5 reasons to work with an independent counselor

Saying the phrase “independent counselor” to a group of parents is a bit like a Rorschach test. Some people are completely unfamiliar with the concept and how it’s different from their high school guidance counselor. Some people used one for their older child, or when they were going through the process, and can’t imagine not working with one. And most people fall somewhere in the middle. There’s no question that the college application process has gotten more complex, demanding, and stressful in recent years. Even so, not every family needs an independent counselor to help them navigate this process successfully. But here are 5 reasons you might.
 
1. You don’t want to be the bad guy.
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Think about your child doing homework every night. Is it a relatively calm experience where she takes the reins and comes to you only when she needs help? Or are you the project manager, asking about deadlines and assignments, nagging your child to follow up with their teacher, and doing a daily review of SchoolLoop to keep track of their grades?
 
Applying to college is like one big homework assignment, with a dozen different deadlines, big and small pieces, and occasionally very little instruction. For some parents, this sounds like a fun activity to sink their teeth into for a few years. But for many others, they can already feel the strain this will introduce into every family dinner and every car ride home from school. An independent counselor is just that, independent of you and your family. They can be the one making sure things are getting done (and explaining the consequences when they don’t). They can be the one pushing your child, so you can encourage them, console them, and ultimately celebrate with them. Independent counselors do this job full-time, so you don’t have to.
 
Next: Reason #2 - Your child doesn't know what to write his essay about