<p>I have an 11th grader who has decided on 4 colleges she’ll apply to next fall. Input from me isn’t usually very welcome (grin) so I’m going to pay someone to do the cajoling, nagging, etc to guide the application process. There are many consultants in the SF Bay Area, but I’m wondering about the selection process. In business, when seeking a consultant, I don’t expect to pay for their time for an interview or proposal. Is that standard in this branch of consulting or should I expect to pay for an hour to decide if it’s a good fit?
Thanks</p>
<p>You should expect to pay for any appointment time that you schedule with a counselor.</p>
<p>That said, be sure to thoroughly screen the counselor on the telephone prior to setting up any appointments. Make sure that you both have the same philosophy and expectations throughout the process before booking a meeting.</p>
<p>Be clear regarding what you are looking for.
Here are some questions that you might ask yourself (and them):
Are you hiring someone to add to your knowledge of possible schools?
Are you looking simply for someone to remind you about which elements are due and when? Do you need help with FinAid and/or scholarships?
Does the counselor charge by the hour or is it a package rate? What are the rates? How many hours do they anticipate that you may need, given your projected circumstances? How would they approach your need for reminders? Do they have references that you can speak with locally? </p>
<p>Then think - did you like how this personal communicated? Were they clear and to the point? Are they certified? Are they a member in good standing of the NACAC? How long have they been doing this work? Did you get a feel for their college admission knowledge level? </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>