How to Pick a College Consultant: The Advice I Always Wanted to Give as a Prep School College Counselor But Couldn't
I'll be honest, when I worked as a prep school college counselor, it irked me when my families would hire an independent college counselor. My logic being that our students were already getting the best college counseling money could buy. What else could they possibly need?
Now that I'm on the other, other side of the desk, I understand why parents feel the need to hire someone like me. Most commonly, the parents I work with want to preserve their relationship with their child; having someone else be the taskmaster during the college process can help ensure that happens. Also, there are some things I will do as a college coach that I simply wouldn't do as an in-school college counselor. I am available 24-7 to take a panicked phone call or text. I set deadlines, but I will look at an essay last-minute if one of my students falls behind schedule. I also make myself much more available to parents to answer questions and help alleviate their stress and anxieties around the process.
I can only speak for myself, but when I warned parents against independent counselors, I did it because independent college counseling can be such a predatory business. There are SO MANY consultants out there whose only qualification is that they went to an Ivy League college or have a child who attends an Ivy League college. Some have even fewer qualifications, but charge obscene amounts of money to ensure your child a spot at a "top" college. I'm sorry, but that sounds unethical and too Varsity Blues-esque for comfort.
There is a lot of secrecy and obfuscation when it comes to hiring independent counselors, mainly because schools are so vocal about discouraging them. My take (not shared by my former school) is that parents will hire an independent if they think that's what's best for their kid, so let's just give them advice on how to hire someone competent. Now that I don't work in a school, I can finally give the advice that I always wanted to but couldn't. But before I get to my tips, please remember that plenty of students get into their top choice colleges without the help of an independent college consultant. But if you think your family could benefit from having one, here are my top 5 considerations when hiring one:
It may seem obvious, but reason seems to fly out of the window when it comes to college admissions. Hire someone who has actual admissions experience either as a high school college counselor or as an admissions officer. In other words, someone who is qualified. Would you hire a trial lawyer who's never stepped foot in a courtroom? A doctor whose only patient is their child?
Don't believe the hype. Seriously. Just because a consultant is popular, expensive/exclusive, or shows you a prestigious matriculation list doesn't mean they are the right consultant for you. And just because they’ve worked with students who’ve gotten into elite colleges doesn’t mean that they had anything to do with it. No consultant should take credit for any child’s hard work. Instead, ask what their college counseling philosophy is, and figure out if it fits with your family's values. Share what your child needs. Is it self-reflection? Organization? Confidence-building? Stress-management? All of the above? Find out how this person will help your child achieve his/her/their goals.
Check to see if they are a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling. Have they presented at any professional conferences? Who is part of their professional network?
Find out what their college essay coaching philosophy/process is. If they don't stress the importance of helping your child find their voice and story, they might hijack your child's essay and turn it into something inauthentic. When I was an admissions officer, I read many essays that sounded like middle-aged women wrote them. Don't hire a consultant that can't offer feedback on the personal statement that is informed by first-hand experience as an admissions professional.
If you come across someone who offers a money-back guarantee or who wants to receive a bonus if they get your child into their first-choice college, run, don't walk out of that office. That person cares way more about money than they do your kid. In the era of Varsity Blues, there is NO room for lack of ethics in this profession.
One final, but very important, note: the relationship with a consultant should never, EVER, replace the relationship your child has with their in-school counselor. The school counselor is responsible for writing a critical letter of recommendation for your child, and they are the ones who talk to the colleges to which your child is applying. No independent counselor has that kind of access, nor should they.
Bottom line - if you end up hiring an independent counselor, hire someone with first-hand experience, not a talented businessperson/marketer, and please don't neglect to develop a relationship with your in-school counselor.