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One of the
most popular questions I get from students is whether they should hire an
admissions consultant. My answer to most students is NO. The reason is
that most students have excellent guidance counsellors at their own
schools who have plenty of expertise in college admissions. Paying hundreds
or thousands of dollars to a consultant can turn out to be a real waste of
money. That said, there are instances when
students have to deal with counselors who have very little time and
expertise to offer. If you fit in this category, then you should seriously
consider hiring a consultant. Without proper guidance you will face a
difficult challenge in reaching your goals.
A good consultant can be a valuable resource. During the
first meeting the both of you together will go over your goals and your
transcript. You will discuss factors like GPA, high school course
requirements, AP courses, admissions test scores, application essay, etc.
Your consultant will inform you of how you stack up against the admission
requirements of your target schools and determine what you can do to
enhance your chances of getting in.
Proper care, however, must be taken when selecting a
consultant. Just about anyone can call themselves a consultant, but very
few are actually capable. If you're considering a particular consultant
find out if the person belongs to any organizational bodies, such as the NACAC. Also,
talk with some of the consultant's former clients to gauge their
satisfaction with the service provided. Also, be weary of consultants who
charge an extraordinarily low fee; you should question how much help
you're really going to get.
An excellent option is Kaplan Consulting, a program
I've heard a lot of good things about. Their consultants are comprised of
former counselors, admissions officers and other experts who have been in
the field for such a long time that they know all the tricks of the trade.
Their program is entirely customizable. You decide how many hours you want
and what you want advice on. And you will meet your consultant at a Kaplan
center closest to you. The prices are also very reasonable: 3 hours for
$500 which is enough time for most students. (A reputable consultant usually
costs $200/hr). Additional hours can be purchased if needed. You can find
details on Kaplan Consulting at www.kaptest.com/oneononeadm
If you have any questions for Wilson you can send them to
wilson@liqwidmindz.com and we
will forward them to him.
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