In Defense of College Consultants
A recent article in the New York Times posted an interview with a private school counselor regarding their take on whether or not their was a "need" for college consultants. My response was as follows:
It's interesting to see the reaction people have to the college consulting profession. An educator for over 23 years, and now a college consultant and founder of CMH College Consulting, I always found the time to assist those students that needed some extra help with their college search and applications. The student’s needs were varied. Most couldn't get in to see their counselor, others had poor counselors, some just needed more time than a counselor could give. But either way, student’s seeking additional assistance beyond the school counselor is not new. It's been going on for decades.
It’s funny how college consultants are being touted as “not truly needed” and criticized for being an unregulated profession, making claims that may not come true, and even charging exorbitant fees. But how is this different from Test Prep companies? Forty years ago, they too were a new industry. They too made claims to raise scores and they too charged exorbitant fees. Yet they are still unregulated. Anyone can buy a test prep franchise or open their own test prep company. Why is there no discussion regarding students just going to their teacher for extra help or taking free practice sessions online? Why is it OK to get assistance in raising your test score, but not assistance with making a decision that will likely be the biggest monetary investment you ever make next to your mortgage?
I also find it interesting that there is a perception that only a guidance counselor, or those with a counseling background, can assist with the college application process. Having been a teacher and an administrator, I find that a bit short-sighted, particularly since it’s the certified teacher and administrator that have the daily first-hand experience in understanding and observing how kids learn. They are the ones that have actually been in the classroom and know that all students learn differently and not all students thrive in the same environment. They also understand course rigor and what is required academically for a student to be successful. They are the people who have the best insight into what knowledge is necessary for students to be successful in sequencing courses. They see on a daily basis the pressures student’s face academically, socially and emotionally. They also know how these pressures affect student performance.
I happen to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, as well as a Master’s and Doctorate in Education. I’ve worked in secondary schools my entire career, the latter half as an administrator focused on curriculum & instruction, master scheduling and test coordinating. It is true, I was never a guidance counselor – but I was in charge of evaluating them and insuring they scheduled students properly. In fact in one school I worked at, a counselor couldn’t even change a student’s schedule without the approval of their supervising administrator. Yet despite this, I feel pretty strongly that my three degrees in education and years of experience working with students is probably worth as much, and maybe more, than someone new to the field that walks in and earns a certificate as an educational planner.
I think it’s important that we step back and look at the big picture, particularly when it comes to determining qualifications and whether or not consultants are needed. Yes, there are unqualified people hanging out shingles, but in the world of business – let the buyer beware. And yes, IECA is a credible organization that is devoted to educational consulting – but it’s focus is not just on college, it also focuses on mental health, special needs, boarding schools and day schools. And incidentally, there is also a professional organization devoted exclusively to college consulting, HECA, of which many IECA members also belong, however, it is not mentioned in this article (see http://www. hecaonline.org for a list of consultants). So, when a parent does decide they need a consultant and find themselves faced with the offer of a guarantee of admission with an exorbitant price, they need to ask themselves how ethical they think this process may be. It is ultimately their responsibility to look at references, credentials, associations, and most importantly, experience in working with teenagers.
As in every profession, there will be bad seeds. But in my association with 400+ of the most ethical college consultants across the nation, most just want to help a student find that fit and make the process less stressful than it already is. The bottom line is that guidance counselors are overworked and have little time to get involved in the college selection and application process, especially when it comes to visiting colleges and learning about new programs. College consultants aren’t trying to usurp their expertise. Most are just former educators and counselors who know they can step in and fill a void that is desperately needed. And yes, most of us are very good at what we do.
It's interesting to see the reaction people have to the college consulting profession. An educator for over 23 years, and now a college consultant and founder of CMH College Consulting, I always found the time to assist those students that needed some extra help with their college search and applications. The student’s needs were varied. Most couldn't get in to see their counselor, others had poor counselors, some just needed more time than a counselor could give. But either way, student’s seeking additional assistance beyond the school counselor is not new. It's been going on for decades.
It’s funny how college consultants are being touted as “not truly needed” and criticized for being an unregulated profession, making claims that may not come true, and even charging exorbitant fees. But how is this different from Test Prep companies? Forty years ago, they too were a new industry. They too made claims to raise scores and they too charged exorbitant fees. Yet they are still unregulated. Anyone can buy a test prep franchise or open their own test prep company. Why is there no discussion regarding students just going to their teacher for extra help or taking free practice sessions online? Why is it OK to get assistance in raising your test score, but not assistance with making a decision that will likely be the biggest monetary investment you ever make next to your mortgage?
I also find it interesting that there is a perception that only a guidance counselor, or those with a counseling background, can assist with the college application process. Having been a teacher and an administrator, I find that a bit short-sighted, particularly since it’s the certified teacher and administrator that have the daily first-hand experience in understanding and observing how kids learn. They are the ones that have actually been in the classroom and know that all students learn differently and not all students thrive in the same environment. They also understand course rigor and what is required academically for a student to be successful. They are the people who have the best insight into what knowledge is necessary for students to be successful in sequencing courses. They see on a daily basis the pressures student’s face academically, socially and emotionally. They also know how these pressures affect student performance.
I happen to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, as well as a Master’s and Doctorate in Education. I’ve worked in secondary schools my entire career, the latter half as an administrator focused on curriculum & instruction, master scheduling and test coordinating. It is true, I was never a guidance counselor – but I was in charge of evaluating them and insuring they scheduled students properly. In fact in one school I worked at, a counselor couldn’t even change a student’s schedule without the approval of their supervising administrator. Yet despite this, I feel pretty strongly that my three degrees in education and years of experience working with students is probably worth as much, and maybe more, than someone new to the field that walks in and earns a certificate as an educational planner.
I think it’s important that we step back and look at the big picture, particularly when it comes to determining qualifications and whether or not consultants are needed. Yes, there are unqualified people hanging out shingles, but in the world of business – let the buyer beware. And yes, IECA is a credible organization that is devoted to educational consulting – but it’s focus is not just on college, it also focuses on mental health, special needs, boarding schools and day schools. And incidentally, there is also a professional organization devoted exclusively to college consulting, HECA, of which many IECA members also belong, however, it is not mentioned in this article (see http://www. hecaonline.org for a list of consultants). So, when a parent does decide they need a consultant and find themselves faced with the offer of a guarantee of admission with an exorbitant price, they need to ask themselves how ethical they think this process may be. It is ultimately their responsibility to look at references, credentials, associations, and most importantly, experience in working with teenagers.
As in every profession, there will be bad seeds. But in my association with 400+ of the most ethical college consultants across the nation, most just want to help a student find that fit and make the process less stressful than it already is. The bottom line is that guidance counselors are overworked and have little time to get involved in the college selection and application process, especially when it comes to visiting colleges and learning about new programs. College consultants aren’t trying to usurp their expertise. Most are just former educators and counselors who know they can step in and fill a void that is desperately needed. And yes, most of us are very good at what we do.
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