Ummm, not much, according to CBS Money Watch. High School guidance counselors are tremendously overworked, and most do not have training in college counseling. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has data showing student-counselor ratios such as 986:1 in California and 799:1 in Minnesota. Obviously, high school counselors cannot be faulted for not knowing alot about college admissions and individual colleges.
I posted on the issue of high school counselor caseloads several months ago. Guidance counselors do not receive education in college counseling, or if they do, it may involve one class. Professional college admissions consultants often have Graduate level training, specifically in college counseling. UCLA is one institution offering such training. Their Certificate in College Counseling includes 6 or 7 graduate level courses with a 65 hour supervised practicum required. When looking for a college consultant, take into consideration their education and certifications. Hiring a private college consultant is a good idea as long as you know how to find a reputable consultant. As a professional member of the IECA, the Independent Educational Consultant’s Association, I recommend going to the IECA’s website to begin your search. Members of the IECA meet high standards of membership and levels of professionalism.
If you decide to navigate the college admissions process on your own, be sure to do your homework, and do it well. I recommend the following to start you on your quest:
Colleges that Change Lives
Fiske Guide to Colleges 2010
Cool Colleges
and be sure to visit several college search websites such as Unigo, The New York Times Choice Blog, and of course, Tam Warner Minton’s College Adventures. It can be done!
