Private College Consultants Spark New Trend

High school seniors across the country are filling out college applications – and may have more help than ever in the past. Instead of primarily relying on guidance counselors for researching schools and perfecting essays, many are hiring private consultants to find the best place for them.

Private college consulting is "definitely a trend... and on the upswing," according to Paul Partridge, the co-founder of Complete College Planning Solutions, a private consulting firm based in Springfield. His firm recently held a workshop at the Summit YMCA, where about 80 parents attended to learn more about the company's services.

"Last spring 40 to 50 people came to each workshop, now we're seeing 60 or 70," he said. "More and more people are doing this."

According to the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), 26 percent of 1,264 students surveyed (all who scored at least 1150 out of 1600 on the SAT) hired an independent educational consultant to assist with the college process.

Carolyn Mulligan, the owner of Insiders Network to College, a private consulting firm based in Summit, believes the rise in assistance could be tied to the eradication of the thought that private firms are elitist and expensive.

"From what I see I think private consultants are more accepted by colleges than they used to be," she said. She also mentioned that consultants are also becoming well respected within the high school guidance community.

John Schnedeker, the director of guidance at Summit High School, said that there were both legitimate and illegitimate reasons why families look for private consultants to assist with the difficult process.

While Summit High has a comprehensive college planning process that begins as early as when students are in the eighth grade, some families might need more one-on-one time than the guidance department can seemingly give.  Private consultants can also assist with parent-child communication that can break down amongst the process, and can assist families with financial issues that require more attention.

Schnedeker did warn that some families mistakenly look for consultants that flaunt a "connection," where some firms promise students that they can get them into specific schools. Both Mulligan and Partridge both agreed that families should research carefully before signing up with a consultant.

"I guess people can throw on their site, 'Well, I got 15 people into the Ivy's,' that doesn't mean anything to me," said Mulligan. She advises that families look for credentialed consultants that are backed by accredited associations like the IECA or the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), and have an educational background in counseling.

"You can't get people into places," she said. "Red flags go up."

There's also a myth that private consulting can break the bank. Some nationally known consultants can make upwards of $30,000 for their services, Mulligan said that's not the case for local firms.

"It's nothing like that," she said. "Most counselors don't charge anything like that."

According to Mulligan, most consultants either charge per hour or a flat fee for a myriad of services. Families can take advantage of the whole package, or sign up for certain services, like essay help, for example.

Her Web site lists the services she has, which include assisting students with researching programs and colleges, honing interviewing skills, and application preparation. Students can also receive assistance in resume preparation and have access to their student profile: a binder that is specific to each student that has standardized testing dates, advice for visiting colleges and sample interview questions.

Partridge's company, Complete College Planning Solutions, not only has six counselors to assist families with student services, but he also works with parents to take full advantage of financial aid and scholarships. The company's Web site, even has a blog that features free advice, along with a scholarship search engine.

"There's more competition to get in," he said. "More competition to get the money."

While private consultants do assist students with their college preparation, success depends on the student, according to both Mulligan and Partridge.

"We don't write the essays for the kids," said Partridge. "We don't do the application."

While quantifying success can be difficult, Mulligan said it's very individual, and based on whether every client finds the best match for them. Either way, using a private consultant for the college process is a personal decision.

Mulligan just hopes to "widen people's vision a little bit."