<p>I don't know if you are asking me or Northstarmom. I don't agree with Northstarmom that hiring a college counselor is a waste. Some have no need for one and manage GREAT on their own. For many, that's all that is needed. For others, for one reason or another, they need support and guidance through this process. Some, like yourself, may have special issues. Others may have parents who do not help. There are many reasons why some look to outside help to facilitiate the quagmire of college admissions. </p>
<p>-You asked if I could recommend some college counselors...."national", etc. ....I originally responded to your post to just help you with your quandry and give some advice since I am a college counselor and know how it works with some counselors and gave my perspective. I was and still am not responding to you to promote certain services. Since you ASKED, I don't wish to ignore your question. If you want assistance, I am a college counselor at College Confidential. We offer hourly counseling and also counseling packages that are unlimited help with every step of the college search and admissions process. You can read more about the services that CC provides here: <a href="http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_counseling/index.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_counseling/index.htm</a> If you wish to ask me more about it, feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:susant@collegeconfidential.com">susant@collegeconfidential.com</a>. As always, asking about counseling doesn't cost any money. There are other counselors out there. When I was refering to online counseling, it is something I do, as do other counselors at CC, that's all. Research other counselors, of course. </p>
<p>-About talking to her about making you pay....well, clearly she called you, from returning a call you made to inquire about her services. You could say that you were unaware of any fees to merely discuss college counseling with her which you wanted to do in order to decide if you wanted to sign up. You do not wish to pay for that fee. You could even point out that she said you only have to pay that first $60 if you sign up for further counseling and would not have to pay if not signing on as a client. So, that implies that an initial inquiry about services is not for a fee in some cases. </p>
<p>However, you should say that you would like to contract for whatever services you pick and surely will pay for them by whatever method or arrangement she requires. But her call to you was never anything you were aware you were paying for. If she doesn't agree, perhaps you should be more picky as to whom you work with and choose not to sign up. Surely your parents (who I assume are paying for this?) should talk to her and agree or disagree as to what will be the services contracted for. Her call to you was not anything you contracted for. I can't imagine charging someone for the initial inquiry. </p>
<p>I would NOT suggest to her that she speak any faster. I think the initial inquiry/call was a chance for YOU to decide if this is someone you wish to work with or not. It should not have cost money. And in fact, there are some things, such as how she talks, given that you are doing an Hourly arrangement, that doesn't work well for you. Perhaps you should pick someone else. I am not suggesting me, but my advice was genuine to you and never meant to get into my services at CC. The services at CC are online and so the speed of our speech, doesn't come up. We are speedy in that we reply to all emails with a 24 hour turn around time. How fast we type or not, you'll never know, lol. </p>
<p>I think you ought to discuss this all with your parents. When lining up a service that is not a cheap thing, you should research all possibilities and make a decision to work with someone with whom you feel comfortable. Already you have some issues with this person over the fees....for what she did...wasn't up front, and she wasn't so helpful and since she is charging by the hour, you did not get enough out of the hour. With email correspondence, you have equal time. Counseling should be about YOU. In the initial phases, more should be coming from you, than the counselor because the counselor is trying to learn all about you. For instance, I have several new clients at the moment and they are completing extensive questionnaires about every aspect of their background, needs, interests, college preferences, etc. and I gather lots and lots of stuff about them and then prepare a report for them. After that, it is ongoing back and forth communication at whatever time of day works for the student and no appointments need to be lined up. Anyway, if you have some issues that need addressing in the college process, look into someone to help you with that and make sure that who you find is someone whose style works for you. You don't have to work with anyone just because someone else liked them, if that person doesn't click for you or if you don't like their business practices, etc. See what your parents say too, about this matter. If you do work with this counselor, I think your parents should negotiate for the fees and contract for services, then turn over the actual college counseling to you.</p>