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High school counselors spend an average of 23 minutes working with their college-bound students on the college search and planning process. Most high school counselors work with more than 350 students. Few high school counselors are able to visit colleges or attend national conferences because their schools do not have the budget for them to do so. Applying to college can be a very stressful experience. The whole process has changed dramatically in the last twenty years. Most parents do not have the time or knowledge to serve as an effective college guide for their teenager. What’s a family to do? Many are turning to educational consultants for help. They have the expertise to assist college-bound students with the college search and application process. They also have the passion and the time. Here are nine reasons why an educational consultant can make a difference for your college-bound student. 1. They are experts in the college admission process and visit colleges and universities extensively every year to determine the unique qualities in each school. They are not relying on what a book or college representative might say, but have a good look at a school from their own objective viewpoint. 2. They help students with the college search and are not just interested in brand name schools, but want to find colleges that fit your student’s academic and personal needs. Students need to look beyond the school names they are familiar with and consider colleges that may be less known “hidden gems.” 3. They do not have an emotional attachment to your child and this allows them to provide unbiased, professional advice. It is often difficult to be objective when you are working with your own child and this can lead to family frustration. 4. They get to know students on a personal basis which enables them to help students become stronger college applicants. They take the time to find out what is important to a student and what they are looking for in a college experience. This helps in the college search and throughout the application process. 5. They provide direction for students on their applications and essays. They read and review the applications and essays and offer suggestions to improve them if necessary. They set up a schedule so that students are adhering to application and scholarship deadlines set by both their high school and colleges. 6. They assist students and families in finding schools that are affordable. They also provide information on financial aid and scholarships. They know the colleges that are more generous with financial aid and scholarships and encourage students to include a few of these on their college list if they are the right fit. 7. They are not limited in the number of hours they can work with students. This allows them to be available when students need them, with the answers they need. College counseling is their job and they are not distracted by other responsibilities. 8. They want to help students find colleges that are committed to seeing their students graduate in four years, rather than the usual five, six or more. This can save parents a considerable amount of money. Most parents would be surprised to see the low four year graduation rate at many schools. 9. They are members of professional organizations like the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) and attend state and national conferences to continue their professional development. A college education is one of the most expensive investments a family will make. It should be obvious that more time and thought needs to go into the college search and admission process. Most educational consultants charge affordable fees and are very generous with their time. Many families believe that hiring an educational consultant is the best investment they have made order essay
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