<p>Why does everyone (many people) on CC have to criticize Dr. Katherine Cohen? So what if she makes $30,000 off each of her clients? Does this send a message that you can buy yourself into college? I personally don't think so. Anyone can write a good application, but it doesn't hurt to have some guidance. She is has a great track record to back up her fees. If you don't want to pay for help, don't. But if people want to get some professional assistance, by all means, they should get it. Dr. Cohen has published two books with her advice...not the real thing, but a decent substitute. She also does a ton of pro-bono work. I feel that most people are simply jealous of her.</p>
<p>Please note that I am not one of her clients. I simply feel that most people do not know her, so they cannot make a judgement on her as a person. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but please mind what you say.</p>
<p>I think it is pretty obvious why people have a problem with her services. College admissions is supposed to give everyone a chance at success, but obviously someone who is paying $30,000 for an expert to assemble an application is going to have an edge. I am going to guess that for every pro bono case she takes on, she works for 25 paying customers. </p>
<p>On the one hand, I am for capitalism, and say, if people think they need her then fine, waste $30,000. </p>
<p>On the other hand, my morals get the best of me...that kind of help does seem very unfair. At some point, the application is not the applicant's own work. People should be made to fill out applications SAT-style. Hand write the entire thing in a room proctored by an admin. That sounds as fair as it gets. </p>
<p>I had a college counselor outside of my school help me with my resume and pick a list of schools, but I only met with her once for about two hours. I have to say, having someone help with a resume is such an advantage. Beyond that, I did everything by myself. My teachers edited the essays I wrote, I gathered the app fees, made sure my teacher recs were in on time, etc.</p>
<p>I don't understand the hostility too. We seem to be hostile to anyone who has become a household name. </p>
<p>Unless you are like Mother Theresa and totally ascetic, people will scorn you as they see fit. </p>
<p>Like Martha Stewart. Ok, she had reacted to an inside tip like many of us would and paid for it in jail time, the first billionairness jailed. Outside of that, she has not been known to have struck anyone, been subject of a civil suit...etc. Don't forget she's a business woman. What about fair play?</p>
<p>You show good balance in starting this topic, Lockz.</p>
<p>She's well-known in CC, and we are in CC. I think you are nit-picking and ignoring the common defect in people who have no business criticizing other people they don't really know.</p>
<p>because the average person would laugh hysterically at the thought of paying someone $30,000 to get into college (and not getting a plaque with your name on it at that school)</p>
<p>I don't think Dr. Katherine Cohen is that renowned on CC, actually. I've only heard of her once or twice, and her services aren't that popular, although they might give you a bump on your college process. The cost is definitely a lot, and I wouldn't suggest paying an outrageous sum of money for the sake of college. I mean, 30K?! That's like, college tuition itself, basically.</p>
<p>Hehe. I guess I'll further the discussion since I kind of in a way bumped it up. I own a book by her, "The Truth About Getting In", and it's something that I've already learned from CC, so I don't think her tips would be that outstanding to offer, maybe if she worked with you since you were a freshman. You guys who don't know her probably don't need her, since you're already on CC (honestly). CC has a lot to offer, and she probably browses the tips herself before deciding to publish a book and make money off people's personal yet valued opinions.</p>
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Love
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Peace
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and
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Chicken
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Grease! :)
<p>As an interested parent, I have bought a number of books recommended by CC students and parents. I think I can answer the question. It is a matter of tone. Read Bauld's book on writing the college application essay and compare it to Cohen's Rock Hard Apps. The information is similar but the tone is different. (Mark Twain once cut himself shaving and let loose a volley of expletives, which his wife repeated back to him word for word. He retorted, "You've got the words right my dear, but you don't quite have the melody.") I just read, or rather tried to read, Cohen's book. I'm away on a business trip, and I'm simply not going to even pack the book in my luggage. I find something offensive about it. I think it is because it feels like an infomercial.</p>