We found our college counselor through the SAT prep class . Learning test taking strategies was extremely helpful. Then we used him as a consultant for interview strategies and mock interviews . That was extremely helpful . With the info my son received, he was well prepared and offered several lucrative scholarships and admitted to his first choice program. I liked the ala carte aspect of our counselor which made it affordable for my family .
I’ll second what @maya54 said. We’re paying mid 4-figures for an all-you-can-eat consultant. Because we started “late” (2nd semester of junior year), she’s pretty much meeting with DD every week. The main benefit of this is - now DD doesn’t hate me. 
And she likes the counselor. “Of course I listen to her when she says it - she’s a professional!” 1 hour a week is perfectly manageable for my daughter, even during school - and it’s enough to get the ball rolling. I’m hopeful that fall won’t be too crazy - I’ve heard horror stories from friends - but that remains to be seen. At least the consultant can be the main heavy, and my role can just be “well, you better at least spend an hour on your essay, because you’re meeting the consultant tomorrow!”
I see the benefits as:
- Project manager for your kid. For me, this is invaluable, and worth the price of admission by itself.
- Advice about schools / ECs / etc. This doesn’t seem overly valuable to me, as I spend so much time doing research myself.
- Extra polish on the apps. I expect that DD’s apps will be (much?) better than they would be if it was just us doing it. That’s of course subjective, depends on the counselor, and TBH it’s too early to tell. But this is just icing on the cake for me.
(1) to me seems to be the main point. Pretty much anyone that doesn’t stink will do a decent job as a project manager. And as a parent, it shouldn’t be too hard to tell if you’re in the “that’s awesome” camp or the “who cares” camp.
Obviously the main con is that it’s stoopid-expensive. So it’s really a question of whether or not this “luxury” is worth it.
Oldfort, I certainly hope you took the $ you intended to spend on your consultant and donated it to charity instead. It’s the only righteous thing to do
Re the money oldfort spent on private consultants, he/she also says that this included all the test prep. Over the years, I have spent thousands on tutors for my dyslexic, dysgraphic son, and I am a test prep tutor. I hired a tutor for my D for the math section of the SAT and she got 760. In addition, it helped her breeze through her math class that year. I am a huge advocate of private tutoring because I know it works. So yes, it’s a ton of money, but if test prep is included, it isn’t so outrageous. And if it also includes all the advising during the school year, plus essay review, etc…I think it could be worth it. But of course, you need to have plenty of cash. @oldfort , I would say your D was fortunate to have that kind of service.
We didn’t use a consultant per se, but did use an advisor/tutor on the college essay, she would meet with my daughter for 1 hour increments to assist in writing her common app essay. First meeting was just getting to know my D, her interests, activities, etc. from this meeting they were able to come up with a topic for the essay. They met 3 or 4 times after that, D would e-mail her drafts and they would then meet to incorporate the recommended changes, edits, etc. Felt this was money well spent
Also used an SAT english tutor and ACT math Tutor, SAT tutor was so so, ACT math tutor was amazing, raised D’s ACT math score from 28 on first ACT to 33 on 2nd. try, overall D was able to raise composite ACT score from 30 on first test to 34 on second, she felt there was no need to take it again after that. She met with this tutor a total of 8 or 9 times for 1 hour sessions. Yes this was money well spent.
In total spent less $1500 and consider it money well spent as we received this back and more in scholarship offers from multiple schools.
Every writer in the world can learn to be a better writer with good coaching. If this is a service you’re looking for, ask to see work product. The consultant should be able to show you a sample of student writing with edits and suggestions added.
We never considered using a college consultant for our two kids. My wife and I felt that we knew the college landscape well. We purchased a couple of college guides, in hopes that these would inspire the kids. They never touched the books, and did not become engaged in on-line forums (the Princeton Review site was then active). But we couldn’t envision any added value from hiring somebody to work with the kids.
We knew our kids. Neither had the time (or patience) to listen to another “parent” in the process. They did not want to get engaged in the college admissions or selection process until they were ready, which was late Spring in their junior years in high school. Prior to that, we had of course talked about college, and we made sure that they participated in the full ACT and SAT testing process. Neither one spent more than a couple of hours prepping for any of these exams. Enough to familiarize themselves with the format and take the practice tests in the booklet. Our son first took the SAT in 6th grade as part of the talent search program at Northwestern. In the end, he was a NMSF (SAT score 1570) and received a national merit award from the University of Chicago.
Our daughter was interested in art as a career, and art schools for college, so we focused on giving her the experience and credentials that were most relevant for that. She didn’t need super-high SAT’s. Her SAT scores were in the mid-high 600’s (29 ACT). Plenty good. She needed to develop her artistic skills and put together a good portfolio. She attended summer pre-college art programs after her sophomore and junior years of high school (at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago). We made one grand car trip to visit colleges in summer after her junior year (11 colleges in 10 days). She did not want to make visits prior to that. She visited RISD on this tour, and that’s where she ended up attending.
Essay writing? My career involves writing, as a professional social scientist. My wife’s writing is highly nuanced and highly logical and she had published about French literature. (These days she mainly writes community newsletters.) We let the kids write the essay drafts. We made comments. They made improvements. We checked spelling and grammar. Done. Essays were not something we needed to hire external advisors for. It’s true that the essays were written at the last minute; we had to nag, but the kids met the deadlines. Our son was an excellent writer. His first drafts barely needed editing. Our daughter’s writing was less sophisticated but authentic. I edited for grammar and simplicity of expression but let her voice come through.
Perhaps what made this process smooth overall is that while the kids expected to attend college they were not fixated on admission to particular colleges. We came up with lists of plausible places, covering the range of “degree of difficulty” from reach to match to automatic admit. Financial aid availability did not figure into the calculus.
Our son was admitted to all but one of the 7 colleges he applied to, including two large rolling-admit in-state universities. Our daughter was admitted to every one of the 5 colleges she applied to (she started the application for a 6th, but was ill at the time the required “home-test” occurred and had to withdraw her application). The process wasn’t totally without angst. But it wasn’t grueling and horribly time-consuming.
@oldfort what did the counselor open your eyes to that you didn’t know?
Did they end up being useful?
We promise we will receive them well
I’ve been on both the receiving and the giving end of consulting. I received free help from a consultant with my oldest son back in 2011. I think this consultant charges an arm and a leg, but through a connection and for whatever reason, she took us on. It was incredible, invaluable help. Though I had been on CC, I felt specific information coming from her was stuff I hadn’t learned about, and was specific to my son. He was a top student and got into all 10 of his colleges (just graduated from MIT this week), but I have not clue if that would have happened without her. At any rate, it gave me confidence and a great deal of knowledge.
I began consulting as a barter for a friend the next year, and then by word of mouth, have expanded (but still very part time). I am cheap, work by the hour, and definitely don’t earn what I am worth for the hours I spend. I recently began working for another company that pays a little more, but no matter. I love helping families/students with college applications! My students come with various levels of need. Sometimes, my support is just for the homeschool parent and very little for the student. Other times, I am only an essay editor (I prefer to know the student well in order to edit essays, but that doesn’t always happen). Sometimes, I have people come to me at the last minute after either they unhappily worked with an expensive consultant or they realized they were overwhelmed by the application process. I find this last scenario with students who are applying to top colleges.
My students and I text often, and I helped one of my students with her arts supplement by letting her borrow my video camera and uploading it to Youtube for her. Some students are so stressed; having help is a lifesaver.
As far as I can tell, they are happy, as I continue to work for the siblings of original students.
Some of the things I think people get from a good consultant if parents don’t have time or inclination to do it themselves:
-help building a college list; finding the “best fit” colleges is something I love to do. I like to give my students a survey, and when we meet, it helps them to cogitate on what’s important to them, as well as think about things they hadn’t considered
-financial aid advise (I always recommend my clients see a friend of mine who works in f. aid in order to have realistic view of what it will cost; she is also cheap)
-editing essays (and helping to edit resumes, arts resumes, emails to colleges, and homeschool parent documents)
-organizing applications/deadlines
-components of applications such as arts supplement, activities resume, and things students might not have known about
-teaching students and parents how to communicate with colleges via email or phone. It can be intimidating to many people
-research colleges, majors, and make spreadsheets with requirements
-follow up to make sure items aren’t missed
-answering very specific-to-student questions. Sometimes, even CC doesn’t have all the answers.
One thing I did not do well last year, though it mostly had to do with the lateness that some of my students came to me, is help them get a jump start on interviews. Many colleges offer interviews in junior year or summer before senior year, and at least one of my students missed the majority of interview deadlines (came to me in October because she thought she could handle it all, but felt overwhelmed; parents are totally out of the picture except for paying).
I could write more, but it is very gratifying to get notes, texts, emails, etc. from excited and happy students who are thankful for the help.
I don’t fault anyone for hiring consultants; I don’t fault anyone for paying a lot for consultants if they can afford them. For those that don’t need them, that’s wonderful! I didn’t use one for my middle son last year, but boy, if I had the money, I would have, even though it’s what I do, because he was so darn difficult to work with during the first half of the fall until he got into the “groove”. I did email my old mentor with some very specific questions relating to essays, counselor letter and midyear report. Sometimes, just having confirmation that we’re on the right track is invaluable.
When D1, our second child, was applying, my H’s company offered as a benefit a free consultation with a professional college counselor. I did not find it helpful. What he knew, I also already knew. And what I didn’t know and asked him, he didn’t have an answer for.
D2 will likely be applying test-optional. That seems to be a no man’s land as far as assessing admissions chances, so I think it would be helpful to find a counselor who had already helped others apply that way. But after paying for college for the other two and still needing to save for the third, we can’t afford to hire anyone!
@TheGFG below is a website which provides a listing of test optional schools:
http://fairtest.org/university/optional
It’s quite extensive. My daughter was admitted to The George Washington University test optional. The key to her success was her resume (which included a full IB diploma program).
Thank you, HappyFace2018! We have identified some schools that seem like a good fit, but typically one uses the student’s test scores to help determine admissions chances since GPA’s are quite variable by school. I don’t know how perfect her transcript needs to be in the absence of those test scores… Probably more perfect than it is, lol… Also, D will be a recruited Div. 3 (or 1) athlete which complicates the situation further as far as estimating chances.
@TheGFG Here’s the information from the GW website regarding test optional:
Test-Optional Policy
The George Washington University’s (GW) test-optional policy went into effect on August 1, 2015, so if you are applying for freshman or transfer admission you are not required to submit standardized test scores, except in select circumstances.
This policy aligns with our admissions philosophy of holistic review, supports the university strategic plan on access, reflects the most current data analysis regarding the use of testing in admission and is clear and easy to communicate and understand. The best indication of whether a student will be successful at GW is their performance in high school—the grades they earn and the rigor of their coursework. This has always been the most important part of the application process at GW and this will not change, regardless of whether you choose to submit scores.
Students Required to Submit Test Scores
If you are part of one of the following groups you are still required to submit SAT/ACT scores:
Applicants to the accelerated seven-year B.A./M.D. program
Applicants who are homeschooled
Applicants who attended secondary schools that provide only narrative evaluations rather than some form of grading scale
Recruited NCAA Division I athletes
Choosing Whether or Not to Submit Test Scores for Consideration
SAT/ACT scores are an optional credential and as an applicant you can decide if you want to submit your scores to GW as part of your application. If you feel your SAT or ACT scores are an accurate reflection of your academic abilities, you are welcome to submit them for consideration. There is no preference for SAT or ACT scores.
If you choose not to submit test scores, you will not be viewed negatively. Test scores are not required for consideration in special programs, such as the University Honors Program or Women’s Leadership Program, or for merit scholarships.
If you choose to submit your test scores, the Admissions Committee will consider scores in a manner that is consistent with other documents that are often submitted, such as resumes, supplemental letters of recommendation from individuals other than a teacher or counselor and interviews.
GW will accept scores from both the old version of the SAT (test administered prior to March 2016) and the redesigned SAT (offered beginning March 2016). If a student chooses to submit redesigned SAT scores, GW will consider the reading and math sections only; GW does not evaluate the writing section of the redesigned SAT or the writing section of the ACT in the admissions process.
If you submit scores from both versions of the SAT, the scores cannot be combined into a “superscore.”
Notifying the Admissions Committee
You will need to indicate whether or not you will submit your scores on the member screen of your Common Application. If you are planning to submit your scores, you must request they be sent directly from the College Board or ACT well in advance of the application deadline. If you decide you want to include your scores after you’ve submitted your Common Application, email us at gwadm@gwu.edu by your application deadline and include your full name and GWID or date of birth.
Scores on Your Transcript
If you indicate that you will not submit your scores, they will not be considered in the admission process even if they are included on your official high school transcript.
Score Consideration
GW will superscore the SAT, which means that the Admissions Committee will consider only the highest critical reading, math and writing scores you’ve submitted, regardless of test administration. We will not superscore the ACT, but the committee will consider the highest submitted composite score. We will not recalculate a new composite score from subsection scores on various dates.
@TheGFG, it appears that, as a recruited athlete, your daughter will have to submit test scores as per NCAA requirements. Do double check that with NCAA, but that is my understanding.
I also think that moderate test scores aren’t a deal breaker. I worked with a student applying to top schools who had a 28 ACT (took it 3-4 times). Her SAT scores were even lower. She will be attending UCB. She did not get into her reachy-reach schools, nor did I think she would, but she had to try. She was very pleased with her admissions results. She had nothing particularly special about her other than a 4.0 u/w GPA from a mediocre, rural high school and a not particularly rigorous courseload (one AP score of 5), and an interesting dance background.
Holistic admissions can help, as long as the student can really tell his/her story well.
That’s encouraging, sbjdoro! Yes, I knew she’d have to submit scores for recruiting, but that is a partially separate process from admissions for Div. 3 test optional colleges as per several recruiting workshops at said schools. She took the old SAT (poor score), the ACT (respectable, much better than the SAT but with plenty of room for improvement), one great SAT II taken last year, and two more taken this past Saturday which she felt good about. Will be re-taking the ACT this coming Saturday. So she will have scores as needed.
Div3 athletes do not have to qualify through the NCAA clearinghouse. Other athletes (D1 and D2) do, but there is a minimum that is usually way below what a school like Georgetown would require of its applicants. The school doesn’t have to consider the score (and thus include it in its averages) as long as it meets the minimum required. The school also has some NCAA reporting requirements so could use the scores for that purpose but not for admissions.
Yes, it’s true that Div 3 athletes don’t have to go through the NCAA clearinghouse. However, some TEST OPTIONAL Div. 3 schools nevertheless do require score submission from their athletes–a case when “optional” doesn’t really mean optional… Perhaps it’s due to the reporting requirements you allude to.
@Lindagaf…our experience has been very similar. My daughter is just finishing her junior year. I probably could have done most of the process on my own, but our CC has given me tips that I would have not known until getting further into the process. We pay her by the hour($75 and I think it will be about $1000 when all is said and done). I have learned just as much here on CC. We are looking at it as it will also help us with our younger 2.
I did D1 myself with the help of this site. She graduated from her top choice college, and we talk about our college trips with fondness. That said, we made some missteps, especially with the merit aide piece. With D2, we have hired someone to help her. THe jury is still out as she is a junior, but I would agree that having a non parent assist with the management has definite advantages. They have a great relationship, and I think her influence is calming to both of us. That said, she has many students to advise, and doesn’t have time to do a lot of detailed research. I still do that, and consider it an adventure.
@shoot4moon , that’s it exactly. A good CC works with you. As one of my favorite CCS said, “you know your kid much better than I , I know college admissions much better than you do.” And she does, having been on, and been a consultant to, admissions committees at several schools including ivies. Which, btw, has given her a vast “insider” network so that she can get answers to questions. (This is why they are often particularly helpful for outlier situations.) No matter how great we think our kid’s essay is, we’re not seeing it in the context of someone who has read tens of thousands of them.
It’s a partnership between the CC, your kid, and you. It works best when you’re informed and doing your part. And as in any partnership, you need the right chemistry. What works for one family may not work for another.