<p>I am a German journalist working on a story about the college admission process in the US. Is there anybody out there who uses/used a private coaching service for the college application? What are your experiences, does it/did it help your application? Would you recommend it? I am particularly interested in coaching services for Ivy League applicants. </p>
<p>Please post a short reply here or send me a private message , I would like to do the actual interview over the phone. In case you don't want to be mentioned with your name in the story that's fine. We can discuss those kind of details later. </p>
<p>I've always wondered about the people who go into this business, and I think that would make a good read.</p>
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<li><p>Who are these people? Did they even attend a highly-selective college? Did they ever serve as an admissions officer at a college? Or are they blowhards?</p></li>
<li><p>Do these people have a track-record that actually demonstrates that their skills have anything to do with the results they get? Having a testimonial from a client who get into Harvard with a 1270 doesn't prove that the counselor is good if that client is a diversity applicant. Nor does having a testimonial from a client who got into 5 top schools if the client was a 4.0/1600 who just wanted to use a counselor to be extra-safe.</p></li>
<li><p>Is their essay-writing help any better than (or even as good as) hiring someone who could do a similar job for much less (e.g., an english PhD student)?</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I've thought about going into this sort of business, but it seems like it would be hell to deal with rich obnoxious parents and spoiled rich kids all day.</p>
<p>The types of kids who are sitting in a paid college counselor's office trying to get a leg up on admissions -- rather than out doing some pursuit that will actually help their chances -- are more than likely spoiled rich kids. And their parents -- who are spending a couple grand -- depending on you to help their kid are going to want results.</p>
<p>College counselling is what makes the admissions process favorable to weathly people... some costing upwards of $20,000 - what middle-class family can afford that?</p>
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College counselling is what makes the admissions process favorable to weathly people
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<p>It does? I'm not sure that it does.</p>
<p>Of course other things that cost money make the admissions process favorable to the rich (e.g., private SAT tutoring, tutors for courses, resources to excel in an EC), but I'm not sure that college counseling is one of those things that actually helps.</p>
<p>I have no experience with private college counseling. My kids are all aready in college and my daughter lucked into the perfect school for her because she had attended a summer program after her junior year in NYC. The counselors in her public HS were NO HELP in finding schools...their main function seems to be handling issues with students who struggle for one reason or the other.</p>
<p>So, for those who attend large public HS's and get no "college counseling" at all, a private service would make some sense. Or, just come to this site. You do have to take the info gained here, however, and verify it for yourself...</p>
<p>My older daughter went to a private HS and benefitted from the guidance she received there. The second daughter has gone to parochial school where the guidance is aimed at church colleges. I think another advantage that middle class and rich parents probably have some experience themselves with colleges and college admissions. Even without private counseling these kids get better advice.</p>