What Types of Students Do You Counsel?
I work with college-bound high school students, as well as transfer students. Students come from varied backgrounds, possessing a wide range of academic records and interests. I counsel students who will attend public and private universities, as well as schools ranging from community college to Ivy League caliber.
How Does the Process Work?
College Counseling Partners typically works with students on a comprehensive basis, helping mentoring him/her through each step of the college search and application process. Every family has unique needs and schedules. I work directly with the student and family to tailor a program that works for all. I also counsel a limited number of high school and transfer students on an hourly basis.
I most often meet directly with the student and connect with parent(s) through conference calls or email, although parent and family meetings are always available. Students who live near our office often prefer face to face meetings. However, with busy schedules and the ease of technology, some students elect to add phone or Skype ’meetings’ . Email is always a frequent method of communication.
Out of state or international clients may choose to meet a couple of times face to face, with the balance of communication taking place through phone, Skype and email.
College Counseling Partners is flexible, with the goal of customizing a relationship that suits your needs.
When Should We Get Started?
Let’s get started now. Call me at any point when your student is in high school to learn how the counseling process works. Ideally, I would like to meet a student initially during sophomore or early junior year to get acquainted so I am able to answer any questions about classes or activities that might arise. More frequent college counseling meetings take place during junior and senior years.
How Do We Start?
Please call anytime to discuss your needs and College Counseling Partners’ services. Then, let’s schedule a complimentary meeting for both parent(s) and student to further explore a tailored, college counseling program.
Why hire an independent college counselor?
High school counselors have large case loads, often close to a hundred students per counselor or more, and with budget constraints the numbers are getting worse. College counseling is only one part of a high school counselor’s job, course scheduling and adjustment issues take up more and more time. Time and budget constraints make accessibility to students more challenging and travel near impossible for school counselors. On the other hand, an independent college counselor’s sole job is to provide personalized attention and high quality guidance for her clients. To be successful, she will be accessible to address your needs and answer your questions and educated and connected from visiting colleges on a regular basis. Your relationship with your high school counselor is very important; your work with your independent college counselor should make time spent with your school counselor only more productive.
Questions to ask when interviewing independent counselors:
Do you have college admissions experience? Or high school counselor experience?
How many students have you worked with, start to finish, on the college process?
What types of students do you work with?
Do you connect with other colleagues in the admissions field? What professional organizations are you affiliated with?
How long have you been in business?
What was your background prior to going into educational consulting? How has your training and education prepared you to be an independent college counselor?
How often do you get out and visit college campuses?
Do you meet with admissions representatives on campus, at conferences, or your office?
