<p>Hey! I'm going to apply to some US colleges this year but I come from Poland and some of the issues related to the application process aren't familiar to me. What's more, there are some differences between the American and Polish high schools. My question is: who is a SCHOOL COUNSELOR? </p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Well a guidance counselor (which is probably what you’re thinking of) is sort of an advisor. During high school years they help you decide which glasses to take and stuff like that. A college counselor will help you make a college list with reasonable matches, safeties, and reaches. Generally colleges want a letter from a counselor (college or regular counselor).</p>
<p>The important thing that a guidance counselor does at most public high schools in the US, with reference to college applications, is complete the guidance counselor recommendation form in the Common Application. In that form, they compare you to the other students at your school and evaluate how rigorous your coursework was relative to what is available at your school. That way the colleges know if you took the hardest classes available to you and if you challenged yourself academically. Sometimes, if they know you personally, they might talk about what you contributed to the school and any particular challenges you may have faced at home or personally that might impact your grades (illness, divorce, etc…)</p>
<p>If you download and read the guidance counselor recommendation form, you’ll be able to figure out who at your school can supply the necessary information - the school head may be appropriate in your case.</p>
<p>Most of the information that you will need is at [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://www.EducationUSA.state.gov%5DEducationUSA”>http://www.EducationUSA.state.gov). After you have read through it, contact the advising center closest to you. There is at least one advising center in Poland. The counselors there are expert at helping students like you apply to colleges in the US. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you all very much 
That clarifies much for me.</p>