Applying to college can be a stressful and confusing process for both you and your child. Between testing changes, testing timelines, creating a study plan, and narrowing down college lists, it’s easy for the college application process to feel impossible.
Enter college admissions counselors. These experts stay on top of the latest college changes for you, and help your child create a plan with these changes in mind. Whether answering questions like, “When should you start researching colleges?” or providing insight into the average profile for students accepted in the most recent college class, college admissions counselors can help.
Why Do People Hire College Admissions Counselors?
College admissions counselors give your child clarity throughout the college admissions process. They’re experts in navigating college admissions and the latest changes, so your child can focus on building the strongest application they can. They’re aware of the average student profile for students accepted into top schools for the previous year, and can review your child’s current profile to identify areas for improvement.
College admissions counselors can help your child avoid making two common mistakes: applying to too many schools and applying only to reach schools. They know how well your child’s application compares to the average student accepted into Ivy League schools and can help them create a balanced college list.
No matter how hard your child works, if they miss an important deadline it could jeopardize their chances of acceptance. College admissions counselors help your child stay on track of upcoming deadlines so nothing slips through the cracks.
Do College Admissions Counselors Actually Help?
When college admissions counselors are used in conjunction with tutors, yes, they can help your child.
College admissions counselors work with students to narrow down the college list, create a personalized plan based on this list, identify areas in their college application that can be improved, and help manage deadlines. They also offer insight into extracurricular activities – volunteer opportunities, summer programs, or school clubs – your child can complete to improve their academic profile.
Writing about yourself is hard. College admissions counselors can review your child’s essays and college applications before submission to ensure your child is putting their best foot forward.
Although this part is often overlooked, they also offer your child emotional support throughout the entire college admissions process.
Should I Hire a College Admissions Counselor?
When deciding whether or not to hire a college admissions counselor, you should consider your child’s college goals. If they want to attend an Ivy League or top 100 school, yes, you should hire a college admissions counselor soon rather than later. Even if they don’t want to get into an Ivy League school, a college admissions counselor’s support can still help your child strengthen their academic profile.
Can a College Admissions Counselor Improve My Chances of Getting Into a Top School?
Yes, working with a college admissions counselor can improve your child’s chances of getting into a top school.
Although acceptance rates vary by school, the national Ivy League average acceptance rate, not counting Princeton or Cornell, which do not publish acceptance data immediately, for the Class of 2028 is around 4.5%.
| Class of 2028 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance Rate | |
| HARVARD | 54,008 | 1,970 | 3.6% |
| PRINCETON | – | 1,411 | – |
| YALE | 57,465 | 2,146 | 3.7% |
| COLUMBIA | 60,248 | 2,319 | 3.85% |
| UPENN | 65,236 | 3,523 | 5% |
| BROWN | 48,904 | 2,638 | 5.4% |
| DARTMOUTH | 31,657 | 1,685 | 5.3% |
| CORNELL | – | 5,139 | – |
In 2024 alone, 94% of C2 students were accepted to top 100 schools. That’s because, unlike high school guidance counselors, college admissions counselors are experts in college admissions and what schools are looking for in applicants. They’re aware of changing standardized test requirements, changes to existing standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, what changes mean for the incoming class, acceptance rate fluctuations, the average profile of accepted students, and more.
This expertise helps your child create a well-rounded, competitive application that can help them stand out in a large applicant pool. Moreover, they work with fewer students, allowing them to really understand your child’s needs and create a plan unique to them. This can help increase their chances of acceptance into the most competitive schools in the country.
How To Choose a College Admissions Counselor
When deciding which college admissions counselor, first consider what your child wants to accomplish while working with a counselor. Going into a consultation with a clear idea of what your child needs can save you from purchasing packages that don’t match their goals and shopping around for another counselor after the fact.
Ask About Experience and Past Results
Don’t hesitate to ask potential college admissions counselors how previous students under their care have performed. This can include asking about the average profile of students they work with, acceptance rates of past students, and how their services have helped students improve.
Pay close attention to the language they use when speaking of past results and setting expectations of the results your child can achieve with their support. If they speak in absolutes or seem to be pressuring you to make a decision, they may not be the best fit. Regardless of past outcomes, no admissions counselor can promise your child will be accepted to any school.
If the answers they give seem vague or evasive, this could be another red flag. Without transparency, it’s almost impossible to feel confident a specific counselor is the right fit for your child and their goals.
Schedule a Consultation With Them (And Bring Your Child)
Encourage your child to also ask potential college admissions counselors questions throughout the consultation. Since they’ll spend a ton of time with them, pay close attention to how they interact with your child and vice versa. Does your child grow more comfortable with them throughout the interaction, or is the counselor talking over them?
Good counselors will actively listen, engage, and set clear expectations for you and your child. If they offer multiple packages, they should clearly explain each option and help you decide which package best fits your child’s needs since this – and their overall demeanor talking to your child – can be a great indicator of how they’ll guide and empower your child throughout their college prep process.
They should also establish clear, realistic timelines and a structured roadmap for how they can help your child be as competitive as possible before submitting their application.
Is Paying for a College Counselor Worth It?
If your child plans on going to college – and they want structure and support throughout the process – yes, paying for a college counselor is worth it. Their unique insights can keep your child organized and help them adapt to new changes without feeling overwhelmed. The right counselor brings clarity to what’s normally an overwhelming process.
Want to see how our college admissions counselors can help your child reach their goals? Schedule your free consultation today!
