<p>Dad got told about <a href="http://www.optionsforcollege.com/about.htm">http://www.optionsforcollege.com/about.htm</a> by a friend who had a daughter, Class of 2014. He now wants me to do it, go to the several interviews, do the online course, and thinks I'll get something out of it. Judging from their URL, it's mainly stuff I've already been doing (although the essay writing tips may be useful). I also don't want it to get entangled with what my HS GC is doing. </p>
<p>So, my question is, has anyone tried this out? Is the About page correct?</p>
<p>Well, it takes time, but it may not hurt. Help with essays and interviewing is good. And can’t hurt to get more input into your college list (just make the choices fit your family’s budget, sometimes counselors etc. don’t really deal with that issue, and it is a critical component for most families). If you DON’T do it and have poor admissions results, you probably won’t hear the end of it from your dad for years. We did plenty of work to supplement our GC’s advice – only worry if something contradicts between the two (course says to do one thing, GC says something else). Then come here for arbitration. 
If we had just relied on our GC, neither of our kids would have had the lists and choices they ended up with.</p>
<p>I must say I am suspicious of the “resume writing”. I personally don’t think a resume has anyplace in the college admissions process. The Common App asks what they need to know, and colleges sure don’t want extra materials that are repetitive. The only possible use for one that could add to your application process that I know of is to have it for interviews. But I also think the best interviews are NOT focused on your resume specifics, they are about you and the interviewer delving into your interests and passions in ways that don’t show up on a written page. I feel like there are some ‘old school’ counselors who still think a resume should be sent, but given the huge volume of applications today, part of the game is to be succinct but memorable. An extra document they did not request that repeats info on the application isn’t useful in today’s application environment.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>The interview prep is of relatively little value to me, as of the 9 schools still on my list, it seems only the lowest two have interviews (for scholarship programs). And we’ve been writing a resume in class since sophomore year.</p>
<p>Intparent…regarding resume writing…I think it depends on the major. My music major son had a music resume, and also a repertoire list that were used in his applications.</p>
<p>What does this service cost? (From the description on the web site, it looks pricey – but they don’t seem to print actual number). </p>
<p>It sounds like you’ve already developed a college list and are comfortable with the support you are getting at school. </p>
<p>So what does your Dad think this service will provide that you can’t get from your school or figure out on your own?</p>
<p>You aren’t your dad’s friend’s daughter – so you might have very different needs from the friend’s daughter. </p>
<p>I think you should seek out services that you know you need, but don’t waste time and resources on expensive service you don’t need. So before you sign up for the service - you and your father will have to figure out what that “need” is. </p>
<p>We had a different company (College Coach) which was offered though our employer for free; it was not very extensive, but had some videos which were helpful, and a one-time 45 minute personal (telephone) session and they later developed a very helpful college list; it mainly gave us an idea if our idea of match and safety was reasonable (it was). You could sign up and pay for more if you wanted; we never did. But what we got was useful; I doubt we would have paid very much for it if on our own dime!</p>
<p>It’s $300, by the way.</p>
<p>I don’t see how there can be 10 90-minute counseling sessions for $300. Either there is more cost once you get into it, or they are “group sessions”, or the quality is awful (or all of the above). Also, it is supposed to start January of junior year, are you already into summer after junior year? I dunno… parents can be so stubborn, you dad may see this as a way to offset his own insecurities in how to guide you through the college admission process.</p>