I am an independent college counselor who helps “rising” high school seniors – students who will apply to colleges for admission next year – and their families.  This includes students who are currently in the second semester of their junior year.

There are approximately 2,000 four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Which one is the “right fit” for your student? An independent college counselor can identify the best academic and social environment for your student, at an affordable price, and with a reasonable chance of admission.

“Independent” refers to a counselor not employed by the student’s school. The ratio of public high school counselors to students nationwide is well over 300:1. The numbers here in Arizona are much worse – just over 700:1, the worst ranking in the entire nation. (See Arizona Still Ranks Last In Student-Counselor Ratio Despite Improvements,” Arizona’s Family, February 17, 2022, Arizona still ranks last in student-counselor ratio despite improvements (azfamily.com)).  Although the situation is better in private schools, even those counselors are responsible for dozens of students. 

College counseling is about much more than working on the mechanics of college selection and admission; it is also about working with people. Independent counselors take the time to get to know students, understand their needs, give advice, and help with applications and editing essays. We also explain the application process to parents, understand their hopes and expectations, and give feedback about their student’s chances of admission. An independent counselor takes as much stress as possible out of the process by providing your family with a trusted resource.

How I work with families:

I assist with:

• Identifying and assessing your student’s interests.
• Reviewing high school transcripts and standardized test scores.
• Choosing which, and how many, standardized tests (e.g., SAT, ACT, AP) to take – and when to take them.
• Selecting colleges that offer the best “fit” – academic and social – for your student.
• Selecting colleges to visit.
• Calculating the actual costs of attending various colleges and considering strategies to reduce that cost.
• Applying to colleges, including advice (and, where necessary, nagging) on deadlines, essays, obtaining recommendations, and much more.
• Editing (but not writing) your student’s essays. 

I first meet with your family to understand your goals and needs.  After extensive research and conversations with your student, I offer a list of “best fit” colleges.  I continue to meet with your student throughout the selection and application process and read and edit every essay before applications are submitted. 

Why I invest at least 100 hours (and frequently much more) in your student’s application process

The increasing amount of information available about colleges demands it.  The days when counselors could claim commanding knowledge by visiting college campuses and reading guidebooks are over.  Counselors must be skilled at researching information online from a wide variety of sources.  I use the Internet to discover current information about individual colleges relevant to your student’s needs, interests, and academic record that your family can use to make an informed choice.

I spend even more time helping your student win admission.  Colleges are looking for engaged learners who know what they want to study and how they wish to contribute to society after graduation.  I help students create accurate, complete, and compelling portraits of who they are and what they will contribute to each college. 

For example, many colleges require what I call the “Why This College?” essay to assess whether your student is a particularly good “fit” for their college.  I help students match their academic and social interests with the resources offered by each college to which they apply.  Each student’s need for information is unique.  STEM students may want to identify which campus laboratories, if any, will take on undergraduates.  Prospective liberal arts majors may be looking for programs that combine courses in the social sciences and humanities with skills that are attractive to employers.  

Many colleges give preference to students with disparate interests.  In addition to helping students match their academic strengths with particular majors at each college, I also look for opportunities for them to seek out minors and even individual courses relevant to their other interests.  For example, a STEM student may enjoy classical Chinese poetry – I can help that student find various minors or courses relevant to that interest and demonstrate to each college that they will take full advantage of all that college has to offer.  This information can be found by those with the expertise – and time — to look for it.

How much time does this Internet research take?  A lot. Consider a few of the posts on this blog:

Communications: The New and Improved English Major

Undergraduate Business Programs – Rosenblatt College Counseling

The Data Is Out There – But You Need To Look For It. 

The work required to provide information customized to your student’s needs is extensive and time-consuming.  However, when we spend more time on something, we generally get better results.

As an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), I also have access to the collective wisdom and information of a nationwide network of hundreds of colleagues.  If I have not encountered a particular problem, I will reach out to those who have.

My fees – an FAQ

How much do you charge?

I charge $4,000 per student.  Note that I may charge extra for assisting with applications to more than 15 colleges outside Arizona.  Ask me for details.

How can you afford to charge less than your competitors?

Like a few other retirees working in “encore careers,” I aim to make only a modest profit after absorbing expenses.  I take on no more than five clients at a time so I can spend the extra time needed to do a superior job.

Why should I spend $4,000 when I am already looking at a huge tuition bill?

If you are planning to pay tuition somewhere in the six-figure range during the next four years, you should invest a tiny fraction of that amount in my services. I may find a “best fit” college at a lower price point than you expect. Even if we do not secure an immediate financial benefit, students are more likely to thrive in – and graduate from – colleges that best suit their interests and needs. That is the ultimate goal, and I can help your family achieve it.  

Note:  If your student plans not to apply to colleges outside of Arizona, then you do not need to hire any college counselor. The applications for UA, ASU, and NAU take only about 30-60 minutes to complete.  

Considering hiring an out-of-town counselor?

Read The Tucson Advantage first — it’s an eye-opener.