Why Hire A College Counselor (Advisor)
Occasionally, we all need an advisor or coach to help us navigate the unknown. For parents of high school students, deciding what to do after high school can be daunting. That is where a college counselor can help. A good counselor is unbiased and nonjudgmental and is working for the sole purpose of helping a student succeed. A counselor (advisor) should be trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of planning and funding college and keen to be able to help students and families find the four rights to life after high school: the right education pathway, for the right reason, and at the right school for an affordable investment. (The four rights i follow in my private practice)
Parents and students should begin working with a counselor around October of the junior year, when their student takes the PSATs, earlier if possible. A counselor should provide insights and direction on how to pay for college, where to consider going, and how to apply. They’re there to answer questions, share insights, identify deadlines, and help manage connecting the dots between admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and student recruitment.
As my youngest son reminds me, hundreds of students and families navigate the process and successfully enroll in college every year. Yes, that is true, but for the select few who find themselves overwhelmed, paralyzed, and fearful of failing, a college counselor (advisor) can be the key to their sanity and students’ success.
Finding the right fit is based on working with a student and their family to align them with colleges and universities where they can continue to grow academically, feel personally safe, have a chance to have a strong, supportive social network, and where the cost of enrolling is affordable. Finding the right fit is a personal, individual process that takes time and discovery and can benefit from having a college counselor or an advisor helping to guide the way.
Here are a few other reasons:
- Personalized Guidance
- Through regular meetings, we help students identify schools that are the best fit academically, socially, and financially.
- We provide insights on raising the bar to show interest through email campaigns, 1-1 meetings, and keeping the school aware of a student’s strengths, interests, and goals.
- Help to identify different paths after high school and navigate the conversation at home.
- Application Strategy & Organization
- Advisors help manage deadlines, essays, recommendation letters, and standardized testing schedules.
- They create a structured timeline to reduce stress and last-minute scrambling.
- Essay Coaching & Editing
- Many advisors assist students in crafting compelling college essays that stand out.
- They provide feedback to ensure authenticity while meeting the expectations of admissions officers.
- Financial Aid & Scholarships
- A good advisor helps families navigate financial aid forms like the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
- We provide endless training on how to hunt for scholarships, including starting early and never stopping.
- Reducing Stress & Family Conflicts
- Involving a third party can ease tensions between parents and students and ensure open communication and shared goals.
- Were neutral, unbiased, and nonjudgmental with the student and their family’s objective always in mind.
- We Focus on the Probability of Acceptance
- At the right college that falls under three categories, unlikely >30%, but let’s apply; targeted <50% and Likely >75%.
- Advisors provide insights into what colleges are looking for in prospective students.
- We assist with interview preparation, extracurricular planning, and strong application positioning.
- Knowledge of Changing Admissions Trends
- The college admissions landscape changes frequently (test-optional policies, holistic admissions, financial aid, government intervention, college and university business decisions), etc.
- As an advisor, I stay current on these trends and help families adjust their strategies accordingly.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, paralyzed, and fearful of failing your student, give a call or text – 617-240-7350, Every good ending starts with a good conversation!!