College counseling services include receiving help with preparing essays, choosing a career path, applying to colleges, and adjusting to college life. If your child recently began high school and you would like to get a head start on navigating their educational future, consult with a college counselor.
An In-School Or Independent Counselor
A college counselor may work directly on a high school or college campus or independently through a separate entity. A counselor who consults with students at a high school may provide more in-depth assistance than a guidance counselor or be focused primarily on the admissions part of a student's college career.
Beginning counseling sessions early will provide you and your child with some guidelines that can be followed throughout high school, which may strengthen your child's ability to be accepted at the college of their choice.
You may be concerned that your child's courseload isn't well-rounded or that they aren't participating in enough extracurricular activities to be deemed a good fit by a college admissions officer. A counselor will look over your child's schedule and current grades, to determine if your loved one is on track with setting the groundwork for being accepted at a university.
The Admissions Process
A counselor can help your child narrow down their college choices and prepare an essay for each one that is of interest. Because it can be intimidating to prepare an essay without any assistance, your teen may be more apt to focus on each essay and put forth their best work if they receive guidance with each written requirement.
If you are uncertain about how you will pay for your child's education, a counselor can offer some financial options that may alleviate all or some of your worries. Seeking federal grants and applying for scholarships will be explained to you through a counseling consultation.
A counselor who works on a college campus will be able to aid your child, once they have been accepted at a university and have begun their college career. Many students have difficulties when they first transition from being dependent upon their parents or guardians to being independent and living on a college campus.
The struggles associated with meeting new people and familiarizing oneself with new surroundings can make it difficult for a student to focus or feel comfortable at a new school. A counselor is trained to listen to a student's issues and help them seek solutions that will provide them with confidence.
