<p>My kids are going to college despite the GCs. They do not advise anyone on schools unless they are a big state school, and even then it is not whether it’s a good choice or if something would be better, it’s about deadlines and what is needed. One of my kids is fairly high up in her class, but not one recommendation of where to go, which tests to sign up for, public or private, not even which classes to take in high school. The GC focus on high school, tests, absences, discipline, not where to go to college or how to pay for it. One student is is going to the big state college asked if there were any scholarships she could apply for, and the GC said “check the website.” Here’s a kid looking for help and gets none. I wish they’d just tell the parents that there will be no help, but that if we wanted to get ideas from other parents, the resource room could be open one night a week (or even a month!).</p>
<p>I understand they don’t have time, but then make it clear that there will be NO help except sending transcripts. No advice on colleges, no info on scholarships, no heads up on deadlines. I’ve been to two group meetings about college and no schools except the two big state flagships were ever mentioned. No one said to take a tour, how to take a tour, when would be a good time. Everyone is on his own.</p>
<p>The “no time” excuse only really works in regards to individual attention/advice. Info that applies to - say - the top 10-20% of the school should be known and passed out to both students and parents via “college night meetings” and emails with attention-getting subject titles. This is so boilerplate that there’s just no excuse except that they have relied on the “we’re too busy” answer as a justification for not doing their job.</p>
<p>As a general feeling, my regard for high school counselors is not that high. However, I am fully aware of the constraints with which they are working. As I said in earlier posts, my kids, not a one of them got any info on full ride merit awards. Not a bit. Nor do the other kids there. The very knowledge of Alabama’s scholarships is zip here. My friend’s son went there, but it was a college he stuck on his list with no idea of awards. Even the national merit kids here aren’t shown the schools where they can get full tuition or other hefty awards. In another thread here, there’s a kid who had no idea that some of the very schools he applied to can give him some huge awards because he is a finalist, but he has to do some and do it quickly to get them. No idea. </p>
<p>So though I agree that the OP’s counselor is a bottom feeder even among his breed, that he didn’t show him the high merit award schools is not surprising I doubt he knows them. It’s Uof I or some other local privates around here. Can’t pay, don’t push it or parents get made, so steer them to the comm college that is cheap and easy. Job done. Illinois’s state colleges are a disgrace anyways with what the charge for instaters, something that has happened in the last 20 years or so. They used to be wonderful deals. </p>