07-11-2025, 03:23 AM
I have one junior engineering major and one starting in the fall. Both at UC Berkeley.
Read a "Who Gets in and Why" by Jeff Selingo. I wouldn't hire a college counselor unless 1) he/she comes recommended by someone you trust or 2) you and your kid can't work effectively as a team. Even then, you can DIY a lot of stuff like building a college list, test prep, etc. and mainly just pay essay/application guidance.
If your kid is a rising senior, there isn't much that can be done other than the essays. That's not a bad thing, it's just some of the counselors try to get clients when they are entering 7th grade so they can "shape" their application.
Read a "Who Gets in and Why" by Jeff Selingo. I wouldn't hire a college counselor unless 1) he/she comes recommended by someone you trust or 2) you and your kid can't work effectively as a team. Even then, you can DIY a lot of stuff like building a college list, test prep, etc. and mainly just pay essay/application guidance.
If your kid is a rising senior, there isn't much that can be done other than the essays. That's not a bad thing, it's just some of the counselors try to get clients when they are entering 7th grade so they can "shape" their application.