The college admission process has become more complex and competitive than it was. Due to numerous factors, the process itself is a whole journey. Now, many students and parents prefer hiring a college admission consultant to successfully guide them through the whole college admissions process. As the number of consultants grows, there are many myths attached to their work. Some of which are not true. In this blog, we will take you through the top 10 myths about college admission consultants and take a look at what these professionals are really about.
Myth 1: They guarantee admission
If you look around and take opinions, you will hear from some parents or students that admission consultants guarantee admission in certain colleges and universities. The truth is that they cannot play the game for you; they just direct you to the right things. A reputable admission consultant will never guarantee admission to a college, especially to a known college. The admission process does not depend on the consultant, it depends on the grades, test scores, essays, interviews, qualities of the person applying for admission, and such factors. The job of the consultant is just to prepare you for all of it in the best possible way, so you secure maximum chances of getting admission in the desired college.
Myth 2: Consultants are only for the rich
Admission consultants work strategically so that students can secure maximum chances of admission in their desired college. Of course, some high-end consultants charge big from the clients, but that does not mean that consultants are only for the rich. Over the years, we can see the reliance of people on admission consultants. Some charge high, and others charge an affordable amount; they offer affordable plans, installments, and depend on admission, etc. Some consultants provide free resources for the students as well, both public and private, same goes for some NPOs and online platforms.
Myth 3: Admission consultants write your essays for you
An admission consultant will not write your admission essay for you. Instead, they provide you with expert college essay help by showing you the way to write, guiding you to make it professional, and polishing it as much as you can by editing and brainstorming. They just assist the students with their applications and supplemental essays for admission. Admission officers, at the same time, can easily spot if an essay is extra professional and polished.
Myth 4: Consultants keep inside links in colleges
Any such claim is unethical and misleading for many students. It is not ethical for the college as well to keep a back-door connection with consultants to secure admissions. A consultant’s work and chances of securing admissions for the students are solely based on their work expertise
and strategy. They know the patterns, systems, and requirements of college and how the process works, which allows them to apply for the students in a secure way that’s it!
Myth 5: You Only Need a Consultant If You're Applying to Ivy League Schools
Because Ivy League college applicants use consultants, it does not necessarily mean that consultants are of no help to others. Anyone can consult college admission consultants for admission in local colleges, as well, community colleges, so they can get a better idea, especially if they plan to get enrolled in a 4-year bachelor’s program later on. Consultants provide a structured guide to students of the right schools, scholarships, financial aids, and a list of colleges out there so students can make a calculated decision.
Myth 6: School Counselors Provide the Same Support
It is without a doubt true that it's not possible for a high school counselor to provide the same support as a professional college consultant can. This is because the workload for a high school counselor is way too much, and not all applicants get the right deal because of that. A college admission consultant provides a one-on-one service, with a high focus and time invested in the application for each individual they cater to.
Myth 7: Consultants Push Students Toward “Brand Name” Schools Only
Prestige may be a factor for some people, but professional consultants introduce many students and families to colleges that are lesser known in the world but they offer the right academics, budget and scholarships which is exactly what students are looking for.
Myth 8: Consultants Only Focus on Academics
College admissions are more than just academics and grades. Consultants guide students to acquire as much exposure as they can, building up their extracurricular profile, getting students into social work, internships summer plans. All of these lead to a better reflection of the student’s personality and passion, which is what admission officers look for rather than just the test scores of a person.
Myth 9: You Don’t Need a Consultant if You’re a Strong Student
Mostly, strong students are the ones who suffer when getting admission. This is because, despite the strong grades, there are other blind spots or opportunities they miss. An academically strong student can also benefit from financial aid/ scholarship. Some students apply to a few colleges just because they are strong students and miss out on chances of acceptance due to this. Consultants help students so they don’t make strategic errors and maximise the chances of admission.
Myth 10: It's Cheating to Use a Consultant
It is not true that hiring consultants and taking their help is cheating. In fact colleges do expect students to seek help and consultancy. Just like sportsmen hire coaches and musicians hire instructors, taking professional help is helpful and not cheating. It is essential to take professional help when making such important decisions about your life and future, so you end up in the right place, not in regrets, going through a doubtful journey. Help is key, authenticity, and genuine effort are what colleges look for in a student.
