| High school counselors spend an average of 23 | | | | 5. They help provide direction for students on their |
| minutes working with their college-bound students on | | | | applications and essays. This assures students that |
| the college search and college planning. Most high | | | | they are adhering to deadlines set by their high |
| school counselors work with more than 350 students. | | | | school, colleges, and scholarship applications. |
| Few high school counselors are able to visit colleges | | | | 6. They assist students and families in finding schools |
| or attend conferences because their schools do not | | | | that are affordable. They also provide information on |
| have the budget for them to do so. | | | | financial aid and scholarships and help parents learn |
| Many parents do not feel they have the ability to | | | | ways to pay for college. |
| serve as a guide to college for their teenager. This is | | | | 7. They are not limited in the number of hours they |
| a real concern for families. What's a student to do? | | | | can work with students. This allows them to be |
| Many are turning to college consultants who are | | | | available when students need them, with the |
| helping to fill this gap. They have the expertise to | | | | answers they need. |
| assist college-bound students with the college search | | | | 8. They want to help students find colleges that are |
| and application process. They also have the passion | | | | committed to seeing their students graduate in four |
| and the time. | | | | years, rather than the usual five, six or more. This |
| Here are nine reasons why a college consultant could | | | | can save parents a considerable amount of money. |
| benefit your college-bound student: | | | | 9. They are members of professional organizations |
| 1. They are experts in the college admissions process | | | | like the National Association for College Admission |
| and visit colleges and universities extensively every | | | | Counseling (NACAC) and Higher Education Consultants |
| year to determine the unique qualities in each school. | | | | Association (HECA) and attend state and national |
| 2. They help students with the college search and are | | | | conferences to continue their professional |
| not just interested in brand name schools, but want | | | | development. |
| to find colleges that fit your student's academic and | | | | A college education is one of the most expensive |
| personal needs as well. | | | | investments a family will make. It should be obvious |
| 3. They do not have an emotional attachment to | | | | that more time and thought needs to go into the |
| your child and this allows them to provide unbiased, | | | | college search and college admissions process. Most |
| professional advice. They also help to make the | | | | college consultants charge affordable fees and are |
| college admissions process less stressful for families. | | | | very generous with their time. Many families believe |
| 4. They get to know students on a personal basis | | | | that hiring a college consultant is the best investment |
| which enables them to help students become | | | | they have made. |
| stronger college applicants. | | | | |