Hello, I want to know what your thoughts are on hiring private guidance counselors (the ones at my school have too many kids to deal with to be meaningful) and if you could recommend any in particular if you know any, thanks.
Our thoughts are “Don’t bother…read CC and you will find out almost all you need to know” 
This is a forum for “do it yourselfers” w/r/t college.
What particular aspect of your student causes you to think that a private counselor is the way to go?
Mostly for writing essays and feedback from professionals, I’m more so a math and science guy so I think the make it or break itr for me will come down to the essays. Also some claim to have connections which could help fro some of my reach schools.
Both of my kids asked a trusted English teacher to review their common application essay at the start of their senior year so you might want to try that.
IMO it is highly doubtful that any private counselor will have a connection that will get you into a college you otherwise would have been rejected from.
From other posts it looks like you will be going into your sophomore year of HS. I’d recommend you get off of CC until you are a junior. Spend the next year focused on adjusting to your new school, doing as well as you can academically, getting involved in ECs you care about, and spending time with friends and family. There will be plenty of time to worry about college admissions down the road.
Search this topic, @Pagaley12 . The question has been asked at least 100 times. It really depends on what you want from the process.
Personally, I think a GOOD private CC can be really helpful as they can help you target schools that are a good fit and they can review your app from the perspective of someone who has read several thousand and sat through hundreds of committee meetings and counsel you on whether you have portrayed yourself in a compelling manner. (Many have worked in admissions, btw. ) Of course, if you are targeting schools that admit by stats alone, that won’t do you much good…
@happy1 Thanks for the advice, I think it’s unlikely I stop researching colleges in all honesty but Ill make sure to adjust and get involved with ECs.
@gardenstategal Thanks, I’ll ,make sure to remember that if I’m ever comparing CCs
Private CC’s can sometimes add great. Consider this partial list.
- Essays
- Identifying colleges that match your child’s academic level, aptitude, and interest
- Identifying summer activities that boost your child’s application
- Outsource your pain as sometimes it’s better for both parent and child to have an unrelated third party between them