I’ve known a couple of couple of students who’ve used consultants. And just out of sheer curiousity, are they worth it?
<p>They do have connections and will get you into one of your reaches, but with them costing around $25k, that's just haneous.</p>
<p>where can you find a good one?</p>
<p>Of course they are worth it in that they can produce a good result. Are they worth $25,000......that would be relative to net worth or other ability to pay. There are consultants who charge much less than this and one can purchase "parts" of the service.....ie essay review only or interview only help. There would not be such a large market without results....just like anything else.</p>
<p>They aren't $25,000. My friend is with a college admissions firm and is only paying about $2,000 for three applications. I mean of course there are a couple outrageous consulting firms out there that charge about 40,000 - but not many. </p>
<p>My friend was telling me about how she had found a college consultant and what not. And my question is more concerned with local consultants. Cause she told me you can go to: <a href="http://iecaonline.com/%5B/url%5D">http://iecaonline.com/</a> - a national college consulting organization and they can give you a list of people who does consulting in your area. But I mean, I heard some of these people have never been on any board of admissions. But does that really matter?</p>
<p>I can tell you right now that this website, combined with one or two college guidebooks, is just as good as any college consultant, and it's about $20,000 cheaper.</p>
<p>Of course this website is good but it takes time and desire to learn the game. Some parents have no time, don't want to learn the game and thus buy the service....it is not uncommon. With two working parents, busy and cannot spend the time.....there 'ya go.</p>
<p>Wait, do they really have connections? I have this one friend, he has a 3.0, no APs, easiest math/science lanes, crap EC's, and he got a counselor who told him he is fine at Berkeley - LMAO. I dunno, but I don't think his counselor is too good.</p>
<p>That's the thing. How do you pick among all those counselors and consultants who all say - I'm the best, you can't get better than me.</p>
<p>The friend I have whose just paid for her consulting is given two choices. One is a lady who used to be on the admissions board for Barnard and recruited for NYU - and a guy who was on the admissions for Vanderbilt, Radford, and I think Kenya (?). I mean, evidently because of their background you know they've had experience. Which one would you say is better though?</p>
<p>This is a stats game.......these folks come with a score card....recommendations and personal references whom you may contact. This is not buying a pig in a poke.</p>
<p>College consultants don't really have connections... they just want you to think that. If they write special notes to the admissions office, these notes are usually just torn up, and with good reason; essentially, they are being paid to write good things about you and the adcoms know this and disregard it. The most help they can offer you is to help you get started on your essays (it's easier to buy a book about essays at your local bookstore), help you arrange your app (check out the CC forums for advice about apps), edit your essays (just ask your parents or english teacher instead), and tell you what is a match, reach, or safety (if you really can't figure this one out for yourself, ask your guidance counselor at school FOR FREE). So I guess what i'm trying to say is (and keep in mind, this is just my opinion) that college consultants are money-loving fake-professionals capitalizing on a social paranoia for profit. You have a ton of resources around you that are probably much more helpful.</p>
<p>Hey....before you trash someone's profession remember that some folks use Daycare and some folks hire live-in nannies. Some folks use HMOs and other have a wing at the Mayo Clinic.....it is all relative. Most folks who pay for a consultant know what they are buying.</p>
<p>So how much would a well known and renowned counselor like Michele Hernandez cost for an incoming Junior? 10K? 20? 30? Just hypothetically, I wouldn't ever pay for one (unless they were less than $500 lol, then I'd consider it)</p>
<p>You're right, hazmat... i was a little harsh. College consultants might be a good option for some people, while for others it's a waste of time. I guess that the college admissions process is becoming more like choosing a college itself... it's all about finding that right fit. ;)</p>
<p>Your right it is all about the best fit. Some highly successful folks have kids who are not highly motivated and they need to find a place for that kid.....somewhere to get away from the expectations.....a place to grow in personal ways as well as intellectual ways. Just remember that not all students will need to find a job upon graduation. They need a diploma, maturing and then they take a seat on the board......it is that simple.</p>
<p>Wait but say you were hiring a consultant.. what would you pick between these two: One is a lady who used to be on the admissions board for Barnard and recruited for NYU - and a guy who was on the admissions for Vanderbilt, Radford, and I think Kenya (?). I mean, evidently because of their background you know they've had experience.</p>
<p>Adcom and recruiter......experience evaluating applicants or seeking applicants. I know these folks have some experience but to hire them with this little amount of info?? NO I would need info about number of applicants they have prepared and the quality of the applicants. How many applications did each applicant submit and what % yielded a positive result. A reference to contact....give me some names of parent/student. I would seek more info prior to making a contract with either one.</p>
<p>BTW I think the school your are referring to as Kenya is Kenyon.</p>
<p>haha. That's what I thought.. I was like yeah definitely have never heard of a college known as Kenya. It's not exactly me hiring but rather my friend and she doesn't know who to pick. Cause she's actually going through a firm that has a pretty high success rate. She's relying on the firm's reputation, I believe.</p>
<p>Your friend should speak or meet with both consultants because she may prefer one personality over the other. Some helping you with personal essays and telling you about schools....it helps to have a nice connection demeanor wise.</p>
<p>Well supposedly she pays for one hour to see if the consultant is up to par with what she wants and then so on so forth. She was telling me about all the perks she'd recieve and I have to say - I'm interested in finding myself a college consultant. It's not that the money is an issue - it's more of whether or not the consultant is good enough. Because she was telling me about her search for consultants and how she ended up calling people who had degrees in consulting but has never sat on an admissions board.</p>