Independent College Counselors

Our business is helping students and their families through the maze of college admissions. We love our work.

There have been several recent web based articles about the relationships between families and independent college counselors. In this blog, I'll talk about why we believe families benefit from working with private admissions counselors and then highlight two additional pieces, one on how to find a consultant, and the other on how to evaluate the quality of a consultant. Lastly, I'll provide a link to the IECA list of suggested questions to ask a college consultant before you retain their services.

The success rate of college students in the United States shocks many people. The fact that 25% of all freshmen fail to return to the college where they enthusiastically enrolled as freshmen causes problems for students, families and for colleges. Top educational consultants eliminate the gap between what students expect at college, and what college is really like, therefore maximizing their success. Instead of just identifying colleges where a student can "get in", a good consultant finds colleges from which a student is likely to graduate.

Colleges differ from one another in many ways. Students and parents need factual information about those differences. The facts may not coincide with their assumptions. Finding colleges where students can thrive and succeed is key to student success and to a consultant's success.

A college education is a major financial investment. Few families make large financial investments without guidance from qualified, ethical professionals. Top educational consultants have experience, commitment to professional development, and membership in organizations that pride themselves on vetting top-notch, ethical professionals: IECA, HECA and AICEP.

The higher education correspondent at MPR recently provided guidance to families on how to go about locating an independent college counselor. Read what Alex Friedrich suggests.

Lynn O'Shaughnessy spoke with three prominent college consultants, members of IECA and HECA, recently and had this to say about how to select a college counselor.

Here's the list of questions IECA suggests you ask prospective consultants.

Solving the College Admissions Puzzle - Seminar

Parents have lots of questions about college admissions and how to best help their teen find and apply to the right set of colleges. You can search the internet, read blogs, watch TV shows, listen to your friends and neighbors, and still have questions specific to your situation. You want the personal attention of an experienced college counselor.

Valerie Broughton and Donna Kelly, College Connectors consultants, are presenting a workshop for parents on June 23 at Hopkins High School at 7:00. The workshop will address a complete array of issues that concern families as they approach the college admissions and application tasks: admissions tests, references, essays, choosing the right college, and high school curricular decisions. The seminar is free and in conjunction with an opportunity for your teen to take a PSAT/SAT/ACT practice test. There will be a follow-up session the next week, June 30, focusing on the Top 10 - What Colleges look for in Applicants and College Scholarships and Financial Aid.

Here's more information on the seminar series. Get your questions ready.

See you Wednesday night!