5 Smart & Fiscal Reasons to Hire an Independent College Consultant

As more colleges make the shift from “highly selective” to “highly rejective” and the cost of college continues to rise, it is more important than ever that students and families fully understand how to approach the complex college admissions process. 

5 Reasons Hiring an Independent College Consultant is Smart and Can Save You Money

ONE: College is expensive.

When investing anywhere from $100,000 to $275,000+, leaving things to chance is not recommended. Hiring a professional can save money by helping students understand college costs and ensuring they start college with a sense of direction: confident they will graduate in 4 years.

Waiting until after college admission or wasting a semester/year figuring out if the right choice was made are costly mistakes.

TWO: Nobody is an expert in everything.

Professional College Counselors have the theoretical, practical, and existential experience necessary to guide students and families through a strategic and successful college application process.

Don’t mistake personal experience with being qualified. I have been to the dentist at least 100 times: I do not offer dental advice.

THREE: High school guidance counselors are stretched thin.

High school counselors juggle many responsibilities from crisis management to AP testing to college admissions work. Since the average student-to-school-counselor ratio is 482-to-1—or about DOUBLE the ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association—it is not realistic to expect high school counselors to give all students the hours of attention they need during the college applications process.

Don’t wait until the weeks, days before applications deadlines to understand your needs and the resources available to meet them.

FOUR: Independent College Consultants are bound by a Code of Ethics.

Notwithstanding the recent Varsity Blues scandal, most Professional College Counselors are honest and adhere to the guidelines outlined by the organizations to which they belong.

Avoid people who guarantee admission to prestigious colleges, offer to write essays, or lack integrity.

FIVE: Self-help books don’t work.

People may read self-help books, but typically they lack the discipline to follow through.

4 Questions to Ask Prior to Engaging an Independent Counselor

ONE: What professional organizations do you belong to?

Since certification is optional and the industry is not yet well regulated in most states, select an Independent College Counselor who meets the standards required to join and maintain membership in organizations such as HECA or IECA and is a Certified College Counselor and/or a  Certified Educational Planner. Professionals who have neither the professional associations and credentials nor the desire to learn should be avoided.

TWO: What is your process?

Make sure you feel confident that the process is a good fit for your student and that all tasks will be completed in a quality and timely manner.

THREE: What do you do to help reduce stress and anxiety?

Applying to college is complex and often emotional: stress will inevitably arise. Ask about specific strategies and processes in place to facilitate a smooth application process.

FOUR: How do you determine what “good-fit” means?

Look for an emphasis on individual student qualities and interests instead of prestige.

Final Factors to Consider when Selecting an Independent College Counselor

• Personality: Is there chemistry? Is this a person you feel comfortable with?
• Cost: Understand pricing and what you get (i.e., comprehensive packages versus hourly)
• Expertise: Education, certifications, professional affiliations, and experience are indicators of expertise.
• Transparency: Have confidence that you will hear what you need to hear not only what you want to hear

For more information on how and why to invest in a Professional College Admissions Counselor and why my clients choose me, feel free to reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com