Picture this: an average student gets their essay written for them, and it is so good that the student gets into colleges that they never would have gotten into by themselves. Realistically, all a student needs is money and the contact information of a private college counselor. Is this how WCHS seniors should apply to colleges?
A private college counselor can do everything from helping with essays and standardized tests to helping decide which colleges a student should apply to. Although their help may seem valuable, it should not be a cost families are willing to pay.
According to Collegewise, the average cost of a private college counselor in Potomac, Md. is approximately $11 thousand per counseling session, which usually lasts a few months.
In contrast, the internet has a plethora of free resources that can replace the need for a counselor. For example, resources such as Naviance and individual college websites can be used to search for college pricing, average test scores, average GPA, and more.
Also, although having someone else to monitor and guide a student through everything they do may be helpful, it ultimately does not facilitate independence. Private college counselors often step over students and do much of the work themselves. This can depersonalize the application and even overqualify the student for a college they should not get into.
By applying to college by themselves, students will be able to learn skills in troubleshooting and professionalism. Students who believe the college application process is too complicated often need to spend more time exploring and trying to work with online resources. It is much more straightforward than most students think it is.
But, for those needing more individualized help, that is what family and friends are for. If an essay is passed through every trusted friend and family member, it will undoubtedly be improved considerably.
Hiring a private college counselor also takes valuable family time away from students in their senior year. Their last year at home before college should be spent with family enjoying the time they have together, rather than overspending for a counselor that takes away from family time.
Even then, if a student needs more counseling, WCHS has a whole department of college counselors. WCHS counselors are available to talk to students daily and can serve their students better as they are often more familiar with them. As a bonus, their services are free, too!
At the end of the day, a private college counselor is an investment in a child’s future that certain people are willing to pay for. However, despite the literal cost, the harm the investment could cause to others unable to afford it heavily outweighs any benefits it could provide. Private college counselors can unjustly boost a student’s resume and will only deprive them of vital life skills that can be acquired only through independence.
