| school counselors spend an average of 23 minutes | | | | 4. They get to know students on a personal basis |
| working with their college-bound students on the | | | | which enables them to help students become |
| college search and planning process. Most high school | | | | stronger college applicants. They take the time to |
| counselors work with more than 350 students. Few | | | | find out what is important to a student and what |
| high school counselors are able to visit colleges or | | | | they are looking for in a college experience. This |
| attend national conferences because their schools do | | | | helps in the college search and throughout the |
| not have the budget for them to do so. | | | | application process. |
| Applying to college can be a very stressful | | | | 5. They provide direction for students on their |
| experience. The whole process has changed | | | | applications and essays. They read and review the |
| dramatically in the last twenty years. Most parents do | | | | applications and essays and offer suggestions to |
| not have the time or knowledge to serve as an | | | | improve them if necessary. They set up a schedule |
| effective college guide for their teenager. | | | | so that students are adhering to application and |
| What’s a family to do? Many are turning to | | | | scholarship deadlines set by both their high school and |
| educational consultants for help. They have the | | | | colleges. |
| expertise to assist college-bound students with the | | | | 6. They assist students and families in finding schools |
| college search and application process. They also | | | | that are affordable. They also provide information on |
| have the passion and the time. | | | | financial aid and scholarships. They know the colleges |
| Here are nine reasons why an educational consultant | | | | that are more generous with financial aid and |
| can make a difference for your college-bound | | | | scholarships and encourage students to include a few |
| student. | | | | of these on their college list if they are the right fit. |
| 1. They are experts in the college admission process | | | | 7. They are not limited in the number of hours they |
| and visit colleges and universities extensively every | | | | can work with students. This allows them to be |
| year to determine the unique qualities in each school. | | | | available when students need them, with the |
| They are not relying on what a book or college | | | | answers they need. College counseling is their job and |
| representative might say, but have a good look at a | | | | they are not distracted by other responsibilities. |
| school from their own objective viewpoint. | | | | 8. They want to help students find colleges that are |
| 2. They help students with the college search and are | | | | committed to seeing their students graduate in four |
| not just interested in brand name schools, but want | | | | years, rather than the usual five, six or more. This |
| to find colleges that fit your student’s | | | | can save parents a considerable amount of money. |
| academic and personal needs. Students need to look | | | | Most parents would be surprised to see the low four |
| beyond the school names they are familiar with and | | | | year graduation rate at many schools. |
| consider colleges that may be less known | | | | 9. They are members of professional organizations |
| “hidden gems.” | | | | like the National Association for College Admission |
| 3. They do not have an emotional attachment to | | | | Counseling (NACAC) and Higher Education Consultants |
| your child and this allows them to provide unbiased, | | | | Association (HECA) and attend state and national |
| professional advice. It is often difficult to be | | | | conferences to continue their professional |
| objective when you are working with your own child | | | | development. |
| and this can lead to family frustration. | | | | |