The Role of a Private Admissions Counselor

Lisa Bleich is President of College Bound Mentor and a graduate of Harvard Business School. After working as a professor of marketing and management at Whittier College, Lisa saw an opportunity to create a systematic approach to the college application process. Her methodology focuses on the needs and strengths of each student, and helps them gain control over the process.

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In light of her expertise, we asked Lisa to outline the key ways in which a private admissions counselor can help students navigate the college admissions process:

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Pre-College Planning - College consultants help students get ready for college by supporting them in selecting classes for high school and determining the best activities and summer programs based on the students' strengths. Some also help students prepare for the standardized tests such as the ACT test or the SAT test. Counselors put together a timeline to help the students and their families know what to expect at each stage of the process and keep them on track.

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Personalized College List - An admissions counselor focuses on finding the best fit for the student in terms of academics, social life, extracurricular activities, location, personality of the student, and financial feasibility. Most counselors will do some sort of assessment to understand the student's needs and strengths and develop a personalized list that satisfies those needs. Often they will also help families plan college visits and give them information on the fit of a given college for that student.

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Application Preparation - Consultants give personalized attention to students by getting to know them in-depth and helping them through the process. They provide timelines, emphasize deadlines, and familiarize students with the Common Application, Universal Application and other applications. Admissions counselors also help students identify options for letters of recommendation and give students detailed advice on approaching teachers.

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Financial Aid/Merit Aid - Some admissions counselors help with the entire financial aid process, while others identify which schools may offer merit aid. Many have relationships with financial professionals who can help with this critical piece of college planning.

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Mock Interviews - Admissions counselors often perform a mock interview, with the goal of helping students understand what interviewers are looking to learn. The process also includes preparing students to answer commonly asked questions, as well as work to alleviate some of the student's anxieties about interviewing.

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Learning Differences - Some counselors specialize in helping students with learning differences work through the admissions process. These specialized consultants know the level of support available at various schools and can match the student's needs to the college. These specialists should also be able to provide guidance on how to get accommodations throughout the application process.