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As y'guys should know, some kids actually book "professional college counselors" that charge a (rather hefty) fee to help them get into their choice college, which are, most of the time, HYPS.

I read from somewhere that these "counselors" charges up to $25,000 for a package, which includes personalized attention, and an almost guaranteed admissions strategy.

And horror of all horrors, despite the ridiculous price tag, these "counselors" are FULLY booked, usually with another hundred or so on their waiting list. Worse still, these kids actually get into their choice college.

What do y'guys think about this?
Air your thoughts.

By Thepiskickass (Thepiskickass) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 10:47 pm: Edit

Lol. I'm actually hiring mine come this fall. My parents were going to get me one this year, but sophomore year doesn't matter much anyway(or so that's what a few of the counselors said.) Yeah. So, I have to make a few consultation appointments soon.

What are my thoughts? Well. I think if one has the money they should go for it. It's not too different from taking a PR sat prep class. I understand that many will call this an 'unfair advantage'. But hey, so is AA! So f*** it!

By Ashleycrombie (Ashleycrombie) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:02 pm: Edit

If you're good enough, you will get in somewhere.

And if you're intelligent, you will be intelligent wherever you go.

If you aren't all that qualified, and you get in because you had a private counselor, you'll probably have hell of a time with the brainiacs, and get kicked out after freshman year.

I personally feel that college admissions should rely on your personal efforts, not someone else who can talk to admissions officers, or tailor your admissions profile. Your admissions profile is YOURS, and should be done by YOU.

I don't see this as an "unfair advantage". I would call it a "blind advantage", simply because you will be exploiting the advantages that someone else gave you. Advantages should be created by yourself, and not anyone else.

After all, it is YOU who will go to college, not your counselor.

Please do not think that I am undermining the intelligence of the students who have/will hire(d) these "counselors". I understand that some of you rich people may be doing pretty well in school. I just think that if you're intelligent enough, you would be able to do everything by yourself.

By Londoner (Londoner) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 02:53 am: Edit

Well said Ashley

By Andrew (Andrew) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 09:46 am: Edit

I don't know about these programs with college counselors. I saw one where it said they "revise and help in proofing your essays" - AKA they write your college essay and application if you pay $14,000 or something.

People who hire these counselors are well how should I put it, retards. If they don't have the integrity to work on their college process and make their own independent, informed decisions then they shouldn't even plan on attending college at all because they lack maturity and all intelligence whatsoever. I think people on this board are obsessing too much about the whole getting into Ivy deal. It doesn't matter where you go to school, it matters what you do in life. Sure you shouldn't go to a crappy school, but don't think of Ivy-leagues as the be-all end-all.

That's my opinion on the subject.

By Uncchlocalmayor (Uncchlocalmayor) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 11:14 am: Edit

oh yeah, i read in Rolling Stone about a company that revises college application essays--only a few hundred dollars for full-attention revisions. Turns out the president of the company went to Harvard undergrad.

By Ashleycrombie (Ashleycrombie) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 08:13 pm: Edit

i see, but some of these counselors are charging, say, $30,000. that's insane. that's a year of tuition.

By Apguy (Apguy) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 08:39 pm: Edit

Couneslors can't change your SAT scores, your SAT II scores, your GPA or your courseload. They can't bribe teachers to write you good recommendations and they can't help win leadership positions in clubs or inflate your community service hours. THIS is what goes into your college application and what adcoms are looking for...what is professional counselor going to do? Maybe give some tips on your essay, help brushing up your application but a good 90-95% of your application won't be altered with even the most expensive counselor.

By Mm314 (Mm314) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 10:27 pm: Edit

I read something in an article about"paying money to get into college" how a harvard admissions officer saw an extremely well written essay which used some unheard of word, the kid's sat verbal score was really low and he concluded that the student did not write the essay and the kid was rejected.

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 10:32 pm: Edit

right ashley, but in that main "pool" there are so many qualified applicants that could potentially be accepted so that extra edge like a private counseler to help you get in might help -- i dont think a private counseler could ever get you into HYPS if ur underqualified--i doubbt he would even take on the ojb.

By Sunshine916 (Sunshine916) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 10:47 pm: Edit

i sort of think they're dumb

get in on your own merit. not by a counselor controlling your every move, helping you revise your essays to perfection, etc.

the application is about YOU. not about how well some professional person who wants you money wants to make you look so she can brag that she got another person into their top choice college.

if YOU dont shine out on your essay, it could hurt you in the end.

my parents offered to hire me one...i said no.

By Igotpants (Igotpants) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 12:22 am: Edit

LOL at the fool who pays that much and still gets rejected.

By Ashleycrombie (Ashleycrombie) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 01:17 am: Edit

exactly. i think it's more of an issue of dignity, integrity and discipline, rather than an issue of intelligence.

i mean, wouldn't it be nice to know that you got into Harvard by yourself, and not because you had someone help you out? and if you get rejected, at least the $30,000 wouldn't be wasted, and you would have no one else to blame but yourself.

and well done sunshine916 for refusing a private counselor! kudos for that =)

By Mitwannabe (Mitwannabe) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 02:47 am: Edit

sat verbal doesn't reflect how well u write, i've won essay contests, i have the highest mark in my advanced english course in the whole grade, yet i got a sit in the bathtub and cut my wrists 660! I'm also willing to put money on the fact that I could write more eloquently and make my compositions more ornate than most people with 800's on verbal. my friend got 800 in verbal, i'm beating him by a lot in that english class we have together, but i see their decision, cuz most ppl who score high on verbal are good readers and writers

By Wharton1986 (Wharton1986) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 03:10 am: Edit

wait this scheme is a money back gurantee right?????????????

if not.your an idiot to join this program.
30k??.jeez!!!!!!!!!!..
use that money to pay partly for your mba or something like that.

By Ziplocky (Ziplocky) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 12:07 pm: Edit

lol if your parents donated 30,000 to the school, it might work better.

By Ml41588 (Ml41588) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 12:40 pm: Edit

i think it's rather sickening to hire someone for around 20,000 to help you get into college. quite honestly, if u cant get into the college without one of these people, u really dont belong there. i dont want to sound obnoxious, but if the school youre looking at wants to see really specific things that u just dont have, look somewhere else.

By Quakerboy2 (Quakerboy2) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 01:57 pm: Edit

"90-95% of your application won't be altered with even the most expensive counselor."

I'm sorry, but these couselors are not there just to help you package your essay and revise it. Most of these couselors have connections that will help you get in. If you don't believe that connections matter that much, then why do some private schools have such great statistics? Yes, those students are mildly smarter than public school kids on the whole, but they are not that much better. Certainly not enough to justify the stats. Those schools have connections, and the colleges know what kinds of kids the counselors will send.

Hate to break it to you, but college applications isn't all about your file. Not much outside that can hurt you, but it can make the difference between acceptance and rejection.

By Mm314 (Mm314) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 09:23 pm: Edit

mitwannabee, you must trust me when I say his verbal score was HORRENDOUS, I think the article said like 3-4 something. But all in all, an admissions office knows when your bullshitting, end of story.

By Mitwannabe (Mitwannabe) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 04:18 am: Edit

oh really, well there ya go, a person who just has on grasp on the english language, lol

By Nutraamy (Nutraamy) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 03:05 am: Edit

So, basically college counselors buy your way into college? That doesn't sound bad. The truth is, most colleges are equal in their level or academic rigor. I don't know why you wouldn't want help because the college doesn't mind rejecting qualified applicants. In college applications and in life, money buys you unfair opportunities. Did anyone ever wonder how exactly Claire Danes got into Yale when the brighest kids on this board even are breaking their backs trying to be the best applicant? I doubt it was her compelling essay...
have you watched Rich Kids on HBO? Its all ivy league. I doubt any of them got 1600 on their SATs or did community service...

Just a thought..