Navigating the ins and outs of the college application process is a daunting prospect for many families. Not only must you keep tabs on application due dates, submissions, and making sure every requirement has been met, you’re doing it all with a teen at your side. As parents, it can be tough enough to guide teens in their college search. It becomes even tougher when your son or daughter decides to apply to multiple facilities that all have different guidelines.
This is where the advice and expertise of college admissions counselors becomes invaluable. A college admission counselor or advisor is an Independent Educational Consultant who does not work for any specific college or university or even for your local high school. These independent counselors work for you and your student to help you understand and explore your options. They help you get and stay organized and even mediate between parents and teens if necessary. Think of the college admissions counselor as a mentor; someone who has gone through the application process (many, many times) and can provide a vital third-party perspective into the process and your family’s role in it.
The Type Of Help You Can Expect From A College Admissions Counselor
College admissions advisors aren’t supposed to make your life harder. They make the application process less stressful and more productive. You can count on your advisor for help:
- Exploring your educational options.
- Navigating the college admissions process for each school at which you’re applying.
- Facilitating your progress by keeping track of due dates and deadlines.
- Mediating between parents and students to make sure both sides are heard and understood.
- Supplementing the work of your high school college counselor.
- Providing helpful feedback on admissions essays and answers to application questions.
- Sharing insider information about certain colleges and universities such as chances of admission, the culture or personality of the college, and what to expect of the college’s admissions process.
Perhaps the most important service a college admissions counselor can provide is helping the student find him or herself amid the noise and stress of the college application process. We see our job as a coach that helps students learn the admissions “game” and play by the rules to develop the skills they need to determine which college is right for them and stand out from the other applicants.
To learn more about our services and if they might be just the help you need, contact us.