The college application process is stressful for all involved - students, parents / guardians and guidance counsellors alike. Everyone's focus is fixed on trying to secure the best possible outcome and it can become very overwhelming.
That overwhelmed-ness then becomes forgetfulness... deadlines get missed and incomplete applications are submitted.
And nobody wants that...
One sure way to avoid these application hiccups is to hire a private college counsellor to help guide you through the college application process. A lot of people think it's excessive and a "waste of money" but it truly is one of the best investments you can make as you prepare for the next part of your educational journey. The truth is that college applications are not a walk in the park, and they are not something that can be conjured up overnight and submitted the next day. Having someone hold your hand through the process not only makes it easier in the moment, but it can also save you TONS of money for the next 4 years.
Here are 3 reasons why you should consider hiring a private counsellor:
INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION JUST FOR YOU
Let's be honest, while high school guidance counsellors have the purest of intentions, they simply do not have the ability to give each student the specialised individual attention that they requires and deserves.
A private counsellor can.
A private college counsellor is able to dedicate time and energy into directing you in developing your extracurricular activities, creating a solid college list based on your interests and finances, and guiding you on how best to achieve your dreams. In most high schools, there are at most 1-2 guidance counsellors for anywhere between 50 to 300 Grade 12 / Upper 6 students... and they're also serving the rest of the student body on other personal matters as well!
In fact, 95% of all AIMers have a high school guidance counsellor... and 100% of AIMers AND AIM parents in the
College Advising Program learn more from AIM about themselves and their unique college application journey than if they were to do it on their own.
A private counsellor can tailor your college prep experience to your specific needs and chart a customised application timeline that fits your precise student profile. This specialised attention can be helpful in beginning your preparation process as early as possible and getting the best results!
A college counsellor's job is to know the college application as well as they know the back of their hands. No matter how well you, your parents or high school guidance counsellor may know the system, a professional college counsellor will always have a more intimate understanding of each step of the application process.
Why? Because dedicated college counsellors have been navigating the college application journey for YEARS... not only from the lens of one type of student, but from students with a variety of backgrounds. The truth is that college applications look different based on your student profile, like:
This intimate knowledge allows the private counsellor to advise you on how to maximise each step of the process and produce the best and strongest possible application FOR YOU.
College counsellors also have the job of staying current on all trends in the college application process. Why is this important? The college application process is ever-evolving and you want to be up-to-date because these changes might mean a simpler or more complex application process for you. Trends in acceptance rates and financial aid access at different colleges also vary, knowledge of these variances also aids in the development of a suitable college list.
This might sound counterintuitive because you would be spending more money to hire a college counselor, but hear us out... the average return on investment here at AIM is 5000%. What does that mean? It means that for every dollar spent on college advising at AIM, the average student receives $5000 in scholarship money directly from universities that have accepted them towards their college education. How does that make sense?
The reality is that college is incredibly expensive - and even more so if you identify as an international student. The average cost of tuition for a private university in the US is $41,411.00 per year, with the more competitive and prestigious colleges tending to have a heftier price point. The best way to navigate these looming costs during the application period is by having someone by your side who can fully assess your family's finances and point you in the right direction.
Applying to college isn't free either - college application fees can range anywhere from $0 to $200US per school. Way too often we see students whose families cannot afford to pay full tuition, spend hundreds of dollars applying to schools where they aren't even eligible for financial aid or scholarships! Hiring a professional college counsellor will save you money in the long run, both on application fees AND on the cost of attending college.
The guidance provided by a privately hired college application connoisseur is one that is truly invaluable, given that the knowledge that they have comes from years of manoeuvring college applications from students of all backgrounds. Why spend time and energy trying to figure it out yourself when there are professionals who have dedicated their life to helping students like you live their college dreams?
If you're ready to take the plunge with AIM, look no further than an Initial Strategy Session with an AIM Expert Counselor! We take the time to break down the main drivers of the college admissions process, with specific guidance and strategy that is curated just for you.
If you're heading to college in 2023, now is the time to start strategizing your journey to the college... and what better way to do that than with AIM!
