Paid College advisors can be great and can provide structure and an objective eye. They are probably the most helpful to kids who are in the vast middle: not an under-represented minority, not a first generation student, not a recruited athlete and not a tip top applicant. Simply because for those kids admissions and money will be tricky and there are a ton of schools out there that can be hard to winnow down (admissibility, geography, money, programs) . However, a school counselor or a paid advisor cannot make you into something you are not and all the word-smithing in the world wont change where you sit as an applicant. The Common Data Sets published by schools, the internet, this Board should be able to give you an idea of where you stand as an applicant just to get started…
Please be careful with the advice you do take.
Your own college goals will differ from some family experiences on CC. Your targets may have different expectations. What worked for some may not work for your own interests, goals, strengths, and more. Make this your own personal search. The more you learn about your targets (including which are safeties, matches, or reaches,) the more informed you are. Dont assume, at this point. Cover your bases wisely. That means eyes wide open.
@milee30… Lol it’s the phone I swear 
https://www.grammar.com/grammer_vs._grammar
Ha… (laughing at myself).
I do not agree with post #20 above. An astute college consultant can affect one’s application results & can open up an applicant’s eyes to the best fits.
@Publisher apparently just for fun… because what i said was so different from what you said :-S ?
@Center: No, because I think that the right college counselor can make a significant difference. I do not think that applicants should be pigeonholed.
It is a similar process to a lawyer arguing a case. Different approaches can yield dramatically different results.
read College Confidential. that is how you make up for it.
Also google “Hacking the College Essay 2017” for hints on essay writing.
Also it depends on what types of colleges you are going for. For your instate Public U, you can just look at your scores/gpa and theirs and see if you match.
if you are trying for an ivy (and thave the scores and ECs to back that up), then advisors maybe more helpful.
I would never consider hiring a college coach. The vast majority of people do not. All it takes is reading to understand the process.
I think a lot also depends on your relationship with your kid. Sometimes a kid at this age is reluctant to trust that their parents know what they’re talking about on essay writing or test preparation. And sometimes a kid has criteria for a school that they’re reluctant to talk to their parents about. Having a neutral third party to talk to and hear about these things can be valuable