<p>My school is hiring a new college counselor. They've asked four students (two juniors, two seniors--I'm one of the seniors) to conduct interviews with the candidates. I can basically ask them whatever I want (as long as it's not illegal) to find out how good I think they'd be.</p>
<p>So...in my position, what would you ask?
I've got some ideas already, but before I throw them out, I want to hear yours.</p>
<p>Extra info:
I go to a small, private school where the college counselors give people a lot of individual attention.</p>
<p><em>EDIT</em>
You can also just tell stories about what you like/dislike about your college counselor. That'll probably be useful information as well.</p>
<p>Pretty face (most important)
Thin
Nice personality
Loyal (isn’t going to run away from you)</p>
<p>Willing to trust that intelligent (and rational) students are fully capable of discerning valid from invalid information when it comes to unofficial sources of information like CC, and that it is <em>not</em> a disaster when they divert from what’s traditionally recommended. Counselors frequently only go by what they’re told, which often leads to a frustrating degree of inflexibility, especially when dealing with students who don’t want to stick to the schedules of other students.</p>
<p>(this is also an issue that i often face with doctors and psychiatrists - many of them only go by what they’re told [whereas I sink very deeply into the medical journals], which also leads to a frustrating degree of inflexibility. but there are exceptions.)</p>
<p>basically I do get most of my information from the internet and I basically must carve my own path (although it’s carved by a few other intelligent+brave pioneers on the Internet too). Basically I just want any adviser/counselor/doctor to respect that.</p>
<p>But it sort of does put them in a subordinate role where they can only provide examples to me (examples of how other students did, for example), so that I could make the judgment myself (based on the examples). Unfortunately, I’m not really going to trust anyone else’s judgment unless they’re fully cognizant of the latest research and forums (some may label this as arrogance, but I’ve always been different from everyone else, and I don’t presume to know what’s best for other people).</p>
<p>So to put it shortly, someone who isn’t neophobic. And who recognizes that my “utility” function is a lot different from the “utility” function of other students.</p>
<p>==</p>
<p>Mostly though, I’m now very careful about what I say to most of them. I don’t want to repeat some of the epic conflicts I’ve had with some in the past. There were 2 counselors I knew who were remarkably nice+trusting though.</p>
<p>Also, I also appreciate knowledge about outcomes <em>a lot</em>, but I’ve just accepted that I’m probably never going to get those from anyone (and it’s really okay anyways since I can get it from the internet)</p>
<p>but yeah, being a good listener+empathy is really really helpful</p>
<p>Egh. I had thought this was a somewhat interesting thread topic. And so, I bump.
And thanks, InqOne.</p>
<p>Look for one that thinks outside of the box. It seems like I have to do all my thinking for my counselor and then he tells it was a good idea. I guess you couldn’t really tell until they’re hired, but try to find one that’s not afraid to bend the rules either. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to waste time and effort to go over my counselor’s head and get something done.</p>