College and graduate school planning are both very serious business.
Students are anxious stressed about selecting colleges to apply to and making it through the application process.
Parents are anxious stressed about a myriad of different issues: whether their daughter or son will be admitted to the college they’ve set their hearts on, whether their financial aid offer will meet their needs, and managing differing admissions policies, and a multitude of essays, dates and deadlines.
Where School Counselors Fit In
Your first stop in the application process should be to your school counselor. If you’re applying to college for the first time, your high school counselor fills a number of important roles to get your started along your admissions journey. They are able to provide:
- Advice on appropriate coursework
- Distribute information on entrance exam deadlines and college fairs
- Maintain school and testing records
- Transcript preparation and recommendation
- Field information requests from colleges, such as first semester senior year grades
However, not to scare anyone, but high school counselors who have time and availability to meet extensively with students are becoming somewhat of a rarity. According to a survey conducted by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, almost half of counselors (54%) reported spending less than 20% of their time working with students on college readiness, selection, and applications [1]. They juggle other job functions, such as individual counseling, testing and assessments, behavior management, and crisis intervention. Another sad reality is that many school districts have cut the number of counselors advising on college admissions.
Colleges, on the other hand, vary in the type of on-campus assistance available to support students who seek admission to graduate or professional programs. There may or may not be a dedicated office or counselor to schedule an appointment with. Your best bets are to check with the Career Center (if your campus has one) or schedule time to chat with a trusted professor. Be forewarned – college professors are often juggling a multiple of different job responsibilities and commitments, so do your homework first, and ask pointed questions for advice.
Where do students turn when they’re in need of more detailed, personalized advice, feedback, or hands-on assistance? This is where the independent educational consultant steps in….
