| Why Hiring a Private College Consultant Makes | | | | finding the right college. Finding the right college for |
| Sense... And Can Also Save Money | | | | the less competitive student is just as important. |
| 08th March 2007 | | | | Many less competitive colleges have higher drop out |
| Author: Todd Johnson | | | | rates and lower graduation rates than some of the |
| Four years of college at many private colleges | | | | well known colleges. It is common to find colleges |
| currently costs between $180,000 and $200,000. | | | | with four year graduation rates less than 50%. These |
| Next to a house, college is the most expensive | | | | students often need help to find a college that can |
| purchase most people will make during their lifetime. | | | | help the student learn and yet graduate in a |
| Despite those costs, many students choose a college | | | | reasonable period of time. |
| without adequate investigation into what would be | | | | Another group of students that often benefit from |
| the best college for that student. As a result one out | | | | the help of a private college consultant are those |
| of three college students leave the college where | | | | with unusual circumstances. Students with special |
| they started and five out of ten require five or more | | | | needs and learning disabilities need to find colleges |
| years to earn their degree. With thousands of | | | | that have certain resources not available at all |
| choices, it can be difficult to find the right college for | | | | colleges. Home schooled students can also benefit |
| any student. Hiring a private college consultant can | | | | from an experienced private consultant. Many |
| help students avoid these costly mistakes by finding | | | | colleges are unsure how to evaluate a student |
| the right college the first time. | | | | without traditional grades and this can put home |
| For many students the work to find the right college | | | | schooled students at a disadvantage. A college |
| often creates stress for both the student and their | | | | consultant can work with the student to |
| parents. The student is trying to balance the college | | | | communicate their strongest qualities in a way that |
| search with homework, extracurricular activities, | | | | the colleges will understand. |
| friendships and just being a teenager. Finding the right | | | | Many students rely on high school guidance |
| balance can be difficult. At the same time, parents | | | | counselors to help them in the search for the right |
| worry about ensuring the best future for their child | | | | college. Some students are fortunate to have an |
| and put additional pressure on the student when they | | | | experienced college guidance counselor with whom to |
| least need it. | | | | work. Even these hard working professionals, |
| Working with a consultant can take some of that | | | | however, do not have the time to work one on one |
| pressure away. A good consultant can take a step | | | | with those students who want such support. |
| back and help the student address those issues | | | | More commonly, many guidance counselors just don't |
| related to the college search process without being a | | | | have the time to spend helping each student with |
| nagging parent. Parents are left to provide the | | | | the college search process. With an average ratio of |
| nurturing they can do best. | | | | almost 500 students for each counselor, many high |
| A private college consultant can also help to | | | | school counselors can't take the time to help |
| understand what is needed to gain admission to | | | | students with individualized college counseling. Because |
| colleges as they have become more selective. Even | | | | of time constraints it is not uncommon that many of |
| those schools once considered safety schools by | | | | these busy counselors only know about in state |
| many students have gotten more selective in their | | | | schools that they deal with on a regular basis. They |
| admissions and can no longer be considered safety | | | | often don't have the time to familiarize themselves |
| schools. | | | | with highly selective colleges or colleges for the |
| The days are gone when high grades and test | | | | student with particular needs. |
| scores alone could guarantee admission to many | | | | Given the many issues that must be examined in |
| colleges. Colleges now look at the student's extra | | | | finding the right college, and the costs involved, it is |
| curricular activities, their interests and their volunteer | | | | not surprising that it is common for students at top |
| efforts. They evaluate how well the student | | | | colleges to use a private consultant to help them find |
| communicates through their essays and often how | | | | the right college. |
| the student presents themselves in the interview | | | | Todd Johnson, a lawyer and college consultant, is the |
| process. The college consultant knows how to help | | | | principal college admission consultant for College |
| the student effectively communicate who they are | | | | Admissions Partners. Todd provides personalized |
| to the college admissions office. | | | | service to help students and families through the |
| However, it is not just top students that need help | | | | complete college admissions and financial aid process. |