By Dr. Patricia H. Smith
As a parent, you have done an excellent job of preparing your high school senior for college. Your accomplished (grades, awards, contributions, and athletics) senior is now prepared to select a good college “fit” that aligns with academic goals, social interests, and the family financial investment. However, managing the college planning process prompts you to answer the following questions:1) how do we work together as a family? 2) how do we make decisions with purpose? and 3) what resources are available and how to use them?
High school counselors, independent college consultants, and college admissions professionals are resources prepared to help families successfully manage and respond to the college planning and admissions process. Each of these resources support parents and students with decision making, aligning need with resources, better communications within families, and supporting the overall well-being of the college planning/admissions experience.
High school counselors
According to the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and U.S. News & World Report, high school counselors, are educators and skilled professionals who play a significant role in advocating and guiding students through the college planning /college admissions process. Counselors help students with . . .
- Course selections to stay on track to meet graduation and college admission requirements
- Explore and search for colleges
- Learn financial options to pay for college
- Write recommendation letters and submit students ‘transcripts to colleges
- Plan and offer college planning events and activities for both students and parents such as financial aid & FAFSA night, college application workshops, and visits from college admissions representatives to the school
- And much, much more . . .
Independent educational/college consultants
The National Association for College Admission Counseling, the Independent Educational Consultant Association and the American Institute of Certified Educational Planner define independent educational/college consultants (IEC) as skilled professionals who provide individualized and personalized assistance and direct support to students and parents. Many IECs are certified educational planners. Recognizing that both students and parents are busy during the school year, for example parents work long hours and manage their households and students experience long school days, homework, projects, and after-school activities. In support of these busy schedules, IECs offer flexible and extended work and weekend hours. In addition, IECs provide customized and comprehensive college and financial planning services to students and parents. Independent educational/college consultants help families (students and parents) . . .
- Plan and organize the college planning/admissions process
- Set clear goals
- Advise parents on how to engage in the process in support of their child’s experiences
- Break college planning tasks into smaller steps
- Identify college planning resources (online resources, SAT/ACT tutors, scholarship databases)
- Prioritizing urgent tasks (for example, writing college admissions essays)
- Meet deadline dates
- Find resources to pay college
- Decode financial award letters
- Update parents on students’ progress
- College admissions professional
The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) defines college admissions professionals as members of colleges and universities responsible for helping students transition from high school to college. College admissions officers promote their respected colleges/universities, recruit prospective students, visit high schools, and take part in college fairs. These representatives guide students and answer questions from students and parents about their colleges’ academic programs, campus life, application requirements and deadlines, and financial aid. Students and parents should plan to interact with college admissions representatives by attending . . .
- Parent college nights at your student’s school
- Financial aid nights
- College fairs
- Visit and tour college campuses with your student
The goals of these resources are similar. High school counselors are school representatives providing professional free college planning and admissions support. Independent educational/college consultants are private professionals hired by families to collaborate and provide personalized services to stay organized, manage, strategize, and navigate the college planning and admissions process and maximize financial resources to pay for college. College admissions representatives work with both high school counselors and IECs ensuring that students and parents receive thoughtful and ethical guidance and resources about their institutions.
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