<p>I'm considering getting a private college counselor just to look over my resume, identify what schools I have a good chance at, help organize my essays, and answer some random questions, but I'm wondering if they're really worth it. Can I get your opinions on it? How much do they normally cost, and are they worth the money? Also, if you have any suggestions on an actual counselor that you recommend, that'd be great (i live in Los Angeles)! Thank you :)</p>
<p>I’d save the money and just ask your questions on here.</p>
<p>I think your question is hard to answer. It really depends on your needs. Many people use private counselors for college lists. They help define schools for you based on your desires, needs and aptitudes. Also, do you need financial safeties? Looking for merit money? Often a good private counselor knows the current trends and can help you target schools more efficiently.</p>
<p>I agree with kay92 you could get all the help you need here. I also think a college counselor can show you things no amount of research can because they ask a different set of questions that leads to a different set of doors to open and discover.</p>
<p>Prices vary widely! Do ask around. There is one college counselor that put all her info on a website for free. She did this because she wants good advice to be available to all. It is a pretty useful tool.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!!</p>
<p>“Is it worth it?” is just an impossible question to answer for anybody but yourself.</p>
<p>I think hiring a college counselor is akin to hiring a lawn service. Some people can’t fathom paying somebody perfectly good American money to cut the grass and mulch the flower beds when they could just do it themselves. Other people will use their very first discretionary dollars in order to avoid mowing their own lawns.</p>
<p>Similarly, some people are happy to spend money to have somebody else scour the internet looking for information about suitable colleges, keeping track of the deadlines, and getting into it with their teenagers over when they’re going to write those darn essays. Other people would just as soon set their money on fire as engage a consultant to do that stuff.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth (not much, really), I don’t cut my own grass, and I didn’t use a consultant.</p>
<p>I suggest calling or emailing local college counselors to check about prices and packages. I’m in Houston and my yearly packages range from $1400-3,000 but I do stand-alone services, such as essay services or college selections for $100/hour.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! When do you suggest hiring said tutor? I’m thinking of just getting a few hourly lessons, so September/October-ish? In time for UC and EA apps…</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>There are a number of great private counselors all over the globe. Like looking at schools, however, you must do some research. And just like people who assume an ivy league education is the best, for some people the high end counselors may not be the right fit. High prices do not equate with what is best or even helpful for your long term success.</p>
<p>Ask around locally, there are sure to be some people you or your family knows. If you are investing significant sums of money you want an experience that is fun and educational (or close to it) rather than stressful and focused solely on some bottom line. There is far too much hype about all this. </p>
<p>Chill. Work hard. Do well. You then will have wonderful options. Let this year be one you will remember for all the friends you made or kept, the time with family, and then, after that, the college search process.</p>