Do You Need a College Matchmaker?
If you’re like most students, the answer to that question is probably “yes”. If you’re wondering why, it’s simple - finding the right college is not always as easy as you think. Because there are so many factors you need to consider, having a little help can be a HUGE time-saver. A college matchmaker can help you identify and focus in on the schools that will meet your needs - and your budget.
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So, what is a college matchmaker exactly? Well, there are actually two types. There are online college search sites and independent college counselors.
College Search Sites - Since most students generally only know about a few colleges and universities, these free college matchmakers enable you to consider schools that you might not be aware of. These college search sites work by using the info you input to find the colleges that have everything you are looking for. However, not all college matchmakers are the same. I encourage you to check out this article on how to choose a college search site and try out several sites to see which one works best for you. Here’s a short list of some of my favorites:
This type of college matchmaker tends to work best if you’ve already given some thought to what I call the “deal breakers” - a short list of criteria essential to your college success. These may include things such as specific academic programs, disability support, size, cost, etc. Entering these essential factors into a college search site is likely to return a good list of schools for you to start with. From there, you can reduce the list according to your personal preferences.
Independent College Counselors - Because part of the job of this type of college matchmaker is to visit a wide variety of colleges, they can also recommend schools that offer the things you’re looking for. One of the many things they can do that a search engine can’t, is to give you some insight into the atmosphere of the school and the types of students who tend to do well there. Like an online college matchmaker, they are not all the same. While some specialize in helping students get into the most selective schools, most others work with a wide variety of students including students with learning disabilities, artists, actors, athletes, etc. The cost of working with these college matchmakers also varies widely across the country. However, the vast majority do not charge the exorbitant prices you often see quoted in the press. In fact, it is not uncommon to find independent college counselors volunteering in the community, as well as working with low-income students pro bono or for a minimal fee.
If you decide to work with an independent college counselor, it is important to choose one who belongs to a professional organization such as HECA or IECA. These organizations require that their members have completed a higher level of training in the field and adhere to a very strict code of ethics.
Have I convinced you that you need a college matchmaker? I hope so! Any other thoughts or suggestions? Leave a comment!
