With the rising costs of higher education and the increasing competitiveness of the university admissions process, many families are turning to career and admissions counsellors for guidance. But is hiring a counsellor worth the investment?
Why Is a Career and Admissions Counsellor Needed?
Paying for university is one of life’s biggest financial hurdles. With the average annual tuition fee for private universities in the US exceeding $53,000, and out-of-state colleges averaging over $28,000, the overall costs can easily exceed $200,000 over four years. Similarly, attending top universities in the UK, such as Oxford or Cambridge, can cost upwards of £26,000 (approximately $34,000 USD) per year. In Canada, attending top universities like the University of Toronto or McGill University can cost around CAD 50,000 (approximately $38,000 USD) per year. In Australia, attending top universities like the University of Melbourne or the University of Sydney can cost around AUD 40,000 (approximately $28,000 USD) per year.
According to Muhammad Janjua, a seasoned Career & Admissions Counsellor with Advizers, “Students need personalized guidance to successfully navigate this complex and increasingly competitive process. School counsellors are an excellent resource, but unfortunately, in many instances, they’re stretched thin beyond their control.”
Benefits of Hiring a Career and Admissions Counsellor
There are many possible benefits of paying for a career and admissions counsellor to guide your child through the university application process. According to Janjua, “A good counsellor can help students identify their strengths, passions, and goals, and develop a tailored strategy to achieve them.”
University counsellors provide guidance. Without proper guidance, Janjua says students risk choosing a school for all the wrong reasons, such as size, popular ranking lists, and other general characteristics. “You should choose the places that are best for you. These may or may not be the same places as where your family or friends went or want to go,” notes Janjua.
University counsellors focus on the student’s needs. When considering schools, Janjua says it’s essential to look at where a student will thrive and find the right balance between academics and social life. “Ideally, you’ll attend a school where you’ll be happy, where you’ll feel comfortable, and where you can see yourself growing and changing in all the ways we hope you will over the next four years,” says Janjua.
What Does a Career and Admissions Counsellor Do?
According to the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), a professional educational consultant works with students and their families throughout every step of the university process, including high school curriculum planning, university selection, exams, applications, essays, majors, and financial aid.
How University Counsellors Help Families
With thousands of universities around the world, there’s a lot of information to sift through, and a knowledgeable university counsellor can help narrow the field down. A university counsellor can help students crystalize goals and prospective career paths before selecting a program.
A study published by the National Center for Education Statistics estimates that about 1 in 10 students change their major more than once, which can ultimately end up costing students and their families extra time and money. A university counsellor can help reduce the tension that can arise between parents and children by bringing in someone from outside the family structure who can objectively help with the process.
Should You Interview Consultants?
Due to the diversity in personality traits and specialties, Mark Sklarow, CEO of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), recommends interviewing two to three consultants over the phone to get a sense of what they’re about before narrowing it down and making a final selection.
What to Look for in a Career and Admissions Counsellor
Things to look for in a consultant include how knowledgeable and current they are about admissions processes, how many university campuses they’ve visited, and what they’re doing to learn about various universities. Other questions Sklarow suggests asking include how long they’ve been working as an educational consultant and what they did before becoming one.
Are University Advising Costs Worth It?
Though it may seem pricey, working with a career and admissions counsellor can ultimately prevent attending the wrong university for all the wrong reasons or overspending and ending up with thousands of dollars in school loans, says Sklarow.
According to Janjua, “A good counsellor can help students develop a compelling personal brand, craft a strong university application, and make informed decisions about their academic and career goals.” By investing in a career and admissions counsellor, families can give their students the best possible chance of success in the university admissions process.
How Much Does a University Consultant Cost?
Depending on where you live and the level of engagement you’re looking for, Sklarow says that, on average, hiring a university consultant costs around $5,000. However, this cost can vary significantly depending on the consultant’s experience, location, and services offered. Some consultants may charge hourly rates, which can range from $100 to $300 per hour, while others may offer package deals or comprehensive services for a flat fee.
Is Hiring a Career and Admissions Counsellor Worth the Investment?
While there is no guarantee of admission to a top-choice university, working with a career and admissions counsellor can significantly improve a student’s chances. By investing in a counsellor, families can give their students the best possible chance of success in the university admissions process.
According to Janjua, “A good counsellor can help students develop a compelling personal brand, craft a strong university application, and make informed decisions about their academic and career goals.” By working with a knowledgeable and experienced counsellor, students can navigate the complex university admissions process with confidence and achieve their academic and career aspirations.
