As if the high cost of college tuition isn’t enough these days, consider the fact that some parents are also investing in the services of a college admissions consultant to increase the odds that their children will be accepted into the school of their choice.

A good college admissions consultant really serves as a middleman, helping high school students to determine which colleges are a good fit for their interests and strengths and advising them on how to come across well throughout the admissions process. While the cost of such guidance doesn’t come cheap, some families feel it is a worthwhile investment to help set their child on the path to success.

The Need for This New Breed

The competition to get into top colleges and universities today is tougher than ever before, as growing numbers of high school students vie for a limited number of spots, especially at Ivy League schools and other private colleges. One expert estimates that only one (or even fewer) of every five college applicants is actually accepted into the school of his or her choice. This leaves a large number of students stuck with rejection slips. Some families are willing and determined to avoid this scenario at any expense. That’s where the role of the college admissions consultant comes in.

Generally, parents seek out the help of a college admissions consultant when their child is in his or her sophomore or junior year. At this time, the consultant can serve as a valuable resource by suggesting a handful of well-chosen schools for the child to consider. The consultant can also groom the student for admissions interviews, as well as help review applications and accompanying essays and suggest strategic approaches to sharpen the presentation. Further, some college admissions consultants also help students to access a wide range of other key services, including classes or private tutoring to help them prepare for the SAT and other admissions tests, and valuable financial aid information.

Of course, lots of this information can be accessed and arranged by parents directly, but for some busy families, letting someone else manage the college application process minimizes the stress of the situation and makes it more manageable.

There are also some parents who simply can’t wait until their child is old enough to apply for college before they seek the help of an expert. They actually solicit a college admissions consultant’s services as early as when their child enters middle school. The hope is that by getting an expert involved at such an early stage, he or she can play an influential role in ensuring that the youngster makes all of the “best” choices—in coursework, extracurricular activities, study-abroad opportunities and involvement in community service over the next few years. The strategy of positioning such well-rounded details can make the student stand out when his or her time to apply finally comes.

Worthwhile Expertise, or Unnecessary Expense?

You may wonder what qualifications a college admissions consultant brings to the position and whether an expert honestly offers anything you and your child can’t accomplish on your own. There is no real answer. A lot depends on what you want from a consultant, how much you are willing to spend on this quest for admission and whom you turn to for such guidance. The range of experience that these private counselors hold varies a great deal. Further, at this time there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of specific requirements or training that is standard for this field. Nonetheless, if you are convinced that a college admissions consultant is a must for your child, the trick is to be savvy when you interview candidates and to use your best judgment to determine whether they have something to offer that will give you a true benefit for the expense.

Keep in mind that the most respected admissions consultants are often those who have hands-on experience themselves, serving as admissions officers or faculty members at private colleges. This usually means that they likely will be effective at working with students and knowing what factors will make someone most successful in the academic setting. They will also be experienced at reviewing applications and deciding just who should get in and why. This insider information, some parents feel, can offer just enough of an edge to help differentiate their son or daughter from among other, similarly qualified students.