<p>The counselor that she was assigned to her for the first three years left last year. Over that time he had at least come to know her name and was aware of the changes in her schedule that were made as my D tried to pursue her particular interests within the tight constraints of the IB program. My daughter was meeting her new counselor for an extended (20-30 minute) visit for the first time. After trying for several weeks to meet with her new counselor to discusss the guidance counselor's letter for colleges, my daughter had her visit today. One reason for the delay was that the counselor won't meet with a student applying to college until the student has completed his/her part of the application. But a couple of appointments were then canceled because she was ill or "too tired" and the meeting was pushed back several weeks. She had been asked to fill out a profile listing her interests and activities but the counselor didn't seem to refer to it as they talked. She asked questions and, as my daughter answered, the counselor typed her comments. The letter was complete at the end of the interview. The process sounded rather perfunctory to me. That was the beginning and the end of her involvement in the process.</p>
<p>6 counselors for 2600 students, 1:434. </p>
<p>Not much chance for a personalized approach. Fortunately my D has decided not to apply to highly selective schools. Heaven help those that do and need every slight edge they can get.</p>
<p>Well, my son's private school is at the other extreme -- there are 3 college counselors for 120 seniors. Keep in mind that this is in addition to advisors who the students have for the other stuff (class selection, etc.) At least we get our money's worth!</p>
<p>My kids' (private) school had two counselors for 94-101 students. It was great. You can get a lot of information by reading (and rereading) the Fiske Guide to Colleges, though. And on this forum. Ask away!</p>
<p>Four counselors for 2400 students. Almost 500 seniors. My son got his counselor rec stuff to her the second week of school, so she had time to work on it. The students who delayed are not getting much of her time. She doesn't really understand college admissions at selective schools. She actually told him he would get in at any school and should apply to several Ivy's. Uggh. Public school.</p>
<p>"She doesn't really understand college admissions at selective schools. She actually told him he would get in at any school and should apply to several Ivy's."</p>
<p>The standard advice at my D's public school is to apply to no more than three colleges, one in-state, one match, one reach. Right.</p>
<p>My private school had one full time college advisor and one part time advisor (he also taught a few English classes and oversaw a student club) for 40 seniors, plus juniors and some sophmores. They were well informed, friendly, always available, caring, and though each student was officially assigned to one of them, both knew all of the students exceptionally well. I can't imagine going through the college process without the support of good college advisors. Every student has a separate faculty advisor who deals with courses and any other issues.</p>
<p>Private high school. 4 for 140. And their position is "College Counselor" -- as blackeyedsusan and corranged said, there are other faculty advisors who help with course selection, etc.. These 4 are purely for college counseling. Their time, experience, and involvement alone are worth a decent part of the tuition we pay.</p>
<p>small public h.s. with 3 counselors (and 1 sec'y) for 90 seniors although they do have advising responsibilities for the other grades as well. the counselors focus mostly on the seniors in the Fall until college apps are done, then deal with the younger grades after january deadlines are past.</p>
<p>2 for 400+ kids -- that's the whole school, so they handle schedules, IEPs, etc. But since it is about 1 counselor to 50 seniors, the kids applying to college get a lot of attention. My daughter and her friends see their GC all the time.</p>
<p>Public school. We have 9 counselors for 1200 kids....about 1:130. And there are about 35-40 seniors per counselor. Counselors are assigned to kids when they are freshmen and for the most part the kids stay with the same counselor for all 4 years. The counselors do scheduling, counseling and the college process.</p>
<p>I think the ratio should be counselors to seniors. Since counselors spend their time disproportionally based upon grade. In my school as in most seniors get most of the attention, especially in the fall. By late spring, juniors get some time. Freshman and sophmores, if they get a hello once a year they are lucky. The lower underclassmen only see guidance if they are in trouble, or they won an award and guidance tells them. My class 275 seniors, 4 counselors or about 1:70. My school asaks the students to bring in their own manilla envelopes and stamps for mailings to colleges. But they do not have a limit on the number of schools you can apply to. I have heard some schools have limits.</p>