<p>I made an appointment with a counselor at the CC I go to because I had a few questions. The whole time she kept telling me what courses I could take to get their associate’s degree in science, and how all these courses would transfer to Eastern Michigan. After that I got told that I must never leave my house and all I do is study, as well as that I apparently have no work ethic. Sounds contradictory. </p>
<p>Then, our conversation went a little something like this:
Me: I’m planning on working on college applications this summer. Do you have any recommendations as to where I should look? I’m interested in science and math, probably out of state.
Her: Uhh…MIT? <em>laughs for about 5 minutes</em> I wouldn’t know. Look where the school is accredited.
Me: Okay…how about schools within the midwest?
Her: I wouldn’t know anything about those either.
Me: Alright, well, it seems like most people here stay in the state, what about things within the state I could apply to as safety or match schools?
Her: I haven’t really had a chance to look into our state schools, so you’ll just have to go to their website and see.</p>
<p>Oh wow, you must be so helpful to the other people at this two year school where the majority of people are planning on transferring out!</p>
<p>Aren’t there some colleges automatically give full rides to National Merit Finalists? If there are, my guidance counselor totally BSed me…again.</p>
<p>My counselor is not helpful at all, and I know it is not just me that feels that way; a lot of my friends strongly dislike her too. She’s not mean or anything, shes just very useless, doesnt know much about colleges and SATs. I try not to see her for advice because she only makes me angry after. I go to a medium/large school that sends many of its students to top schools like Berkeley, Stanford, etc, and whenever an article is written about that, they mention things like, “Thanks to the great staff, wonderful counselors” so on, it is definitely misrepresenting the school. It is most definitely the students that give our school our title and fame, NOT the staff.</p>
<p>Mine isn’t totally horrible, she, at least, isn’t disparaging or belittling (which I’m surprised to find that it happens with quite a bit of students on here), but definitely isn’t too helpful either.</p>
<p>Basically we meet our counselors once a year to choose our classes, the only reason she actually knows me is because I try to ask a couple questions that are actually relevant and etc, so I kinda stand out unintentionally I guess. So basically: the mediocre, average counselor that isn’t really encouraging or beneficial, but not horrible either.</p>
<p>Mine had to confirm which classes I’d passed. Since we switched to a new system, some of the grades got messed up. I told her about the mistake on my transcript regarding not counting Chinese I as a credit…and I don’t mean to sound arrogant or conceited, but as a straight A student…I couldn’t help but feel slightly offended when she asked if I was sure I didn’t fail Chinese I. >></p>
<p>She’s generally unhelpful though. I asked her once about scholarships. “Sorry, we only have them for seniors.” </p>
<p>My guidance counselor is quirky but nice and really likes me a lot. We do have a really weak graduating class and I think she only has a few of the top 10% (weird coincidence based on last names). She doesn’t do too much but there isn’t much for her to do except schedule classes and talk to me occasionally? I can’t complain!</p>
<p>My GC is pretty cool. She’s not as familiar with individual OOS schools since at least 90% of students go to college in-state, but she knows things like common app, deadlines, etc. I’ve researched on my own a little on how to get into top schools and shared what I’ve found out with her. She’s helpful about things like SAT, ACT, and college choices.</p>
<p>With scholarships, she’s great. She maintains a web site with over 50 scholarships that has already gotten me 10k and emails us a few times a week with upcoming deadlines. And she does everything so fast! My Common App SSR was submitted in two days, and my mid-year report was submitted the same day new rankings were calculated. (the last bit of info needed). Forms for things our school doesn’t normally get, like coca-cola & toyota semi, are filled out in 1-2 days and offered to be postmarked and mailed out for us.</p>
<p>I guess I’m lucky. And for our juniors, free SAT blue books are now available from her office…nice.</p>
<p>We have two GCs for our school (~400 students). The one is more of a “OMG THIS GIRL IS BEING MEAN 2 ME” GC while the other is a college oriented one. I think they are both incredibly helpful. When I was younger, the HS-drama one helped me through a lot, and now the college one is helping me. She always has a stock of scholarships, and, as I’m a junior, she tells me which ones I should specifically apply for next year. She always makes me feel good about myself regarding SAT and ACT scores, considering they’re substantially lower than my fellow CCers but higher than the rest of my class. </p>
<p>She even nominated me for an awards program… don’t know if I won yet, but I really appreciate her. Applying for scholarships and college will be a breeze with her help. :)</p>
<p>Oh, and we can walk in any time and see them. Don’t have to fill out a form or anything.</p>
Applying for scholarships and college will be a breeze with her help. :)</p>