a reason!
Students who need extra help with the admission process, students who want one on one attention, students who have a school counselor with a high caseload who may not have time to help them navigate the process, or students who are the first to go to college (not including your parents- the process has changed quite a bit in 20 years).
All students benefit from the opportunity to seek a well-matched college setting through one-on-one conversations with an experienced admissions professional. However, certain types of students are particularly well-suited for outside support.
An independent college counselor can be valuable to any student, whether he or she is shooting for the Ivy League, a state college or university, or a unique liberal arts or art school. A good counselor helps students build a broad, balanced list of colleges where they will thrive and assesses their chances of acceptance at each; their goal is to help clients get into the schools that are the best matches for their goals and needs. She or her will also provide expert guidance in crafting an exceptional essay and application that truly reflects the student’s “best self”, academically and personally. Counselors help students find their stories and tell them in compelling ways, and often uncover unique strengths and characteristics the student didn’t even know he or she had. Of course, counselors are also indispensable for addressing the many complexities and confusions that arise during the admissions process, and may help families maintain an even keel during the often stressful time by serving as an “intermediary” between parents and kids (who wants to spend senior year nagging and fighting over college applications?).
Those who do not feel they are getting sufficient access to the guidance counselor at their school may want to consider an outside counselor. That being said, anyone considering an independent counselor should recognize that colleges generally will not communicate with them and do not consider any recommendations they may offer. However, the large number of students for which a school counselor may be responsible can often be problematic and as a result a student may not get the help and attention they need. Consequently, if a student is looking for someone to help them develop or winnow a college list, go over some essays, or help them identify the best way to proceed, an independent counselor can be of help.
– Most American high schools have guidance counselors, but this is not always the best option. If you are interested in going to a non American school then an independent counselor would probably know more than a regular high school one. Vice versa, an international student wishing to come to American colleges should hire one, as they will know more about the application process than a local counselor who doesn’t deal with students who want to leave the country as much. – If you have special needs in any way that would make your college experience different from anyone else’s, be it physical, mental, religious, dietary, etc, an independent counselor can better help you research which school would be right for you than a high school counselor with several charges and who may not know what schools have the most Halal options for muslim students.
Here is my video response to the question.
A top college consultant will visit between 25- 30 campuses each year and attend yearly educational conferences. They are attuned to changes in the field and can provide a “reality” check when it comes to creating college lists. Their focus is not on your getting accepted to the most selective schools, but to the one that offers the “best fit” for you where you will be more likely to thrive and be successful. A consultant works both with “ivy-bound” students as well as those that be academically challenged. They can ensure that no deadlines would be missed and all testing would be completed in a timely fashion. They can offer you an objective read on your applications essays and can serve, when necessary, as a buffer between you and your parents. To ensure that you would be working with a competent and ethical college consultant- check if they are members of IECA, HECA or NACAC.
the ability of working with the independent college counselor is one of the greatest challenges for Chinese students. for me personally, I have two completed different experiences in working with American born students and Chinese born students.
I must laugh out loud at this question because to me, as an independent educational consultant, the answer is clear: any student that wishes to establish the proper college match should engage the services of an educational consultant. Recent published data revealed that just under half of students at America’s top liberal arts colleges worked with a consultant! But not just any charlatan claiming to be a college “coach”. I recommend using IECAonline.com to search for consultants who have been vetted, educated, trained, and who must abide by principles of ethical practice. IECA has been called the “gold standard” for educational consultants. Also, visit aicep.org for approximately 200 consultants worldwide that have earned the distinction of Certified Educational Planner having passed an extensive approximately 4-6 hour exam (I know, I took it and passed!) to demonstrate professional knowledge and commitment to continuing education.
The college selection and admission process is vastly different now from what it was when your parents were students. The good news is that our children have incredible opportunities and choices, but the process has become complicated and competitive. Most students and families can benefit from the assistance of an experienced consultant who can clarify their options and provide insight into the right college for the student. Many students need more individualized attention than their high school counselor can give them. The college search, selection, and application process requires organization and a sound strategy, and a consultant can help the student “own” the process.
Many students should consider getting information and advice from an IEC. College is a major life event and investment, and the college selection and admission process has become increasingly complicated. While most institutional counselors are competent, they may not have the time, resources, or expertise that an IEC has to offer his or her students.
Independent consultants can take a lot of stress out of the application process. These professionals not only tour campuses on a regular basis, they can dedicate their time to just your college search. Hiring a counselor may help you recoup the cost in the long run, as they can help determine “fit” and suggest schools you may never have considered. An IEC has an arsenal of resources at their disposal, time tested strategies for negotiating the search process, and they love working with teens. When you consider the cost of higher education, this is a small price to pay to “get it right”.
Sponsored Meaning Explained
EducationDynamics receives compensation for the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored Ad” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results”). So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school. Your trust is our priority. We at EducationDynamics believe you should make decisions about your education with confidence. that’s why EducationDynamicsis also proud to offer free information on its websites, which has been used by millions of prospective students to explore their education goals and interests. close