While it is fine to discuss elsewhere whether high school guidance counselors are providing enough expertise in this area, that is not what the OP asked. I think no one would argue that the quality and availability of high school guidance counseling in general and for college admissions advice in particular varies widely and wildly across the country. That’s a completely different discussion as far as how widespread the problem is and what to do about it. But it is a fact that it is the case and so only impacts this discussion to the extent of how much the existence of that situation at any given school would impact the decision to hire from the outside. We cannot know what it is like at the OP’s school. So let’s focus on discussion of when a consultant might be useful and when they might be a waste of money. And as always, avoid getting personal.