How Do I Choose a College Admission Consultant?

Speaker 1:

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.

How Do I Choose a College Admission Consultant?

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