The college admissions landscape has changed dramatically over the last decade—confronted by shifting testing policies, swelling applicant pools, the end of affirmative action, debates over legacy status, and increasing pressure for student specialization, many parents realize that they need expert support to help their children through the application process. Yet, some wonder whether hiring a private admissions consultant is really necessary if their student has the built-in support of their school’s college counselor. Particularly for those whose students attend prestigious private high schools, it may be easy to assume that institutional resources are sufficient—but all too often, families realize that this is not the case late in the admissions process.
While school college counselors offer helpful resources for students, here are three reasons that families should consider supplementing school support with a private admissions consultant:
1. School Counselors are Often Overextended
In most high schools, the average student-to-counselor ratio is significantly imbalanced—the national average is 350:1, and this ratio is often higher at large public schools. Additionally, counselors are often spread thin, juggling responsibilities such as scheduling classes, helping students with course selection, arranging college fairs, and writing recommendations—all on top of managing the college admissions process. This means that they simply cannot provide every student with comprehensive, in-depth, or personalized advice when it comes to college admissions advising.
Yet, in an admissions landscape that is predicated upon a students’ individuality and creativity, this kind of 1:1 support is absolutely essential.
This is where a private college consultant comes in: while a school counselor may be able to provide generalized feedback and guidance (particularly during junior and senior years), a private college admissions consultant can guide students through every aspect of building their admissions profiles—starting as early as middle school.
2. School Counselors are Invested in Class Matriculation Data
Another key difference between school counselors and private admissions consultants is the scope of their focus. A school counselor has to balance the interests of the entire graduating class. They must consider the school’s overall matriculation profile, ensuring that students are placed in diverse institutions and that the school’s overall acceptance rate and college enrollment statistics remains strong. Because of this, college counselors may (intentionally or unintentionally) devote more time and effort to students who are likely to raise the profile of their class’ matriculation, rather than helping struggling or average students level up their college prospects.
By contrast, a private admissions consultant is exclusively invested in an individual student’s success. They have the time, the personalized methodology, and the expertise necessary to help students prepare standout applications for the most competitive schools on their list. They help students explore a wide variety of colleges based on their interests, goals, and qualifications, build an appropriately ambitious, balanced college list, and guide them to become competitive applicants.
3. School Counselors May Be Less Ambitious with their Recommendations
Because they lack the bandwidth to guide students through the process step-by-step, school counselors tend to be more conservative with the recommendations they give students. Rather than identifying what a student has the potential to accomplish in the college admissions process, they often base their recommendations around a student’s current standing (standardized test scores, transcript, leadership positions, etc.). They may suggest students apply to colleges where they have a higher likelihood of being accepted, even if these are not the student’s dream schools. For students with lofty goals—such as attending Ivy League schools or other top-tier institutions—this approach can feel limiting.
Private admissions consultants, on the other hand, are able to help students set ambitious but achievable goals and coach them through the process individually. This means that a private consultant will likely provide more ambitious recommendations for students alongside a strategic plan to raise their odds of admission to the top schools on their list. Additionally, private admissions consultants will not only select Ivy League or other top schools, but also help students identify the most prestigious programs that are both in their area of interest and that align with their unique personalities and values.
While school counselors are invaluable resources, their limited time and responsibilities to an entire class can prevent them from offering the specialized, individualized support that students need in the current admissions climate. Private admissions consultants fill this gap, providing the focused, strategic advice necessary for students who want to level up their college admissions prospects. For families looking for in-depth guidance and a competitive edge in the college admissions process, investing in a private admissions consultant can make all the difference for their student’s odds of acceptance at their dream school.
To learn more about how to select the right college consultant for your family, check out Command Education’s comprehensive guide!
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