How Do I Choose a College Admission Consultant?
Okay. So like a lot of families out there, I bet you're thinking about college admissions.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's a big one. Right?
Speaker 1:Huge. We've been looking at a bunch of resources.
Speaker 2:It's incredible how much goes into picking the right college.
Speaker 1:I know. It's not just about grades and test scores anymore.
Speaker 2:Definitely not.
Speaker 1:It's about finding a place where you really fit in.
Speaker 2:Right. Academically, but personally too.
Speaker 1:Totally. And, you know, with everyone applying these days, a lot of people are looking for help
Speaker 2:Yeah. For sure.
Speaker 1:Like getting a college admissions consultant. Mhmm. And that's actually what this article is about.
Speaker 2:Oh, cool.
Speaker 1:How do I choose a college admission consultant?
Speaker 2:That's helpful.
Speaker 1:It is. It's got a lot of good stuff in here.
Speaker 2:The interesting thing is they actually start by talking about preparing for college.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow. So, like, even before you pick a consultant
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Makes sense the earlier the better, I guess.
Speaker 2:Less stressful. Right?
Speaker 1:For sure. But what does that even mean, like, preparing for college?
Speaker 2:Well, they say it's about, you know, exploring your interests.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And researching different colleges.
Speaker 1:Makes sense.
Speaker 2:Building a strong academic foundation.
Speaker 1:Oh, so it's not just about, like, cramming for tests Yeah. No. Or doing a 1,000,000 extracurriculars.
Speaker 2:Nope. It's gotta be real. You know?
Speaker 1:Genuine.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Like, finding things you're actually passionate about.
Speaker 1:That makes sense.
Speaker 2:Colleges wanna see well rounded people. You know?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Someone who knows who they are and what they want.
Speaker 1:Right. I see that makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:The article also mentions this whole idea of self reflection and goal setting. Uh-huh. Like, really thinking about what you value and what your strengths are.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's a good point.
Speaker 1:And what you actually wanna get out of college.
Speaker 2:It's like having a road map for the future.
Speaker 1:I like that analogy. So you
Speaker 2:can make better decisions about where to apply and how to present yourself.
Speaker 1:Okay. So that's all the prep work.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But now let's talk about the consultants.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:There are so many options out there.
Speaker 2:It's overwhelming for sure.
Speaker 1:It is. You've got independent consultants, agencies, full service, specialized ones, in person online.
Speaker 2:I know. It's a lot to consider.
Speaker 1:So how do you even start to narrow it down?
Speaker 2:Well, the article suggests you start with your needs and priorities.
Speaker 1:Okay. So, like, what do you actually need help with?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Exactly. Like, do you need help with the whole application or just certain parts?
Speaker 1:Like essays?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Essays or interviews.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And also think about how you prefer to communicate.
Speaker 1:In person or online?
Speaker 2:Right. Do you want regular meetings, or are you good with virtual stuff?
Speaker 1:So it really depends on the person.
Speaker 2:It does. There's no one size fits all solution.
Speaker 1:Right. You gotta find someone who gets you.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Someone who understands how you learn and how you like to communicate.
Speaker 1:And then there's the whole thing about experience and credentials.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. For sure.
Speaker 1:The article really stresses that you wanna find someone who knows what they're doing
Speaker 2:Someone with a track record.
Speaker 1:And who, like, plays by the rules. Yeah. Ethical standards
Speaker 2:just choosing any other professional.
Speaker 1:Totally. You wouldn't go to a doctor without the right training.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Same goes for a college consultant.
Speaker 2:You want someone who knows the ins and outs of admissions and who's up to date on all the latest trends.
Speaker 1:Speaking of trends, things change so fast.
Speaker 2:They
Speaker 1:do. It's reassuring that there are these professional organizations like IEC and ECAC.
Speaker 2:Oh, those are really important.
Speaker 1:They help set standards and provide resources.
Speaker 2:Both consultants and families.
Speaker 1:So that's good to look for. Right?
Speaker 2:Definitely. If a consultant is a member of one of those organizations, it's a good sign.
Speaker 1:Shows they're serious about their work.
Speaker 2:Exactly. They're committed to professional development.
Speaker 1:And they're following the rules. Right.
Speaker 2:It adds a layer of trust and accountability.
Speaker 1:Now let's talk about success rates.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:The article warns against putting too much weight on a consultant's claims about getting kids into top colleges.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's tricky.
Speaker 1:A good consultant should focus on finding the right fit for each student.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Not just chasing prestige.
Speaker 1:Right. Because there are no guarantees.
Speaker 2:Nope. It's not about buying your way in.
Speaker 1:It's about maximizing your potential.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And telling your story in a compelling way.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:That's where personalized advice and a tailored approach come in.
Speaker 1:Okay. So how do you know if a consultant's approach is truly personalized?
Speaker 2:Well, one way is to look for testimonials and case studies.
Speaker 1:Okay. Like seeing how they've helped other students.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It gives you a better
Speaker 1:sense of their effectiveness. And if their style
Speaker 2:is a good fit for you, style is a good fit for you.
Speaker 1:It's like reading online reviews before you try a new restaurant.
Speaker 2:Exactly. You wanna get a feel for what other people's experiences have been like.
Speaker 1:Right. And just like you'd read multiple reviews. You should talk to multiple consultants before choosing 1. And you should ask them questions. Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2:Tons of
Speaker 1:before choosing 1. And you should ask
Speaker 2:them questions. Oh, yeah. Tons of questions.
Speaker 1:The article has a whole list.
Speaker 2:Like what?
Speaker 1:Well, things like, what's your experience with students like me? Or how do you stay up to date on all the latest trends in admissions?
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. Those are good ones.
Speaker 1:I thought so. And what about references?
Speaker 2:Oh, definitely ask for those.
Speaker 1:Is that okay to do?
Speaker 2:Totally. The article actually recommends it.
Speaker 1:Okay. Good. Because, like, talking to past clients can really give you a sense of what's like to work with that person.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. You get a firsthand account.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It's like checking references for a job. You know?
Speaker 2:Right. You wanna make sure they're reliable.
Speaker 1:And trustworthy.
Speaker 2:Especially with something as important as college admissions.
Speaker 1:Right. You gotta be careful.
Speaker 2:Be thorough. Do your research.
Speaker 1:Speaking of research, let's talk about cost.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. That's the big one.
Speaker 1:It can be a lot.
Speaker 2:It can be. The article talks about that.
Speaker 1:They do they give some tips for handling the financial side of things.
Speaker 2:Like what?
Speaker 1:Well, first of all, be upfront about your budget Right. And understand how consultants charge.
Speaker 2:Some do hourly rates.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Others do package deals or, like, a la carte services.
Speaker 2:Just like shopping around. You know?
Speaker 1:Yeah. Compare prices, see what's included.
Speaker 2:Make sure it fits your situation.
Speaker 1:And don't be afraid to ask about payment plans or scholarships.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. That's a good point. Some consultants are flexible.
Speaker 1:They are. It's good to ask.
Speaker 2:For sure.
Speaker 1:The article also talks about the value a consultant brings.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:It's not just about the hours they put in.
Speaker 2:It's about the expertise, the guidance, the support.
Speaker 1:Exactly. They're there for you through the whole thing.
Speaker 2:Like having someone in your corner. You know?
Speaker 1:Yeah. To help you through this whole crazy process.
Speaker 2:It's an investment in your future.
Speaker 1:Right. And the article also mentions that if you can't afford a private consultant, there are other options.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. Definitely.
Speaker 1:Like free resources online.
Speaker 2:Sucks fairs.
Speaker 1:Even guidance counselors at your school.
Speaker 2:Exactly. So you have choices.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It's not all or nothing.
Speaker 2:There are ways to get help no matter what your budget is.
Speaker 1:That's good to know. I think the big takeaway here is that choosing a college consultant is a personal decision.
Speaker 2:It is, for sure.
Speaker 1:You gotta find someone you trust, someone who gets your goals.
Speaker 2:And someone who makes you feel comfortable.
Speaker 1:Totally. Like, you're working together on this
Speaker 2:It's a partnership.
Speaker 1:And the article talks about communication too.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. That's key.
Speaker 1:You want someone who listens to you, who answers your questions.
Speaker 2:It's up here on the loop.
Speaker 1:Yeah. You wanna feel like you're part of the team.
Speaker 2:Like, your input matters.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:A good consultant will make you feel heard.
Speaker 1:I think this article has been super helpful.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's given us a lot to think about.
Speaker 1:Finding the right college admissions consultant is a big decision.
Speaker 2:But it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
Speaker 1:If you do your research, ask the right questions, focus on what you need.
Speaker 2:You can find someone great.
Speaker 1:Someone who can guide you through this whole process.
Speaker 2:And help you succeed.
Speaker 1:Totally. The goal is to find a college that's right for you.
Speaker 2:A place where you can really thrive.
Speaker 1:Where you feel at home.
Speaker 2:A consultant can help you get there, but, ultimately, it's your journey.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That's a good point. So, like, be proactive. Stay informed.
Speaker 2:And trust your gut.
Speaker 1:Exactly. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Speaker 2:There's so much support out there.
Speaker 1:There is. And, you know, speaking of support, there's this platform I heard about.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. What is it?
Speaker 1:It's called College Journey.
Speaker 2:College Journey.
Speaker 1:I'm glad. Uses technology to help with the whole college admissions thing.
Speaker 2:Oh, interesting.
Speaker 1:But it's personalized too.
Speaker 2:How does that work?
Speaker 1:Well, they have this AI powered college counselor named Alice.
Speaker 2:Woah. An AI counselor. That's pretty cool.
Speaker 1:I know. Right?
Speaker 2:So what does she do?
Speaker 1:Well, basically, she analyzes your academic profile, you know, like grades and test scores.
Speaker 2:Uh-huh.
Speaker 1:And then she compares it to tons of colleges.
Speaker 2:So she, like, finds colleges that match you?
Speaker 1:Exactly. But she does more than that.
Speaker 2:Oh, like what?
Speaker 1:She can give you feedback on your essays.
Speaker 2:Oh, wow.
Speaker 1:Help you find scholarships.
Speaker 2:That's amazing.
Speaker 1:And even create a timeline to keep you on track.
Speaker 2:Wow. So it's like having a personal assistant for college.
Speaker 1:Kind of. Yeah. And what's cool is that it makes this kinda help accessible to more students.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's great because we were talking about how expensive consultants can be.
Speaker 1:I know. Right? This could be a game changer.
Speaker 2:It could. It levels the playing field.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Exactly. It gives everyone a chance.
Speaker 2:I love that.
Speaker 1:Me too. It's all about empowering students.
Speaker 2:Totally. Yeah. No matter their background.
Speaker 1:This has been a really interesting deep dive, I think.
Speaker 2:Yeah. We've covered a lot.
Speaker 1:From the benefits of consultants to the different types.
Speaker 2:Finding the right fit.
Speaker 1:Even AI.
Speaker 2:The college admissions process is definitely changing.
Speaker 1:There are more options now than ever before. For sure. So what's the biggest takeaway for our listeners?
Speaker 2:I think it's that you're not alone.
Speaker 1:That's a good one.
Speaker 2:Whether you hire a consultant, use a platform like College Journey, or do it yourself, there's help out there.
Speaker 1:You just gotta find what works for you.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:And remember, it's about finding a college that fits you, a place where you can be yourself and grow.
Speaker 2:Where you can thrive.
Speaker 1:Do your research, ask questions, and trust your gut.
Speaker 2:Don't be afraid to reach out for help.
Speaker 1:And keep an open mind. You might be surprised by what you discover.
Speaker 2:The perfect college might be one you never even thought of.
Speaker 1:That's so true. It's all a journey.
Speaker 2:It is a journey of self discovery.
Speaker 1:I like that well said. Thanks for joining us, everyone.
Speaker 2:Thanks for having me.
