While preparing for college, you’ll hear people talk about college admission counselors. Your parents or friends may even suggest going to see one. But before packing your bags to see a college admissions counselor, you’d need to know who they are and their duties. Here’s a detailed article that explains who admission counselors are and what they do.
What is a College Admissions Counselor?
A college admission counselor or educational counselor advises prospective college students on the right path. They work with families to work out a more comprehensive approach to finding the right colleges for their wards and applying for those colleges. They are either independent or employed by colleges. Independent college counselors would receive consultation fees from working for students and their families.
In addition to finding colleges that are good fits for students, college counselors also work with students to learn about their interests and goals. This way, they can advise on the best way forward. They can also offer recommendations on how to improve the student’s records while assisting with the application process.
What Do College Admissions Officers Do?
Undoubtedly, college admissions officers are among the most important people students and their families encounter during the college admissions process. They perform several tasks in addition to helping students decide where to apply for college. That said, here are some of the top duties of a college admissions officer.
1. Helps prospective students make the right decision
One of the foremost duties of an admissions counselor is to help students make the right college decisions. They can do this at the high school level by talking to students about post-high school life. They can organize seminars and other related events where they talk to students about available options and how they can access them.
They also typically own offices that students can visit to consult with them.
2. Interview prospective students to learn about their interests
It’s normal for prospective college students to get confused or become unsure about their choices at different points. To help, college admissions counselors schedule interviews from time to time where they discuss with students and learn about their interests. The questions they’ll ask during these interviews can help them better understand prospective students and recommend courses or departments where they’ll perform best.
3. Help students write an impactful personal statement
One of the first things that college admissions officers look at when making admission decisions is the quality of your statement. So, if your statement of purpose does not have the correct details, you can forget about admission. College admissions counselors have been helping students handle this for years, so they know the dos and don’ts of writing statements. They may also know what specific colleges are looking out for. Hiring a college admissions counselor gives you the edge as far as this area is concerned because they’ll guide you through it.
4. Negotiate financial aid
Yes, financial aid is negotiable. You just have to know when to do it and how to go about it. Unfortunately, you’ve been too busy trying to pass high school that you’ve not picked any extra courses on negotiations. Don’t worry; a college admissions counselor can help you handle it. You’ll focus on trying to pass relevant exams while they do the negotiations for you. Most of them have connections and are willing to use these connections to your advantage.
Conclusion
That’s it, a detailed look at who college admission counselors are and their duties. Next time you hear somebody talk about admissions counselors, you’d know what they mean and how they come into the conversation. Remember, college admission counselors can either be employed in high schools or in colleges. So, whether you’re still in high school or college, you’ll have access to a counselor that’ll advise you on the right ways to apply for college and where’s best for you. Don’t be scared to talk to them about your fears and ask their recommendations to help you. Contact us to learn more about counselors and what they can do for you.
Sophia Minhas
Madeleine Karydes