Is it better to enlist the services of college consultants?

“outcomes aren’t the only – or even the primary – goal of all counseling relationships. Having reassurance and confidence during the process, becoming a better writer, knowing that you sent out YOUR best application, etc., can have value before you even hear back from your schools.”

Exactly. We used a consultant because I wanted someone to guide my child (who at age 15 when she started junior year) was not ready to think about college. She was totally ready to go to college 2 years later though.

My kid is also a rule follower. We went with a consultant who required all essays to be completed by September 1 and all apps by October 1 (even if you were ED). We LOVED this rule. When she started senior year with all essays done she was so happy.

And although my daughter applied and was accepted ED she never regretted the fact that she completed (though did not send in) all of the applications. The night before she was accepted a friend was denied ED and then realized he had to work on a ton of essays and apps to get them done over Christmas break. She was so happy that even if she was denied she had no more work to do!

My daughter never would have done all that work when she did if WE had been the ones to tell her to do so. But an adult who said she had to, of course she would.

For us, we wanted to fail or succeed on our own. My kid was motivated. And even if it sounds cocky, I will say it: I thought I was better than any consultant when it came to my kid. Also, I myself got into an Ivy and top 5 law school with 3.0 gpa so I wasn’t exactly daunted by the process. I felt I knew the audience who would be reading my kid’s application. No way I could feel that way towards other kids no matter how much money I can make. That’s why I can only be a consultant to only my kid.

Please note I have a healthy dose of respect for caring college consultants. I am just saying I wasn’t daunted by the prospect of going through the process without one. And heck ya, you have to be somewhat cocky to apply to one of top colleges in the world and think you have a chance.

I think hiring a consultant can be really worthwhile. I was shocked at the amount of time it took to apply to four prep schools. Not many people have that much time to research. ( I research professionally in another field and still found it daunting). Like anything else, consultants can be worth their weight in gold. So when I read that you can do it yourself, my first thought is, you don’t know what you don’t know. There were some things regarding others had told me that I didn’t really place emphasis on ( like contacting the coach multiple times or sending questions regarding areas of interest to demonstrate interest). This matters. Now our family knows this.
There are literally tens of thousands of competent kids. But knowing how to frame the application matters. When the time comes, I would hire a coach/consultant. Even if it is only to organize the process.

Yeap. That’s why we applied to only one reach and just few matches and few safeties. No way we could have submitted the best possible application to many reaches. And I don’t believe in the shot gun approach; no one giving my kid any award if he had gotten into all top ten schools anyway. I rather have one good swing at a target than many so so swings and hope I make a contact. Fewer is better because of finite time and energy.

We hired one that charged a reasonable amount hourly for D17. We did the research and knew what schools to apply to, but what we used the consultant for was to keep my D on task every week without my nagging. Also to make sure that the Essay looked good. And when we had questions about what to do about certain situations, she was able to answer those. My D is very respectful to adults that are “not her mom” and this made it worth every penny. I would say we spent between 500 to 700$ (cant remember exactly). She got into her “dream” school which was a reach, as well as 4 other schools(target/safeties). . Got waitlisted at one reach and rejected at one ultra reach. For S19, we will be using the same person. We know where he is going to apply, we have a basic idea right now what his essay will be about, but I have no confidence with his less that stellar EF skills that he can do this on his own, and I want to sleep at night. We are using the consultant to make sure the apps are done correctly, that all essays are done and checked, and everything is submitted before Nov 1st (considering EA and maybe ED).

WE have recommended this person to others, and they also have been happy her. So in our case well worth it. Almost like hiring a tutor.