<p>
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FellowCCViewer,
What do you think would be a reasonable fee? I would like to remain relatively calm when I get a price quote. Are we talking 3K OR 30k?
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Whatever floats your boat. It's worth it if the consultant can help you. The hard part is finding a good one.</p>
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I think hiring an admissions consultant is an unnecessary waste of money.
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not unless the consultants had a history of sending kids to top schools..and the kids feel that the consultant was useful.</p>
<p>I am not trying to make my daughter quit running and do activities that she would hate. That's not what positioning would be about. It's about emphasing the best in her.<br>
The consultant I am meeting in two weeks does not have a long history of sending kids to a variety of schools. He was a head of admissions at my daughter's first choice school for about 20 years so I am hoping he would be know better how to market her for admission there.</p>
<p>This makes me sick to my stomach. You rich, privilged kids and parents who have the money to spend on these outside consultants do not need yet another advantage in the college admissions process. Stop and think about the genius from an impovershed family who's also trying to get into a highly selective University. Can he/she afford to blow money on expensive consultants? Are you or your son/daughter really getting into a college on your/his/her own merit by giving yourself yet another leg up in a process that already favors rich families too much?</p>
<p>I got a consultant. We just used the money we saved by my never taking SAT prep classes. She was very helpful, but she did nothing for me. Our meetings were just to motivate me to work on essays. I have a terrible work ethic, so it just helped me to have specific deadlines and such to get my essays done. She never wrote anything for me (although I heard that she did write an essay for a friend of mine who's going to Cornell) or did any dirty work. All it was was that essay help (sorta) and giving me a list of reach/match/safety schools (I ended up choosing a school that wasn't even on her list).</p>
<p>Bullcrap. So of the smartest undeprivilaged kids don't even apply to elite schools because poorer public schools have AWFUL college counseling. Even the ones that have their act together would probably just tell the kid to apply to a state university. </p>
<p>And in order to get a free ride, the kid has to get admitted first..</p>
<p>no; CC is very much like an admission consultant to me :) i am like so expert on admissions now (not that being an expert on the process would help me get in without necessary stats, but it should help just a little bit ;) )</p>
<p>There is no question that wealth has its privileges, and education is only one area that holds. Why is anyone surprised? I am more aghast about health issues that those who do not have the money have to face. It is not fair, I agree, but this is a capitalistic society. The top schools do give those kids from disadvantaged backgrounds consideration for the lack of money in their household, but it is not going to level the playing ground,as it is deeper than that. The differences and inequities can start from birth, certainly by early school age.</p>
<p>@brysia
please tell us about your meeting. I am starting to think your consultant IS Stetson. You don't need to divulge, but I would be interested in the process.</p>
<p>cpt is exactly right. Kids who enter K or elem. school without the basics--an understanding of patterns, knowing #s, letters, colors--are significantly less likely to learn to read fluently and do well academically.</p>
<p>but tulsa, rather than directing your ire at brysia, I hope you can find some time to volunteer once a week in the DC schools. Our area schools can use tutors or mentors at almost every level and you are not required to commit a large block of time.</p>
<p>Tulsadem,
Are you saying that paying for educational consultant is unethical?
How about paying for SAT prep, summer programs, private schools, tutoring, etc.? It's just one more adventage. Yes, the educational system sucks and it should be changed but in the meantime I have a kid to educate.</p>
<p>At my school the admissions consultants are allowed to write the recommendations on behalf of the teachers/counselor and these consultants don't feel it's wrong. Basically just paying your way into college...and nobody wants to do anything about it.</p>
<p>Thanks for clarifying, brysia.
I am interested in this aspect of admissions. If you feel comfortabe sharing, how did come to connect with this consultant since he doesn't advertise etc.
It seems like his major asset is being an insider on her #1 choice school, so college selection isn't what you are looking for him to bring to the table. Aside from helping your daughter focus her energies and consolidate ecs, what are his services? Will he give feedback/suggestions on essays?</p>
<p>if you have the money... why wouldnt you? i am sure the admission consultant knows the hidden secrets and strategies unknown to us that will significantly increase your childs chances of getting in where she wants. i just wish my family had that kind of money</p>
<p>I would highly recommend not hiring an admissions consultant. Every college has a different sort of personality, and requires different types of people - and the admissions officers know that. If a college is truly a good match for your daughter, the college will accept her. She should go somewhere matching her talents - if you use a consultant to get into a name-brand school, competing with students who are extremely talented (not to say that your daughter is not, because I know nothing about her - sorry if it comes across that way!) may be bad for her self-esteem, post-college opportunities, etc.</p>
<p>All in all, you don't choose a college - the college chooses you. The best thing you can do for your daughter is encourage her to be herself in the admissions process. First choices change - I know that my first choice was Stanford, but I visited during Admit Weekend in my accepted colleges and decided finally on MIT, because the atmosphere when school is in session is totally different than the atmosphere in the summer. So please, do without the counselor and let your daughter be herself - she'll be happier in the long run.</p>
<p>Mysti,
Are you saying that if she gets into a college that she otherwise would not get in she would be the weakest link in there? What about athletes, legacies, URMs, children of VIPs, etc.? If her first choice changes wouldn't similar criteria apply to other colleges with similar stats?</p>