If you’re a high school junior or senior, you’ve probably been asked by just about every person in your life about your plans for college. Through all the applications, transcripts, and assignments, you may feel like you’re being stretched too thin by what should be an exciting process to continue your education. That’s where a college counseling company could be just what you need, with skilled counselors who guide you effectively as sherpas through the mountainous terrain of applying to schools.
Peace of Mind
One of the main benefits of college counseling companies is to allow students a chance to breathe. A college counselor will be able to lay the facts out to better understand the application process. This includes test prep for the SATs to recommended approaches to your educational goals. A college counselor will take into consideration what’s important for you in the next step of your education, helping you avoid unnecessary paperwork or essay writing to put your focus on applying to programs that mean the most to you.
For example, if you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a counselor will help list out the schools that may make sense for you to pursue this career. From there, counselors can then delve into certain subject matters like forensics or sociology to narrow the search among the colleges and universities. An applicant is better able to assess the strengths and weaknesses to determine which program they should apply to. You can also get insight into the coursework that comes with pursuing criminal law, public policy, or any other subjects towards a criminal justice degree.
Expertise
If you’re the firstborn, you may not have expertise on your side when it comes to applying to college, as things have changed since your mom and dad went to school. College counseling services come with years of experience in filling out applications, editing essays, and understanding what can put your application at the top of the pile when it comes time for schools to choose their incoming class. They’ll help you understand your workload so that you have deadlines in place to make sure that you’re coordinated throughout the application process.
Counselors can also help you with interview prep. They’ll instruct you on how to best prop yourself up in front of a college admissions officer. While your personal statement in the application process is supposed to do the job, you can change the game with a great interview. They’ll walk you through talking out career opportunities and why you want to attend the school, eventually landing on fun discussions about your extracurricular activities that will be memorable for that officer.
Understanding Expenses
The college experience can be an expensive one, and you may not be prepared for the expenses. An admissions expert can help you understand the overall cost of attending your dream school while laying out other options for your future success. Beyond the expense of enrollment, a counselor will make you aware of costs for common courses that you may not have been prepared to handle, bettering your saving habits.
You’ll also be walked through the financial aid process, understanding what loans through the school, government, or Sallie Mae may entail for you in the long term. High school students may feel overwhelmed by the thought of working with financial institutions, so counselors can walk applicants through these procedures, offering mom and dad some understanding on the subject too. A college counselor can also make you aware of scholarship opportunities through these schools or outside sources that could save you some money and help make some decisions easier during the college admissions process.
