College Admissions Consulting Are College Admissions Consultants Worth It? Top 5 Ways They Can Help Written by College Coach Guest Authoron March 28th, 2023 Bright Horizons College Coach occasionally features blog posts written by guest authors. You’ll find more information about each guest author in the About the Author section on the blog post. Learn More About College Coach college admissions consulting, educational consultant, college planner, by Mollie O’Connor, director of client services at Bright Horizons College Coach In my role at Bright Horizons College Coach, I have connected with thousands of families who are considering hiring a dedicated college admissions consultant. While the specific reasons for wanting support can vary from family to family, and from year to year, some trends have emerged. Here are the top five reasons families consider working with a Bright Horizons College Coach admissions expert:Expert College Admissions Guidance: Many students want and need guidance from someone other than mom or dad. (I’ve lost count of how many parents have shared, “My kid just won’t listen to me!”) We have been a trusted partner to families for 25 years and our collaborative team of experts, all former college admissions officers, understand the process inside and out. To ensure the right fit, our matching process allows students to select a dedicated expert whose experience and counseling style aligns with their needs.Building the College List: The right list is key to a successful college admissions process. The big name schools get a lot of love, but there are many hidden gems to uncover. We typically recommend applying to a balanced list of 7-10 schools, with a mix of reach, target, and likely options. An ideal list takes into consideration a student’s academic goals, as well as their financial, social, and personal wants and needs.College Essay Support: Our families consistently share that one of the most valuable aspects of our services is the essay writing support. Students often stress over what to write about and how to best present their accomplishments. Because parents, and sometimes teachers, can be too close to the student to provide objective guidance, it comes as no surprise to us that this service is the most sought after. Because our team has read hundreds of thousands of college essays, we know what makes a great one!How to Be Competitive at Top Choice Schools: What are schools looking for? How do students stand out in competitive applicant pools? The truth is, there is no perfect formula or secret sauce. However, we know how important it is to make sure that a student’s high school plan (curriculum choices, extracurricular activities, outside interests) aligns with their unique strengths and goals. As former decision makers at many of the schools our students target, our experts provide the guidance needed to help students maximize their high school experience.Organizational Support/Stress Reduction: The college process is a marathon, not a sprint. There are so many moving pieces, decisions, and deadlines along the way. Working with a knowledgeable, experienced admissions consultant helps to reduce the stress level, allowing the student to have some fun and gain confidence along the way. Contrary to popular belief, applying to college can be a positive experience! Regardless of where you or your child is on the journey to college, there are many ways to engage with our support. Check out our YouTube channel and our podcast, Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, for helpful college admissions and finance resources. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. If you are in the search for a dedicated college counselor, we’d love the opportunity to support you. Visit our website and fill out the form to contact us and learn more! Find out what you can expect from our partnership and view our variety of flexible services. Learn More about Our Services Related Resources Read | Posted on April 16th, 2024 Understanding Direct Admission: A Pathway to Success Read | Posted on April 10th, 2024 Acceptance by Emi Nietfeld; Why You Should Fill out the FAFSA Read | Posted on April 9th, 2024 Community Colleges with Campus Housing
