Why Hiring a Private College Consultant Makes Sense... And Can Also Save Money

Four years of college at many private collegesgraduation rates less than 50%. These students often
currently costs between $180,000 and $200,000.need help to find a college that can help the student
For many students the work to find the right collegelearn and yet graduate in a reasonable period of time.
often creates stress for both the student and theirAnother group of students that often benefit from the
parents. The student is trying to balance the collegehelp of a private college consultant are those with
search with homework, extracurricular activities,unusual circumstances. Students with special needs
friendships and just being a teenager. Finding the rightand learning disabilities need to find colleges that have
balance can be difficult. At the same time, parentscertain resources not available at all colleges. Home
worry about ensuring the best future for their child andschooled students can also benefit from an
put additional pressure on the student when they leastexperienced private consultant. Many colleges are
need it.unsure how to evaluate a student without traditional
Working with a consultant can take some of thatgrades and this can put home schooled students at a
pressure away. A good consultant can take a stepdisadvantage. A college consultant can work with the
back and help the student address those issuesstudent to communicate their strongest qualities in a
related to the college search process without being away that the colleges will understand.
nagging parent. Parents are left to provide the nurturingMany students rely on high school guidance counselors
they can do best.to help them in the search for the right college. Some
A private college consultant can also help tostudents are fortunate to have an experienced college
understand what is needed to gain admission toguidance counselor with whom to work. Even these
colleges as they have become more selective. Evenhard working professionals, however, do not have the
those schools once considered safety schools bytime to work one on one with those students who
many students have gotten more selective in theirwant such support.
admissions and can no longer be considered safetyMore commonly, many guidance counselors just don't
schools.have the time to spend helping each student with the
The days are gone when high grades and test scorescollege search process. With an average ratio of
alone could guarantee admission to many colleges.almost 500 students for each counselor, many high
Colleges now look at the student's extra curricularschool counselors can't take the time to help students
activities, their interests and their volunteer efforts.with individualized college counseling. Because of time
They evaluate how well the student communicatesconstraints it is not uncommon that many of these
through their essays and often how the studentbusy counselors only know about in state schools that
presents themselves in the interview process. Thethey deal with on a regular basis. They often don't
college consultant knows how to help the studenthave the time to familiarize themselves with highly
effectively communicate who they are to the collegeselective colleges or colleges for the student with
admissions office.particular needs.
However, it is not just top students that need helpGiven the many issues that must be examined in
finding the right college. Finding the right college for thefinding the right college, and the costs involved, it is not
less competitive student is just as important. Many lesssurprising that it is common for students at top
competitive colleges have higher drop out rates andcolleges to use a private consultant to help them find
lower graduation rates than some of the well knownthe right college.
colleges. It is common to find colleges with four year