Benefits of College Counseling
Benefits of Private College Counseling
Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions students and families will make. A student’s college experience significantly impacts his or her personal growth and future plans. Finding the right fit, however, is not always easy and can be a stressful process. There are many factors to consider when searching for the right college. That is where a private college counselor plays a vital role.
Private college counselors supplement the work of high school guidance counselors by providing students with personalized, individual attention outside of normal school hours. Nationally, on average, high school students receive A TOTAL of 38 minutes of personal college admissions guidance from their high school counselors.
Private college counselors have the knowledge, expertise, and passion that it takes to assist families in navigating the complicataed world of higher education. Unlike high school counselors, private college counselors are able to research and visit colleges extensively, work closely with students and families to ensure a great match, and help students stay organized and on schedule. Private college counselors also strive to match students to colleges and universities where they can thrive and succeed. Evidence suggests students who work with a private college counselor are more likely to remain at a college through graduation.
Consider this:
- Public school counselors spend 24% of their time on college counseling.
- Private school counselors spend 52% of their time on college counseling.
- At Great College Fit, we spend 100% of our time on college counseling
Counselors serve an important role in advising students as they progress through secondary school and prepare for college. Pre-college counseling generally includes activities that help students meet requirements for postsecondary attendance, pursue challenging courses, and navigate the college admission process.
Of particular importance to student success is access to a strong precollege guidance and counseling program that begins early in the student’s education. Counselors can be significant assets in the college admission process. Students face additional challenges without strong counselors to help them, which can make the college application and admission process more difficult.
More things most parents don’t know about college counseling:
- American high school students, on average, receive fewer than 40 minutes of personal college admissions guidance
- Only 29% of public secondary schools have a dedicated college counselor
- The NACAC recommended student-to-counselor ratio is 250:1
- California’s student to counselor ratio is 663:1
- Students who work with an IEC are FOUR times more likely to attend a private college and THREE times more likely to attend an out-of-state college
- Students who meet one-on-one with a counselor are 7 times more likely to complete a FAFSA and 3 times more likely to attend college than those who don’t
Source: NACAC 2019 State of College Admission Report