How to Form a Good Relationship with Your College Counselor
How to Form a Good Relationship with Your College Counselor
One of the keys to your success in the college application process is forming good relationships with the adults supporting you. That includes your parents, teachers, mentors, and your high school college counselor. Getting to know your college counselor should be at the top of your priority list.She or he is a vital member of your team, and responsible for making sure colleges get the information they need to make an informed decision on your candidacy. In the near decade I spent as a college counselor in various high schools, I always appreciated the students who made time to develop a relationship with me.Admissions officers may reach out to your college counselor if they have questions about your file. Knowing my students well made it easier for me to advocate on their behalf and to help make sure that they had the best possible chance of gaining acceptance to their dream schools.Take advantage of the resources available to you in your college counseling office. Whether you attend a small private high school with a low student-to-counselor ratio or a large public school where you are one of hundreds of students under a counselor’s charge, forming a good relationship with your college counselor will have noticeable positive effects on your process.Let's take a look at some of the most important things you can do to get the most out of your relationship with your college counselor.
Be Proactive
Your college counselor can only be as helpful as you let her.Make at least three appointments:
- an appointment early in junior year,
- halfway through your junior year, and
- at the beginning of senior year at the very least so that you can form and maintain a game plan.
Especially if you attend a school where the college counseling office doesn’t have a lot of free time, being proactive can help you stand out from your peers. You are more likely to get your counselor’s undivided attention if you set meetings up in advance and take initiative.Not only will your college counselor appreciate this, you’ll actively hone skills critical for your future success.
Be Honest
Remember that your college counselor is on your team. She wants to help you succeed, but she needs complete and accurate information to do so. If there are limitations in place on your college search due to finances, family obligations, or any other reason, make sure your counselor knows that in advance.Your college counselor is not judging you based on your preferences or personal situation. The more I knew about my students, the easier it was for me to develop a personalized plan to assist them and to understand how to make the process as stress-free as possible.Getting to know your college counselor will create trust and understanding between the two of you. This will help ensure that your counselor can efficiently focus the time she spends thinking about how to guide you.
Assume Your Counselor Doesn’t Know You
More often than not, your college counselor will not have taught you in any classes. So, while he can see from your grades how well you’ve done academically, he won’t necessarily understand what kind of learner you are or what you’re passionate about outside of class.Your counselor will write a letter of recommendation on your behalf—the main goal of which is to tell your story.Create a resume and share it with your college counselor so they know your activities and what you are passionate about. Explain to him how you have grown over the last three to four years in high school. What have been your major challenges and accomplishments?The better your counselor knows you, the easier it will be for him to advocate for you. Don’t wait for a meeting to start this process.
Follow Through Diligently
Keep your meeting appointments. Nothing is more frustrating to a busy professional than wasting time.Be prepared with any assignments you’ve been asked to complete. Chances are your counselor has a lot on her plate. Chasing you down to help you shouldn't be one of them. If you miss a meeting or realize that you need to reschedule, follow up with your college counselor as soon as possible. Apologize for the inconvenience and make sure you have everything you were supposed to have ready in time for your next meeting.
Be Professional in Your Correspondences
Don't text or email your counselor like you would a peer. Practice professionalism—not only will your college counselor respect your approach, but you will gain important communication skills.Respond to your college counselor’s emails in a timely manner and within 48 hours at most—even if only to say that you'll follow up as soon as possible.On a similar note, have reasonable expectations on response times to your requests for help. If you email your counselor at 11 PM, she probably won't be able to properly respond when you pour into her office the following morning.
Do Your Own Research
If you have questions with easily discoverable answers on Google, Google them. Find as much information as you can on your own.I always appreciated the students of mine who took this step. It showed me that they were serious about their process and capable of helping themselves. It’s a lot easier to sing someone’s praises when they’ve proven to be on top of their game.It also allowed us to use our meeting times to focus on more important matters, making faster progress and creating better college applications.Be efficient during your meeting. If you only have limited access to one-on-one sessions with your counselor, get the most from every second by prioritizing your questions and discussion topics.In doing this you will build valuable self-help strategies and strengthen the independence you’ll need to thrive in college.
Say “Thank You”
This one should be obvious, but it unfortunately gets neglected too often.A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to prepare your application. Your counselor gives up her evenings and weekends writing letters of recommendation, revising essays, and thinking about how to help you succeed. Yes, it’s her job. But it’s also hard work and she deserves appreciation for doing it well.You don't have to buy gifts. However, it is important that you develop a habit of gratitude and show your appreciation for all that your counselor does for you.
Getting to Know Your College Counselor Will Make the Application Process Easier
Navigating the college process can be difficult. It’s certainly comprehensive. That’s why having a strong and supportive team behind you is essential.Your high school counselor should not be overlooked. Even if you can’t get as much time with him as you would like, you can maximize the benefits of this relationship by being prepared, professional, and proactive. The better you get to know your college counselor, the smoother your process will run.The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us