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Article #259: Why Hiring a Private College Consultant Makes Sense... And Can Also Save Money

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Four years of college at many private Finding the right college for the less
colleges currently costs between $180,000 competitive student is just as important.
and $200,000. Next to a house, college Many less competitive colleges have
is the most expensive purchase most higher drop out rates and lower
people will make during their lifetime. graduation rates than some of the well
Despite those costs, many students choose known colleges. It is common to find
a college without adequate investigation colleges with four year graduation rates
into what would be the best college for less than 50%. These students often need
that student. As a result one out of help to find a college that can help the
three college students leave the college student learn and yet graduate in a
where they started and five out of ten reasonable period of time.
require five or more years to earn their Another group of students that often
degree. With thousands of choices, it can benefit from the help of a private
be difficult to find the right college college consultant are those with unusual
for any student. Hiring a private college circumstances. Students with special
consultant can help students avoid these needs and learning disabilities need to
costly mistakes by finding the right find colleges that have certain resources
college the first time. not available at all colleges. Home
For many students the work to find the schooled students can also benefit from
right college often creates stress for an experienced private consultant. Many
both the student and their parents. The colleges are unsure how to evaluate a
student is trying to balance the college student without traditional grades and
search with homework, extracurricular this can put home schooled students at a
activities, friendships and just being a disadvantage. A college consultant can
teenager. Finding the right balance can work with the student to communicate
be difficult. At the same time, parents their strongest qualities in a way that
worry about ensuring the best future for the colleges will understand.
their child and put additional pressure Many students rely on high school
on the student when they least need it. guidance counselors to help them in the
Working with a consultant can take some search for the right college. Some
of that pressure away. A good consultant students are fortunate to have an
can take a step back and help the student experienced college guidance counselor
address those issues related to the with whom to work. Even these hard
college search process without being a working professionals, however, do not
nagging parent. Parents are left to have the time to work one on one with
provide the nurturing they can do best. those students who want such support.
A private college consultant can also More commonly, many guidance counselors
help to understand what is needed to gain just don't have the time to spend helping
admission to colleges as they have become each student with the college search
more selective. Even those schools once process. With an average ratio of almost
considered safety schools by many 500 students for each counselor, many
students have gotten more selective in high school counselors can't take the
their admissions and can no longer be time to help students with individualized
considered safety schools. college counseling. Because of time
The days are gone when high grades and constraints it is not uncommon that many
test scores alone could guarantee of these busy counselors only know about
admission to many colleges. Colleges now in state schools that they deal with on a
look at the student's extra curricular regular basis. They often don't have the
activities, their interests and their time to familiarize themselves with
volunteer efforts. They evaluate how well highly selective colleges or colleges for
the student communicates through their the student with particular needs.
essays and often how the student presents Given the many issues that must be
themselves in the interview process. The examined in finding the right college,
college consultant knows how to help the and the costs involved, it is not
student effectively communicate who they surprising that it is common for students
are to the college admissions office. at top colleges to use a private
However, it is not just top students that consultant to help them find the right
need help finding the right college. college.






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