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How can an independent college counselor help your student? ~ julie Manhan

Independent college counselors are a relatively recent addition to the landscape of college admissions. The steadily increasing workloads of high school counselors has made it more and more difficult for them to give students the kind of personalized help with college selection and applications that many students need. Independent counselors are there to fill in some of the gaps that tremendously overworked high school counselors just don’t have the time to address.

In case you’re wondering, independent counselors are not just for students headed to the Ivy League. They work with students with a wide variety of abilities, academic credentials and aspirations. From students with learning differences to talented dancers, independent counselors help a wide variety of students find the schools and programs that will be the best fit for them.

Many independent counselors, like me, also help students focus on the best topic for their college essay as well as proofreading students’ essays and applications. One of the most common reasons I hear from parents for hiring independent counselors is to avoid conflicts at home over getting things done on time for colleges. However, I would say that one of the most useful services I provide for parents is being able to answer their questions about college-related issues. This has helped many parents and students avoid what could have been costly mistakes?

So, how much does it cost to hire an independent counselor? The good news is that you live in an area where the costs for services are pretty reasonable. (The incredibly expensive independent counselors you may have heard of in the press are generally located on the East Coast.) So chances are that there’s one in the area who offers services that are within your price range. Don’t be afraid to talk to them about payment plans or reduced fees either as many counselors, like myself, are willing to try to work out ways to make their services affordable.

How do you find an independent college counselor? Most people find them by referral, but you can also go to the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) website to find one in your area. The important thing is to make sure that the counselor you choose belongs to one of the following: HECA, IECA, or NACAC. Members of these organizations are required to have a certain level of expertise and are held to a stringent code of ethics.

When should my student start working with an independent counselor? Ideally, a student will start meeting with an independent counselor by January of their junior year. However, a few counselors like myself, are glad to work with seniors.