<p>Frankly, I imagine that the services of such a consulting company cost a small fraction of a year at any US college. I’ve looked at the pricing of a couple of these places. It can range from a few hundred bucks into the thousands, but even at five grand, if it got your kid into a school with big financial aid dollars, it’d be well worth it.</p>
<p>The real question is, just how much value to these folks add? My own suspicion is: not much. But I know that I’m coming from a particular perspective, with a bias - my two kids both managed to get into good schools without any consulting, and, in fact, with less than stellar guidance from their guidance counselor. </p>
<p>My advice to OP is to hone the ‘critical thinking’ skills mentioned here, in general. And, for first-level college info and tips, read what the colleges themselves say. Nothing replaces that. You have the advantage that more colleges than ever before are putting forth info about what they value and how they evaluate. </p>
<p>Our standard advice to hs freshmen is to read and read again, then come back in two years when you have started to amass a record. You can also learn by lurking (not what other hs kids say, but seasoned adults.) </p>
<p>You’re probably right. I guess my own reaction was along the lines of, “Why in the world would anyone do that, and why would anyone think anyone would care??” I found the question stunning.</p>
<p>But I need to remember - I’m an old guy. And I’ve done this before. There’s a reason why the expression is “young AND foolish,” and I should remember that I was foolish, too, once upon a time (and probably still am to a greater degree than might be desired).</p>
<p>My apologies to you, @akova1, for a less-than-hospitable welcome to CC. But it really is a very silly idea, when you think about it. ;-)</p>
<p>@sherpa: I agree with you. I PMd the OP yesterday to apologize and he/she accepted my apology. I definitely wanted to jab – but believe I crossed a line into insult.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your understanding. This thread and question, I agree, is quite silly, but as @sherpa said, I was given wrong information by a friend. As to @gibby, I can’t help but feel he/she is supercilious because he/she’s children got into and are going to elite universities. @Gibby, College Confidential is not a place to bully and make others feel inferior -especially a fourteen year old. It is about sharing experience and helping others achieve their goals. Please don’t knock others back because their ambitions - in your opinion - are for to great to ever truly eventuate. Congrats on your kids prestige acceptances, but, try to remain modest, or the least bit humble. </p>
<p>Additionally @gibby, I just read your comment above about my “reputability”, as @sherpa said, if spending 5k will help me achieve Harvard, it would be worth it. And I NEVER said that I wanted to go to Harvard PURELY because of financial aid. I said no such thing. I merely said I NEEDED it. </p>
<p>Your attempt at making me feel inferior isn’t working. If anything it motivates me more - even despite the snobbish parents of these children whom attend such accredited schools.</p>
<p>@akova1: I was trying to correct misinformation you had about Harvard — specifically how difficult it is for international students, no matter what country they come from, and the value of recommendations and extracurricular activities in the applications process. Information that you could have gleaned by reading many of Harvard’s websites. If you felt I was bullying, I apologize. That was not my intent. Nor was it my intent to kill your dream. I was trying to give you a dose of reality, which I sorely thought you were missing.</p>
<p>No, I did not cut you slack because of your age, as I feel the age of an applicant is irrelevant. I personally know a 14 year student who was admitted to Harvard. For all I knew, you could have been just like him — mature and wise beyond his years.</p>
<p>My kids are at Harvard and Yale because of the massive amounts of financial aid those institutions are providing — and I’ve been very vocal about saying that. It’s actually cheaper for my family to send them to HY than to our flagship state school. There is no shame in saying you need financial aid, or require it, so I’m not sure why my financial aid comments made you so incensed.</p>
<p>I’m on College Confidential because I was able to successfully guide my two kids — who are just normal, average kids with great transcripts and no hooks — through the applications process. Many other folks have found my comments to be helpful and instructive. I’m sorry you have not also found them to be that way. </p>
<p>I wish you nothing but the best during your high school years and may you have much success in your college applications.</p>