Surprising advice from a College Counselor...not every family needs one

Yes, I said it. Not every family needs the help of a College Counselor or Advisor. In fact, I would say most families can handle the process on their own. Sure, there is a lot to manage, but families with the time and resources necessary can do it and come out relatively unscathed.

However, there are many circumstances where hiring a College Counselor can be very beneficial. I've never worked with a family who said, "eh, we could have done it on our own." I always hear, "Thank you, we couldn't have done it without you." So if you are thinking about hiring a College Counselor, it's worth looking into because it can be extremely helpful.

Here are some scenarios in which hiring a College Counselor might make sense for a family:

Breakdown in Communication

There is a lot of communication that needs to happen between parents and their college-bound child in order for the process to go smoothly. And let's face it, between work, school, sports, hobbies, homework, etc. families can find it difficult just to find the time to communicate effectively. There are many complex and sometimes sensitive issues that the college process can bring up for families. If you are having trouble communicating with your child about the college process, a professional College Counseling Expert can be a huge help.

Differing Goals and Expectations

Oftentimes, parents have particular goals for their children the entire time they are growing up: "Johny will attend my alma mater," or "Julie will go to school for Business." Well, when these goals don't align with what the student wants, it can be difficult for both parties. Seeing eye-to-eye on these factors isn't always easy. Also, parents may have different financial expectations regarding how much they can afford for their child's college. And, a student may want to apply to one college, whereas the parents want them to apply to 20 (obviously this is an exaggeration...usually). When goals and expectations don't align, it's time to ask for help.

The Student Needs Some Motivation

Time is a challenge for most families, in that, there isn't enough of it. If a student is dragging their heels in regard to the college process, or just isn't getting the "work" (yes, college applications are work) done, scheduling a regular time with a Counselor can help. Often times I will see students once a week, or once a month, until all essays and applications are completed. A College Specialist can also light a fire under a particularly under-motivated younger student. We can let sophomores or juniors know what will be expected of them to be able to be accepted to the colleges that they strive to get in to.

These are just a few of the reasons families hire College Counselors. Again, not every family needs one. But if you think it could help you, it probably could. I would be happy to discuss my services with you and share stories of happy clients who are more than thrilled they had me to help.