<p>D2 moved to a new school this year where there is only one GC for 180 students. We ended up hiring a private college counselor for her. Before we hired one, for me there was a lot of myth about what they could do and what they did for advisees. But I found a lot of what I have read or heard were untrue.</p>
<p>We engaged the counselor end of D2´s sophomore year. At our first meeting, the counselor listened to what she wanted to study in college, and kind of schools she wanted to get into (location, ranking, size…). He also asked us what we wanted for D2. He then looked at d2´s ECs, got feedback from her as to what´s most important to her. Based on 2 hours questionaires, D2 was given advice on what classes to take and what ECs to focus on. As an example, she is doing a full IB program, she was tested into HL math, but she is more of a humanties student. She was advised to do SL math, but take HL English, history and Spanish. D2 asked if she needed to take AP tests if she was doing full IB. No one at school could answer that for her, but her counselor was able to advise her (and it wasn´t a straight yes or no).</p>
<p>In the last year, as we got more data point (her GPA and SAT scores), they came up with a short list of schools for D2. There were no surprises except for high reaches. They believed D2 had a shot at some of those reaches that D2 didn´t think she had. We got a break down of which schools to visit and which schools she needed to audition for ballet (as an additional hook).</p>
<p>The firm we are working with has no pull with any colleges, but they are very familiar with many colleges´process through their previous experience. They are not heavy handed with us, but more of a good sounding board and a good way to keep D2 focused on things she needs to get done (SAT testing, summer program applications, recommendation letters). Whenever D2 and us have a difference of opinion, she would ask her counselor, and it would take away a lot of stress (disagreement) we may have.</p>
<p>Many services I have listed were provided by our kids´previous private school for free (except for the hefty tuition). I was a bit skeptical initially (due to many bad press, or over top praise of private college counselling), but I have been pleasantly surprised on how helpfull they have been.</p>
<p>A private college counselor can´t get you into a college you are not qualified for, but he/she can be more than finding best match schools for you.</p>