College admissions counseling is on the rise, meaning more students and families are turning to specialized advisors to guide them through the college application process. You can find countless college application help services, all offering various services at different price points. However, they all claim to be doing the same thing: helping students gain admission to their dream school.
Reputable advising companies like CollegeAdvisor have helped thousands of students apply and get into top colleges nationwide. Indeed, if you read a few CollegeAdvisor reviews, you can see just how many students have benefitted from working with CollegeAdvisor. But, what makes the best college admissions consultants stand out from the rest?
To fully understand the world of college admissions counseling, we’ll cover how the college admissions process works in the U.S. Then, we’ll explore some of the reasons students seek out college application help services and how college counselors help them navigate the process. Finally, we’ll discuss what to look for when exploring the world of college advising and how to know if it is worth it. Throughout this article, you’ll see the unique ways CollegeAdvisor helps students maximize their potential—and their admissions odds.
Ready to learn more? Let’s start with some U.S. college admissions basics.
Understanding U.S. College Admissions
The U.S. college admissions process is unique from many countries, particularly when it comes to the holistic review process. When you hear the word holistic, it essentially means no one set of test scores or credentials will decide an admissions decision. Instead, colleges and universities are looking for an overall sense of who a student is and how they will contribute to the school’s community.
In one sense, that means the individual components of your application are considered as parts of a whole. In another sense, it means that applicants are evaluated within the context of the applicant pool. Many colleges intend to build a diverse student body. Therefore, an application must be both competitive when compared to other applicants and unique enough to stand out.
Each college has slightly different requirements for admission, and there are countless factors that play into a student’s admissions odds. Some schools are test-optional while others are not. Certain public schools prioritize in-state students, making it harder for out-of-state applicants to gain admission. At some schools, certain programs and majors are more competitive than others, whereas at others your chosen major doesn’t play a big role in admissions.
The best college admissions consultants are well aware of these subtle differences, as well as the ins and outs of the U.S. admissions process. And, they know how to help students play to their advantages while keeping them on track to meet their admissions deadlines.
College Admissions Timeline
There are countless items students will need to check off their college application checklist in time to meet their deadlines. The college application process is lengthy and can be overwhelming, no matter how prepared you are.
One of the biggest challenges for students is juggling college applications while keeping up with their senior year coursework and extracurricular activities. The majority of college applications are due in early January, meaning students are working on applications throughout the fall.
However, certain applications can be due as early as September or August. For instance, students applying via the QuestBridge National Match Program, a scholarship program for first-generation and low-income students, will have to apply by September 26. Early Decision and Early Action applications are typically due November 1. For schools with rolling admissions, priority deadlines may be around the same time as Regular Decision deadlines, with opportunities to submit applications extending well into the spring and summer.
In general, many students begin the application process the summer before their senior year. But, there are students who start thinking about the college admissions process as early as 8th grade. This “pre-application” work includes considering the coursework they should be taking, the extracurriculars they should be involved in, and the schools they might be interested in attending.
Getting started early can be critical for alleviating stress and staying on track to meet deadlines. And it’s never too early (or too late) to seek out college admissions counseling! In fact, CollegeAdvisor offers college admissions counseling programs designed specifically for 9th & 10th graders, 11th graders, and 12th graders. So, you can count on getting the support you need—no matter where you’re at in the college admissions process.
Why do Students need College Admissions support?
So, why do students seek out college application help services? These services give them the best chance of being accepted to their dream school—not just a school that tops college rankings but one that truly is a great fit for them.
While some students need help navigating the entire college admissions process, some students are looking for help on one specific part of the application. At CollegeAdvisor, one of the biggest things students want help with is their application essays.
Writing college essays
Whether or not you consider yourself a strong writer, college essays present a particular challenge. For many students, this is the first time they’ve been asked to write about themselves and reflect critically on their experiences and goals. From 800-word personal statements to 50-word short answers, you might feel lost trying to find a good balance in your essays. How do I showcase my best qualities without bragging? How can I fully express myself while being professional? What do admissions officers really want to learn from my essays?
Essay review is the cornerstone of any great advising company. In fact, CollegeAdvisor has an entire Essay Review team! This gives students the opportunity to get even more personalized feedback on their essays before they submit them.
Building a college list
Beyond essays, students also need assistance deciding which colleges to apply to. Centralized application platforms like the Common App make it easy to apply to different colleges, but there are only so many you can apply to. With thousands of colleges to choose from and countless factors to consider—including cost, location, class size, and more—you may not know where to start your college search. However, the right advisor will get to know you and be able to recommend great colleges that align with your needs and interests.
On top of college lists and essays, there are also standardized tests, activities lists, and financial aid applications to tack onto your college application checklist. When you stop to think about it, that’s a lot for an individual student to take on alone!
Navigating the process for the first time
While some students have the support of their families, they are likely not as deeply familiar with the admissions process as an admissions counselor will be. For others, they may be the first in their family to attend college. As such, they are also the first to go through the application process and may have no idea where to start.
These challenges are just a few reasons students explore college admissions counseling. The best college admissions consultants, like CollegeAdvisor, have experience working with students from all backgrounds. And, they customize their support to fit their students’ needs.
Let’s learn a bit more about what this support looks like.
What do College Counselors do?
College admissions counseling can vary quite a bit depending on your program. However, typical college application help services usually include a certain number of hours of one-on-one advising. These are sessions where students meet with their advisors to ask questions and collaborate “in person,” though these are usually video calls.
Counselors will work with students on every aspect of their application from start to finish. For instance, the admissions counselors at CollegeAdvisor help students research schools, balance their college lists, apply for scholarships, submit financial aid applications, and more.
One of the most valuable services college admissions counseling provides is essay support. At CollegeAdvisor, students work closely with their counselors to brainstorm the best ideas, get those ideas on paper, and transform those essays into something truly exceptional. The process involves detailed, specific feedback and as many rounds of revisions as it takes for the essay to shine.
College counselors also help students stay organized and on track to complete their college application checklist. This can include building a detailed college application checklist with information about supplemental essays, deadlines, and more. More importantly, the counselors at CollegeAdvisor are there to support their students, encouraging them to persevere, take breaks when they need it, and stay motivated until the moment they make their final decision.
Planning your College Admissions approach
Whether or not you decide to pursue college admissions counseling will depend on your particular circumstances. Regardless, students will need to make a game plan for which colleges they need to apply to, the requirements for each, and how and when to complete their application.
While admissions requirements are the same for every applicant, no two students follow the same path. Some students know where they want to apply before they begin the admissions process, whereas others might jump into writing their personal statement before they’ve finalized their college list. Others may focus on their SAT or ACT scores first and then go from there.
In general, you’ll need to determine which schools you want to apply to and what it takes to get in. If they’re test-optional, you may decide to forgo standardized testing. If they’re not, you’ll have to plan on taking either the SAT or ACT. You’ll likely want to make a schedule to keep track of various deadlines, prioritizing early deadlines if you choose to apply Early Decision or Early Action.
You’ll also need to request your transcripts from your school counselor and ask your teachers for letters of recommendation. Additionally, you’ll need to work with your family to get the required documents to apply for financial aid.
While there are no shortcuts, tackling college admissions is about knowing what you need to do and how you need to organize your life to get it done. For some students, this is easy. For others, having someone in their corner to help them manage everything is critical to their success.
Are college admissions consultants worth it?
For students who choose to invest in college admissions counseling, it can absolutely be worthwhile. But, you’ll need to do your research to make sure you find the right one. If you don’t know someone personally who has used the college admissions counseling service you are looking into, take some time to read some reviews.
You can read countless CollegeAdvisor reviews from past clients. Many of the CollegeAdvisor reviews speak to the positive experiences students and their families have had working with their advisors. Beyond the CollegeAdvisor reviews, you can also take a look at some of CollegeAdvisor’s Client Success Stories that feature some of their recently admitted students.
Where to turn for College Admissions counseling?
With plenty of options, how will you know which company to work with? To start, you’ll want to look for a counselor who has a proven track record. Ask them about their past successes, what schools their students get into, and what kind of students they work with. Additionally, you might look for companies with reputable partnerships, such as CollegeAdvisor and U.S. News. That way, you can be sure the information you’re receiving is reliable, accurate, and genuinely helpful.
As you do your research, consider both the quality and cost of the program. Some are outrageously expensive, while others, like CollegeAdvisor, offer more affordable programs. Coupled with thousands of positive CollegeAdvisor reviews, you can also be sure you’re getting a good value for your investment!
Exploring different programs
Some companies offer different levels of advising, so you can balance the cost with your needs. Depending on how much support you’re looking for, you can choose from three package tiers at CollegeAdvisor: Elite, Platinum, and Ivy Plus. Each tier offers a certain number of hours with your advisor, and some offer the chance to work with a former college admissions officer.
For students whose families cannot afford these programs, there are also free college advising opportunities available. At CollegeAdvisor, students with demonstrated financial need can apply to their Scholars Program. Selected students are then matched with one of CollegeAdvisor’s admissions experts free of charge.
As you explore your options, remember this: The best college admissions consultants are the ones who listen to your needs and make the service work for you, not the other way around.
Resources for Navigating College Admissions
Beyond formal college application help services, there are plenty of online resources that are free to access. In particular, CollegeAdvisor has an extensive collection of resources for students to take advantage of, including:
- Articles & Guides: You can explore various resources and articles covering topics ranging from AP classes to career paths to virtual college tours. These articles are a great way to build your foundational knowledge and explore more niche topics that you may not be as familiar with.
- Webinars: If you’re looking for more insight, CollegeAdvisor’s webinars offer a great opportunity to hear from former admissions officers, alumni, and college students who have recently gone through the application process themselves. With over 300 webinars to view, you can do a deep dive into topics such as building your Common App activity list or specific majors and programs.
- Essay Guides & Examples: These essay guides contain tips and tricks for tackling college essays as well as successful sample essays written by CollegeAdvisor students. Topics include everything from brainstorming to how to start your essay to how to approach certain prompts, including school-specific supplemental guides.
- College Pages: Each of CollegeAdvisor’s college pages contains detailed information about schools their clients have attended. You can access statistics such as median test scores and acceptance rates, read up on academics and popular majors, and learn a bit about the advisors who were accepted into that particular school—all in one place!
Is College Admissions Counseling right for you? Final Takeaways
As you build your college application checklist, consider adding college admissions counseling to the list! Trusted advising services like CollegeAdvisor offer a great opportunity for students to feel confident applying to the colleges of their dreams. Whether you are looking for personalized feedback on your essays or need an expert to guide you through the entire process, CollegeAdvisor can help.
While even the best college admissions consultants can’t make any guarantees, they can make even the most selective colleges feel within reach. Because that’s what college admissions counseling is really about—helping students remove barriers so they can dream big and eventually make those dreams a reality.
