Why a Mentor?

Why not a Guidance Counselor? (Even if they are the greatest free resources in education...)

As guidance counselors wear many hats, it is difficult for them to maintain expertise in any one area, or to give substantial time or individual attention to your child's college search. According to a 2004 survey conducted by the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, only 39% of counselors spend their time on college advising. In extreme cases, where high school student-to-counselor ratios surpass 500:1, counselors may have less than one hour per year to devote to college counseling for each student.

According to 2003 statistics, the national student-counselor ratio is 478-to-1. In California, the average is an astounding 951-to-1, in Washington 515-to-1 and in Oregon 473-to-1. The National Association of College Admissions Counselors and the American School Counselors Association both recommend a ratio of 250-to-1. By contrast, most independent college consultants work with about 20-50 students a year. Having a small caseload allows a Higher Education Mentor to spend enough time with each student to be able to personalize a program to best suit individual needs.

One of Your Biggest Investments
With the exception of buying a home, it is likely that your child's college education will be the second biggest investment you will make. Applying and selecting the “right” college is difficult; throw in a $40,000 a year price tag, and it all becomes very daunting. The advice of a college consultant generally increases the likelihood that an investment in your child's future will be well made. The Investment doesn't end with acceptance, after all you don't just buy a business and walk away do you?

What a Mentor, College Coach or Consultant Should Never do...
1) Write your essays or fill out your application forms
2) Charge you for the initial visit or interview
3) Market you to the admission officer of a college
4) Charge you for a Career or Skills Test
5) Pick a career or college major for you
6) Fail to provide a contract of services
7) Accept compensation from colleges for placement
8) Guarantee admission to a particular college
9) Write the guidance counselor recommendation letter
10) Schedule your college visits

The last question and your biggest concern...
What Services do they have to help you after you are accepted? It is great to have help to get into college, but what good are they if they cannot continue to provide support through student success programs and assistance. If you think the application and selection process to get in is tough, wait till you get in and need assistance. Most Universities and Colleges have to few staff to help the student population as they intend too.

The second part of this investment you are making is to not only get there, but to succeed once you arrive. An undergraduate education is just the start of a successful education and career.