College consulting firm?

Applying to College
1

<p>Im a first generation, college bound, class of 2015 student. I have pretty good grades, but should I seek out consulting services? I have almost no idea about the college process other than info online. </p>

<p>What should I do? Any advice is greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Rather than paying someone:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Stay away from Chances, they’re worthless.</p></li>
<li><p>Ask admissions questions on this forum, not HSL. </p></li>
<li><p>Talk to your HS GC.</p></li>
<li><p>Read books; use the Search function for ‘books’ on this forum, it’s a FAQ. Many books are available for free at your public library.</p></li>
<li><p>Here on CC, read more than ask. Start with the sticky threads, and keep an eye on threads that come up that look interesting. There’s not that much new under the sun, it’s all been asked before.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>Based on what you’ve said your HS offers, I would find it difficult to believe they are impotent at placing students in college. Have you started with them? Or others in your top level classes to ask for their tips? Don’t spend your parents’ money foolishly</p>

4

<p>Personally, I think it would be a good investment to pay a college consulting firm. I know two of my friends that pay experienced people to help them out, and they have amazing resumes. A college consultant managed to get one of my friends a research internship at USC. He cuts up monkey brains which sounds interesting. Another, helped one of my friends set up a non profit organization that helps children in Africa. I know that the college consultants help my friends do other amazing things that I just don’t know about, but I wish I could pay for one. If you have the money and know a reliable college consulting firm, I would say go for it.</p>

5

<p>No offense but your 2nd friend got bamboozled. Another “I set up a charity for Africa” thing? Really? Sorry but that’s not so unique… Frankly, it’s cliche</p>

6

<p>Many years ago, a boss of mine once said, “A consultant is really just a person who’ll borrow your watch to tell you the time, and then keep the watch as payment.” By which he meant that consultants are often people you pay to do things for you that you could do yourself.</p>

<p>I think that applies very much in the area of college-admissions consulting. By and large, what these people know isn’t wisdom that they’re born with or divinely revealed knowledge. It’s information that you could learn yourself with access to the internet, access to a library and enough determination. </p>

<p>And I don’t think that means these consultants are crooks, either. I have no objection to paying people to do things that you could do yourself; I pay a lawn service perfectly good American dollars to mow my grass because I would rather pay them than do it myself. But I do think your family should be aware of this fact before you part with a lot of dough.</p>

<p>I dug up a link to an old College Confidential thread in which a poster described the services his (really pretty wealthy) family bought from a college consultant. I’d never be willing to pay what they paid for the services they received, but who am I to judge? The family was happy, the kid was happy, and the consultant stayed off food stamps. I don’t see the harm, really. Take a look at this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1290349-my-experience-personal-college-consultant.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1290349-my-experience-personal-college-consultant.html&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>^Interesting that the student stated in the thread, which was posted in Feb of sr year:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>and</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Yet they also posted asking for essay help in Sept of sr year:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1210207-just-another-please-read-my-essay-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1210207-just-another-please-read-my-essay-thread.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And in Jan of sr year, they asked here on CC about whether or not to apply for FAFSA:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1275668-if-i-will-not-qualify-any-need-based-aid-should-i-still-fill-out-fafsa.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1275668-if-i-will-not-qualify-any-need-based-aid-should-i-still-fill-out-fafsa.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Yes, it’s every family’s choice. Yes, the kid and the family were happy. Maybe that’s why there’s the old saying, ‘ignorance is bliss’. :rolleyes:</p>

8

<p>If you are low-income (no idea if you are) you can apply for QuestBridge’s college prep scholar which can potentially result in you getting free counseling from somebody who has experience with low-income students and top schools.</p>

<p>If you are not it is up to you, I personally would not, but it is all about how much research/planning you can do yourself.</p>