Benefits of a Private College Counselor

Applying to college is such an exciting time for high school students! But as admission to
colleges and universities becomes more complicated as well as far more competitive, many
families consider hiring a private college counselor to help guide them through the process. Is it necessary? Is it worth the extra cost? Let’s take a closer look.

Most high schools have counselors who help ensure that students are taking the necessary courses that they need for college admission. They also assist during the application process by helping to submit required high school documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation. Some will meet individually with students to help with their college choices and future planning. The reality is, however, that one or two college counselors at a school will be working with perhaps hundreds of students each year. Even at private schools, counselors are divided amongst many students. Synergy Academics College Counselor Paula Friedman explains, “An independent college counselor offers a greater level of support than your student’s school counselor can provide. The average caseload of a California public school counselor is around 600 to 1.”

Finding the right private counselor is highly important. Many receive their clients through recommendations and/or repeat business within families. Some counselors have learned their trade from years of experience in the field and/or working as a counselor at a high school. Some have returned to school to learn more about the field, such as through the UCLA Extension College Counseling Certificate program. Many independent counselors are also members of professional organizations such as Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) or the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) to name a couple. Regardless, you will want to ensure that the person you hire has experience in the field and is a good fit for your student.

Families who work with an independent college counselor overwhelmingly believe the investment is well worthwhile and that it relieves much of the stress of the college application process. In addition to having a greater understanding of the process, counselors also work directly with students, thereby removing a great deal of the conflict that may arise between parents and their students during the process. They become the neutral party assisting the student and parents!

Here are some other reasons to consider hiring a private college counselor:

• Developing a list of colleges/universities to apply to​: Counselors will work with your students to understand what their educational goals are, whether they know what career direction they are aspiring to, and what type of school they want to attend (big/small, private/public, in or out of state, etc.). Additionally, in reviewing students’ academic records (GPA, courses taken, standardized test scores), counselors can make sure students have a realistic expectation of which schools they can be expected to be admitted to and which might be a reach. Developing a list that is a mixture of “safe” schools as well as ambitious and even “reach” schools helps to ensure that students will have realistic expectations and will successfully gain admission to one or more schools that they are excited about. Independent college counselors often make it a point to visit colleges and universities throughout the country so will have detailed information about many schools. Synergy Counselor Beverly Brutzkus notes, “Staying current on the constantly changing trends in the college admissions process is important to me. In the past few years, I have visited dozens of colleges and universities and met with admissions officers. Additionally, by attending professional conferences, seminars, webinars and college fairs, I am able to maintain my professional competency and establish contacts with other college consulting professionals.”
• Navigating the application process​: Many families start working with a private college counselor during the student’s junior year, sometimes even as early as at the start of the sophomore year. Early intervention in the process ensures that students are on the right path, taking the necessary courses, and are aware of other elements of the college application such as extracurricular activities and community service. Once the application process begins in earnest, the counselor is invaluable in making sure that your student is on top of all the details and deadlines. These include getting required letters of recommendation, preparing for and taking standardized tests, correctly and completely filling out applications, and developing compelling, effective college application essays. A testimonial from one of Synergy Counselor Jodi Sears’ students notes that “with the guidance, support and dedication that Jodi brings, along with her insight, experience, and deep understanding, the seemingly overwhelming college process became a pleasant and exciting one!”
• Writing college application essays​: Most students will agree that the most challenging part of college applications is the essays. Many colleges require anywhere from one to several essays. Some of these writing pieces call for introspection about personal journeys or life experiences while others ask why the student believes he or she belongs at that school. Independent counselors will help your student discover relevant and interesting topics to write about and will ensure that the essays are well written without over-editing. One parent testimonial explains, “in editing my daughter’s essays, Paula was at her best. She was careful to ensure that my daughter’s voice continued to come through and she was mindful not to change words where it would be apparent that an adult had taken part in the writing.”
• Receiving help with financial aid​: College is expensive. Moreover, with the increasing competition, gaining admittance to highly regarded public universities, which generally cost less than private schools, has gotten more difficult each year. However, there is financial aid available for students, based on merit and/or need. Many independent college counselors can provide families with information about scholarships, aid and loans. Some counselors specialize in assisting students fill out forms such as FAFSA and the CSS/Financial Aid Profile that are required for students hoping to receive financial aid. Our College Counselor Debbie Goldstein, who also specializes in assisting families with financial aid notes, “​ our knowledge and expertise of the federal laws and institutional guidelines allows us to appropriately guide families through a convoluted and evasive process. This ensures the student receives the best financial aid award legally possible.”

There is a financial cost to hiring an independent college counselor. However, given that college itself is a major financial investment, many parents want to ensure that their students are able to put their best selves forward in their applications and that the process is organized, comprehensive, and as free of anxiety as possible. Some counselors charge by the hour while others have packages that include a certain number of hours or specific services. Whether you want to have a counselor walk you through the whole process or you just need help with certain aspects, such as writing college application essays or applying for financial aid, it’s definitely worthwhile to explore the idea of hiring a private counselor. Read ​ here​ for more information on our college counseling services and ​​ here​ to learn about our financial aid services.