With Ivy Leagues acceptance rates in the single digits, it’s no secret that college admissions are ultra-competitive. That’s why students and their parents are devoting even more resources towards college preparation — often in the form of hiring a college counselor.
While high school guidance counselors are a valuable resource for students, these professionals are often tasked with a large caseload of students. As a result, they cannot always devote the level of attention a student may need to reach all of their college-related goals. This is where college admissions counselors come in.
In addition to knowing how to get into an Ivy League, college admissions counselors can help students find the right college for them, as well as propose effective college application strategies. In this article, we will discuss what makes a good college counselor, what professionals are charging, and what kinds of services may be available to you.
College counselors teach students what to expect from the college application process so that they are able to complete their application materials with greater insight into the admissions process.
These professionals may be former admissions officers, graduates of prestigious universities, or people with professional backgrounds in counseling and/or education. Depending on the specific college counselor you are working with, they may be a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), and/or the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
When working with a college counselor, the list of services they provide may vary. Still, essentially, the goal of a college counselor is to help students articulate their goals and learn to speak confidently about their academic and extracurricular abilities. A college consultant should not directly prepare college application materials but rather mentor and guide students so that they become capable of writing compelling personal statements, succeeding in their college interviews, and creating thoughtful college lists according to a clear set of values and criteria.
So, what does a college consultant do? And when should you get a college counselor? It all depends on your goals and financial resources. Some students work with college counselors as early as their freshman year of college, whereas other students will only work with a college counselor for a few hours during their senior year.
For students working with college counselors over the course of several years, a college counselor may help you choose your class schedule, decide which extracurricular activities to focus on, and suggest pre-college summer programs that could help you meet your academic goals. They may also double as an SAT tutor or help you design an SAT study plan and schedule.
Most students, however, will not begin working with a college consultant until they are preparing their college applications. But what exactly do college counselors do, and do you really need a private college counselor?
College counselors often work with dedicated students intent on attending a highly-selective college or university, such as an Ivy League. As you probably know, Ivy League colleges are incredibly difficult to get into, regardless of how qualified of a student you may be. A college counselor knows all of the ins and outs of the college admissions process and may even have personal connections with a number of elite institutions. A college counselor will use these resources, along with their expertise, to help you create a college application that is memorable and compelling.
Depending on your specific goals and needs, a college counselor may:
There are countless college counseling and guidance services to choose from, so how do you decide who to hire? And once you decide, are college consultants really worth it?
There are lots of factors to consider when hiring a college counselor, including their credentials, their teaching style, their personal and professional connections, and their pricing model. The most important factor to consider, however, is whether or not they are a good fit — this applies to their interests, their niche, and their overall personality. In order to find a college admissions counselor who’s a good fit, come up with a list of Questions to Ask a College Counselor Before Hiring One.
You will also want to make sure that the college counselor you hire has had a background check and that you complete a thorough internet search on them. This will be especially important if they are working as an individual consultant.
College consultants may work independently or as an employee of a larger company. Depending on their business model, they may charge hourly or offer larger “package deals.” College counseling prices vary, but it is never cheap.
But how much do private college counselors charge exactly?
According to the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), as of 2017, college admissions consultants charged an average rate of $200 an hour. Furthermore, according to US News: “ A quarter of consultants charge more than $200 per hour while 15 percent charge less. Comprehensive package fees can range from a low of $850 up to a high of $10,000.”
That said, some college counselors do pro bono work. There are also lots of valuable college admissions resources available for free, such as those listed on the IECA website.
Now that we’ve talked numbers, is college admissions counseling worth it? College counseling can be a significant financial investment for sure, but for many families, it is worth it — especially when they consider the cost of attending college. Hiring a college admissions consultant could help a student gain the competitive edge that they need to get into their top school. That said, college counselors cannot make promises.
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Prepory college admissions coaches hail from the nation’s top colleges and universities, including Harvard, Duke, and Columbia. When you work with our team, you receive the most strategic college guidance with a personable and professional touch. Our coaches are relatable, approachable, and invested in your success. Reach out to learn more about our services and how we can help you gain admission to some of the top schools in the country!
College admissions are ultra-competitive, leading many students and parents to invest in college counseling. Explore the benefits, costs, and services offered by college admissions counselors, and learn how they can help students gain a competitive edge in the application process.
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High school juniors advice: 10 tips for 11th graders on how to succeed during your junior year of high school. Prepare for your most important year by staying organized!
If you are looking for the best ways to survive junior year, you’ve come to the right place! Knowing how to survive junior year is crucial because junior year is the year colleges determine whether or not you are prepared for college-level classes. This is why we’ve assembled a list of 10 tips for junior year that will help you thrive as you prepare for a seamless transition into college. That said, follow this guide to learn why junior year is important and how to prepare for junior year.
You may be asking yourself, “Is junior year hard?” or “What should I expect of my junior year?”. We’re here to answer all of your questions. Junior year of high school is the year your grades are going to matter the most. Without a doubt, it’ll be your busiest year of high school, as well as your most important year of high school, primarily because you’ll be preparing for college.
If you’re interested in not only knowing how to pass junior year but how to thrive during your junior year, consider some of the following tips:
During your junior year of high school, your grades are going to be extremely important. Colleges will be on the lookout for how capable you are during this particular year. Having impressive grades, especially in advanced classes, is what will be most important to college admissions. This is why junior year is so hard and why it’s important to focus on your high school GPA.
On a related note, many students find themselves wondering: Should I take AP classes junior year? And how many AP classes should I take junior year? If you have similar concerns, review our article on the importance of course rigor in your college admission narrative.
Consider taking on advanced-level classes as you go into your junior year. But if you start to notice your grades slipping, ask for help. Your grades are extremely important and your teachers are accessible for the questions you may have about assignments. Use that to your advantage. Impress your teachers and potential colleges with the hard work and dedication you’re putting in.
Another way you can achieve a successful year of grades is by staying organized. Have a calendar or planner designated to the dates you have tested and when you need to turn in assignments. This is also a good place to keep track of your college application deadlines.
If you want to know how many AP classes to take junior year, review our complete list of AP classes with passing rates. In general, students with plans to apply to highly-selective schools should aim to take between 4 and 8 AP classes. If you have other questions about how many AP classes to take in high school, ask your teachers and high school guidance counselor to help you design a manageable course load.
It’s important to take advantage of the AP classes that your high school offers and to take courses you are genuinely interested in. So if you’re wondering, what classes should I take junior year?, consider taking several advanced-level classes. And remember, your grades are extremely important, so approach your teachers with any questions you may have about your assignments.
Why is junior year so important? In short, this is the year you’ll start researching and making decisions about college. In other words, now is the time to learn how to research colleges effectively and to start planning college tours over the summer. If you need help knowing how to find the right college for you, reach out to your high school guidance counselor for further insight.
A great way to impress college admissions is through your involvement with extracurricular activities, especially if you are able to take on leadership roles and responsibilities. In fact, knowing how to demonstrate leadership skills in high school may be key in helping you attend the college of your dreams.
Regardless of your interests, rest assured there is an extracurricular activity out there for you! Reach out to your high school guidance counselor to see what opportunities may be available to you. You could be participating in anything — from sports to Model UN to drama performances. You’ll also want to keep in mind that colleges value students who participate in volunteer opportunities as well.
Whether you are a competitive person or you like expressing yourself, there is an extracurricular activity out there for you! Contact the admissions office at your high school to see what opportunities you would be able to take advantage of. You could be participating in anything from sports to drama performances. Colleges also like students who participate in community services, so keep that in mind as well when you’re searching for extracurricular activities.
Learn how to keep track of deadlines and prioritize your time. Get an agenda book and write down all of your assignments, along with their due dates. Tips on staying organized in high school can include some of the most valuable advice for juniors. Next year, you’ll need to keep track of a lot of college application materials and deadlines. This is why it’s important to try to learn good organizational skills early.
You may be wondering, why is junior year so stressful? Well, one of the primary reasons has to do with standardized tests. Junior year is a big year for standardized exams. This is the year that you take the PSAT, SAT, SAT subject tests, ACT, and oftentimes, several AP exams.
Let’s start with the PSAT. Essentially the PSAT is a practice test for the SAT and is one of the best ways to prepare for the SAT. What most students don’t know is that once they take the SAT, it automatically qualifies them for the chance to get the National Merit Scholarship
Now, let’s talk about AP tests: These are high-level tests you can use to your advantage if you score well. Just like studying for the SAT, you will have to put time aside to study for your AP tests. These rigorous courses are paired with equally difficult tests, so make sure you are absorbing information and studying the material as well.
And, of course, you’ll want to schedule your SAT/ACT exam as soon as you are able. Review upcoming SAT and ACT test dates so that you can plan ahead and come up with your ideal SAT study plan and schedule.
If there is any advice that we can give to 10th-grade students that are going into 11th grade, it’s don’t procrastinate. Get all of your work done on time. In fact, this is great advice for high schoolers in general. After all, it’s harder to make up assignments than to just do them when they are expected of you. Since you are going into your third year of high school, stay organized and don’t slack on deadlines.
One of the keys to knowing how to get through junior year is to learn how to balance your academics with your social life. After all, junior year is the year you prove that you are ready for the real world and deserve to go to college. While this may seem like a lot of pressure, it’s important that you balance your life out.
With school, extracurriculars, and community service, you are still going to need time for yourself and for fun. Thinking about the future and enjoying the moment can be difficult and overwhelming. It’s important to rest and get a good amount of sleep. You may find yourself becoming stressed out as the school year goes on. Just remind yourself to slow down and rest.
There are lots of junior year tips to keep in mind during the school year, but what about during the summer? If you want to know what you should be doing the summer before your senior year, you may want to consider attending a pre-college summer program or designing a high school passion project.
Pre-college summer programs offer endless opportunities in a wide variety of subjects. If you’re interested in learning more about them, review our article, Breaking Down Pre-College Summer Programs. That said, regardless of your specific plans, the most important thing is to use your summer meaningfully and productively.
It’s no secret that attending college is a huge financial commitment. This is why you should take the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion with your parents about the financial realities of college. Engage in financial planning for college as soon as you are able and familiarize yourself with the FAFSA. You’ll also want to know what to expect from your financial aid package and review how to write an essay for scholarships.
Freshman year and sophomore year were gearing you for the advancement of your last years in high school. Your senior year is supposed to be a little more relaxed compared to your junior year. Although as high school students you are going to need to think about what your college years are going to look like. This may involve using a checklist of everything that you need to accomplish in your junior year.
To prepare for your first year of college we suggest completing this checklist in your junior year:
In conclusion, if you want to achieve a successful junior year in high school, it is recommended that you stay organized. To embark on a successful junior year of high school, you are also going to need to stay on top of your assignments and participate in as many activities as possible. Don’t forget to study hard and, most importantly, enjoy the moment! Your enrollment into college is important, so make all of your studies count! If you have questions or concerns about your college applications, reach out to learn about our college counseling services.
