<p>My dad is suggesting to me that we get a woman with 30 years experience to help me out in the admissions process. She's supposed to be able to guide me in everything: where to apply, essays, financial aid, etc. I'm applying to some difficult schools and I'm in a difficult situation, so it's tempting, but the price tag is pretty big and I'm somewhat skeptical of her ability to help beyond what you good folks on CC can do. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any experience with these counselors? If so, are they helpful?</p>
<p>When I applied to schools I had no help from anyone. And I didn’t even take it that seriously. I just applied to random schools that looked good without getting to know a thing about them. I also just bsed my essays. And somehow I ended up at Cornell. So I think you will be fine if you do not get this counseling. If your dad is not able to help you then you can ask your guidance counselor for help.</p>
<p>This question has been asked several times in the Financial Aid Forum, and in the Parents Forum. If you run a search for the topic, you will find useful information.</p>
<p>Most people can find out enough information to handle the process themselves - especially if they come to CC! Some parents who don’t have a lot of time to devote to the research, prefer to hire a professional to help their child with his/her applications. Other parents consider it is worth the money to hire a professional because they don’t want to strain their relationship with their child because of all of the nagging, pushing, and prodding that sometimes is required to get a student through all of his/her applications.</p>
<p>Don’t. Just read threads on CC instead.</p>
<p>If you do so with the right frame of mind it never hurts to get advise.</p>
<p>Schedule a session or two with the proposed counselor. Do some homework ahead of sessions regarding the admissions process, schools that might interest you, your financial situation. Prepare some questions. Then see if the introductory meetings are productive. Then decide. At worse you’ll get a praciced perpspective from someone who is likely to look at your situation objectively, and possibly propose steps that you haven’t consider, or validate what you’re doing.</p>
<p>If someone in your family has time to research your questions, if you don’t have a unique situation and if you have access to a decent school counselor, I would save my money.</p>
<p>I know someone who consulted a paid college counselor (and paid a lot for the privilege). My friend asked what to do about the letter from National Merit her HS junior received last spring asking to name two colleges to which the junior’s high PSAT scores would be sent. The counselor said that if the junior couldn’t receive a National Merit scholarship from a college that she didn’t name. In truth, responding to that letter just allows two colleges to see your early interest; some colleges will care, some won’t. It has nothing to do with actually receiving scholarship money. A brief search on CC would have yielded the truth.</p>
<p>This is only one anecdote, of course. Take it for what it is worth.</p>
<p>Fogcity (crossposted) had some good ideas. </p>
<p>Then ask the same question or two of CC and see what responses you get!</p>
<p>It depends. How old are you? it’s best to start counseling as early as possible, so you’re on the right track. I right now have an editor and counselor for all my college applications, and I am somewhat ambivalent. The price is somewhat high, and I don’t think the counseling really helped much. It’s basically common sense and CC that helped me figure out what to do. However, the editting really helped me write better essays.</p>
<p>I appreciate all of the advice. Thank you, everyone!</p>
<p>@illusiondestiny I find it interesting that you ask how old I am. I’ll be applying for 2011, which is the type of answer I think you’re looking for. To answer the former question, I’m currently 14 (will be 15 by time of transfer) and the reason I’m considering counseling is that the potential counselor has successfully dealt with a handful of students my age. I consider myself a transfer student but some of my schools have even suggested I apply as a freshman initially so I have the option to be moved to the transfer pool because their reps are unsure of where I fit in. Applying as a freshman means I have a time crunch I didn’t anticipate. I don’t know whether either party can help me navigate this. </p>
<p>At any rate, I digress. Do you think it’s too late for me to start counseling since I’m basically working on apps now?</p>