myUsearch blog

College counselors have a huge job to do, especially in larger high schools where they may be responsible for hundreds of students. Helping students get into college is often just one small part of a college counselor’s job. Think of it as being a 3-sport athlete while playing in the orchestra, taking five AP courses and doing ballet.  So, anything you can do to make their job easier helps both you and them.

Here are a few simple things you can do to help them help you to get into college:

1. Get to know your counselor before your senior year. If possible, make an appointment early on to meet with your counselor and talk about the types of classes you need to take to get into college.  Whenever you have a meeting, try to talk to him/her about the kinds of things you’re interested in and what you can be doing to explore those interests.
2. Attend college information sessions offered by your school.  Many of the questions you or your parents may have will be answered at these sessions.  Even if you don’t have any questions, I promise you will learn things there that you didn’t know before.
3. Do some college research on your own.  Counselors can provide much more help to you if you have already started investigating your college choices, as well as the requirements of those colleges.  If you tell a counselor about the schools you are interested in, he/she may be able to suggest other colleges you might like.  They may also have some insights that will help improve your chances of getting into colleges like those.
4. Get the things your counselor needs from you turned in early.  When it comes to helping you get into college, meeting the deadlines to submit materials like transcripts and recommendations in is very important for counselors.  In order for them to meet those deadlines, they need to have certain things from you such as a resume, senior information sheet or transcript request.  Getting those things to them well before the deadline the counselor helps them to do the best job for you.
5. Let your counselor know if you have any special needs.  The more your counselor knows about what you need, the more likely he/she may be able to help you find a college that has those things.  This includes special programs in the arts and resources for students with learning differences as well as any financial needs you may have in terms of paying for college.
6. Go directly to your counselor with your questions about college.  One of the most costly mistakes students make is to accept answers to their college questions from their friends or others.  When you have a question about, college the best person to go to is your college counselor.
7. Read and follow directions carefully.  There’s always a reason why your counselor asks you to do things in a certain way. The closer you can follow directions, the less likely you will run into a problem that may be difficult to fix.  This is true with your applications too!
8. Always be respectful.  Your college counselor is your ally when it comes to helping you get into college.  He/She can help you more easily if your relationship is a positive one rather than a contentious one.   He/She deserves your respect even when the college application process may become too complicated or frustrating to you.
9. Try to keep an open mind.  Counselors can be pretty insightful about the kind of school where their students will be most successful.  Consequently, they may ask you to consider a college you haven’t heard of or a program you hadn’t considered before. Before you write it off, take the time to check it out.  It really may be the perfect place for you.
10. Remember to say thank you.  Most college counselors put in many hours above and beyond what they are paid for and they do it to with the sole aim of helping you get into college.  A thank you is a small way to acknowledge all their work on your behalf.