Between juggling coursework, AP® classes, and extracurriculars, high school can be overwhelming for many students. Add standardized test prep, application deadlines, and the constantly changing college landscape into the mix, and you have a recipe for burnout that could have your child perform less than their best and hurt their chances of acceptance into their dream school. While schools provide general academic and personal support, college admissions often require a more in-depth approach to help your child reach their specific goals. This is where a college admissions counselor comes in. They act as personalized guides who can turn your child’s college dreams into a personalized, actionable plan that plays to their strengths and interests.
What Does a College Admissions Counselor Do?
College admissions counselors are experts in the college admissions process. They know what it takes to create a strong college profile so they can stand out when applying to more competitive schools, all while staying updated on the latest changes to the process. They can review your child’s current academic and extracurricular track record, then identify what’s working, potential gaps, and areas for improvement. Then they offer personalized advice that plays to their strengths and helps them overcome their weaknesses.
If your child is interested in pursuing a STEM major, a college admissions counselor could recommend relevant summer research programs or AP courses suited to their future studies. If your child is having trouble in a specific subject, like English or AP World History, a college admissions counselor can recommend tutors who are experts in their fields.
College admissions counselors spend their days staying on top of changing testing trends and important deadlines so students, and their families, don’t have to. They’re well-versed in the college profile of matriculated students for the previous year, stats regarding those admitted to test-optional schools with and without standardized test scores and offer guidance accordingly.
If your child is a junior and still hasn’t considered ACT® prep or SAT® prep, a college admissions counselor can help them weigh the pros and cons, make an informed decision, and point them in the right direction. If your child is in their senior year and is trying to play catch up, a college admissions counselor can help them create a denser, more rigorous outcome-focused plan that makes the most of their final year. While waiting until senior year to start building a college profile is not encouraged, it can still be done. However their application will not be as strong as someone who started planning in their freshman year.
What Is the Difference Between an Admissions Counselor and a Guidance Counselor?
Admissions counselors may be confused with guidance counselors, but they have separate, albeit closely related, roles.
College Admissions Counselors
College admissions counselors often work with private, third-party organizations or as independent consultants and are experts in all things related to college applications and admissions requirements. Since you’ll have to pay for their services out of pocket, they often work with fewer students than high school advisors, who are also called guidance counselors.
College admissions counselors have more free time to provide your child with more one-on-one attention, and their services could include:
- Creating a comprehensive four-year plan throughout high school
- Exploring extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities based on their interests and goals
- Choosing more intellectually stimulating courses
- Application management
- Helping your child create a well-balanced college list
- Reviewing and editing essays
Unlike guidance counselors, college admissions counselors focus solely on college admissions and how to give your child the best chance at creating a solid application.
Guidance Counselors
Guidance counselors are employed by the school district and provide their services to high school students free of charge. While to some extent they can help your child prepare for college, they also help them manage the day-to-day aspects of high school life. They help students create a class schedule aligned with the school district’s academic standards and provide emotional support.
Although the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends schools maintain a ratio of 250 students to one guidance counselor, the reality is much different. The national average for the 2023-24 school year showed for every one guidance counselor, there were 376 students. There’s no denying that guidance counselors play a vital role in the high school experience, but caring for so many students in a given school year means their time is severely limited.
While guidance counselors can help point your child in a generally positive direction, they simply don’t have the time to offer the detailed guidance and consistent support college admissions counselors can.
Do I Really Need a Counselor?
Yes, your child does need a college admissions counselor, especially if they’re applying for a competitive school or scholarship, as their expertise can be invaluable to your child’s success.
When Should You Hire a College Counselor?
Ideally the sooner the better. Starting as early as your child’s freshman or sophomore year can help your child lay a strong foundation before most of their peers even begin thinking about college. Rather than filling their schedules with random extracurriculars and AP courses, they’re picking meaningful experiences that genuinely interest them and tie into their goals for the future.
That said, a college admissions counselor can still be invaluable if you hire one in your child’s junior or senior year. They can help your child prioritize tasks by urgency, create a gameplan to meet upcoming deadlines, and help them submit their application on time.
How Do I Find a Good Admissions Counselor?
Finding a good admissions counselor for your child starts with understanding the kind of support your child needs. Do they need support with the entire application process, or specific areas like essay writing or ACT prep? Narrowing your child’s priority can be a great place to determine what can be a great fit for them.
When interviewing potential admissions counselors, don’t hesitate to ask questions and learn as much about them as you can. Some questions you could consider asking are:
- How long have you been a college admissions counselor?
- What results have past students achieved with your support?
- What’s your pricing and which services are provided at that price point?
A good admissions counselor will be transparent and have supporting evidence to back their claims. More importantly, they won’t overpromise or guarantee results nor will they try to rush you into making a decision. They’ll set realistic expectations and answer each question with patience and expertise.
Is a College Admissions Counselor Worth it?
A college admissions counselor is a great investment if your child has ambitious goals as they can help your child stay on top of the trickier aspects of college admissions like understanding scholarship and financial aid options. Their expertise can lead to better student outcomes and help your child make the most of their high school years.
Preparation matters when it comes to college admissions and having an experienced college admissions counselor in your child’s corner can help minimize stress and put them in the best position to reach their dreams.
Ready to help your child create a college plan suited to their goals? Contact C2 today to get started!
