| Private counseling for college preparation is a growing | | | | sign up the bulk of their clients later after they get |
| industry with thousands of people calling themselves | | | | their PSAT scores, but that can be too late. |
| educational consultants. Are private counseling | | | | 4. Do college essay services improve chances? |
| services really beneficial? Parents and students should | | | | College essay services constitute a growing business |
| consider a few key points before putting out money | | | | niche with numerous companies offering to assist |
| for these types of services. | | | | students in focusing and proofreading their essays. |
| 1. Should you pay for college prep counseling? | | | | The problem is colleges can spot a professionally |
| The competition for acceptance into top colleges | | | | edited essay. Essays not done in the authentic voice |
| seems to get harder each year. In addition to a high | | | | of the student are evident. |
| grade point average, advanced placement classes, | | | | 5. Are better SAT scores guaranteed? |
| and SAT scores, students may be expected to | | | | SAT preparation has become a given in the college |
| participate in extracurricular activities as well. | | | | admissions process, and classes may help to get |
| Parents frequently hire private college counselors in | | | | ready for the test by teaching certain methods or |
| the hopes of getting their kids in the right school. | | | | time-saving strategies. Students can use online prep |
| However, paying for a counselor might be | | | | web sites, which often cost little or no money. |
| unnecessary because high school counselors in most | | | | Families who hire a tutor should be careful of anyone |
| cases provide similar advice without any expense. An | | | | who guarantees a gain in their score. |
| exception may be when school counseling is | | | | 6. Are they offering paid scholarship services? |
| inadequate. | | | | Be wary of companies that offer to sell scholarship |
| 2. Do private counselors have any credentials? | | | | seminars. The information you get may be of little |
| There are two major national associations for private | | | | value since most scholarship information is available |
| college counselors, the IECA and the NACAC, both | | | | for free online, through your child's high school, and |
| require members to demonstrate a certain level of | | | | the local groups, nonprofits and corporations that are |
| experience but don't offer accreditation. Another | | | | running the programs. |
| group, the AICEP, says they require a master's | | | | 7. Does a private counselor offer a built-in |
| degree in a relevant field, references and a written | | | | advantage? |
| exam, but they concede that guidelines are flexible. It | | | | Some college admissions officers say that help from |
| appears that most counselors have no formal | | | | an upscale private consultant could be a detriment to |
| accreditation. | | | | a student's chances. Independent counselors are |
| 3. Is it too late to benefit from private counseling? | | | | often seen as a privilege of the advantaged student |
| Many colleges use an applicant's GPA and SAT scores | | | | and that selective colleges struggle against this built-in |
| during sophomore and junior year, which means that | | | | bias in the admissions process. Parents and students |
| hiring a college counselor later in high school can have | | | | need to be aware that while some services can be |
| little effect. Because they don't want to turn away | | | | helpful, others may be detrimental. |
| paying customers, many private college counselors | | | | |