College counselors are divided into two categories. One works with college-bound high school students and others who want to begin or continue their education in college. The other type of college counselor works on campuses, providing guidance and assistance to students who are already enrolled in a degree program.
It can be difficult for a high school student to narrow down a list of possible colleges to the handful or so that the student will actually apply to. It can be difficult to find the school that offers the best program for a student’s future career goals, which is why many parents prefer to work with a college counselor. A college counselor can assist a student with college selection, application completion, letter of recommendation gathering, and college essay completion. The majority of high school counselors are also college counselors. A private, or independent, college counselor can also be hired by parents.
An independent college counselor, hired by the student’s family, has the goal of getting the student into the best college for him. High school counselors do the same job as middle school counselors, but they may have less time to spend with each student individually. Both types of pre-college counselors, on the other hand, can guide a student through the entire college application process, from taking the SATs to submitting the final paperwork for admission and registration.
Once a student has graduated from high school, he or she will work with a different type of college counselor. It’s not unusual for a new student to struggle to adjust to college life. There are more responsibilities and a great deal more autonomy. There could also be issues with other students or other concerns that a student would like to discuss with a counselor.
On-campus college counselors can also assist students with their career goals. They might help a student research and apply for graduate programs, or they might work with a student to find a job in their chosen field. This could include assisting students with course selection as well as academic skills.
Having the right support and a trusted adviser to talk to when a student has questions can make a big difference in a student’s decision to go to college. It can also influence the likelihood of a student completing his degree with a high GPA (grade point average). College counselors can make a big difference in a student’s life, whether they’re working with high school or college students.