I understand your feelings since you are a high school counselor. I am sorry that high school counselors often feel threatened by what I say. I think the main culprit are schools of education that develop the master’s degree programs that public school counselors must take. These program usually don’t include even one college planning course. I find that a national scandal.

This is a sensitive subject, but when I talk privately with admission staff at colleges they agree with me. They are shocked at the low level of knowledge of high school counselors.

Lynn O’Shaughnessy

Education: While many of us are currently enrolled in Masters Programs or even finished our programs, certain necessities should be incorporated into the curriculum to contribute to the experience factor. I think it should be mandatory to join a national organization (i.e. NACAC, ACA, or any other organization in that person’s territory. That way they can learn about current counseling issues/trends and even network with other counselors in the industry. I learn so much from others and how other school districts work through the College Process. If they could not join an association there is plenty of local colleges that offer speakers that are open to the public possibly for a fee but could be another avenue to learn and become involved in all aspects of college counseling. There are websites that are great as well with articles only referencing college related issues/topics.

The economic and socio-economic class is also a major factor. Personally, I am experiencing a travel ban in my district. This prohibits me from attending college tours for counselors alone, information sessions and financial aid sessions etc. This really hinders my social factor as well as my education factor. That is a huge hindrance to my personal success as a counselor. The best part of these trips is first hand knowledge and actually seeing the campuses in full swing, sitting in on a class and talking with current students etc. This economy has trickled down for all of us involved. I cant even attend day trips either as I am not aloud out of the building. This has been challenging. Also, schools with more money have ability to do more outreach.

Overall, Karen counselors are expected to do a lot. Administrators’ and parents don’t have an idea of how much we need to learn and know. There are over 4000 schools out there offering many different programs, aid, scholarships, etc. Plus, many other responsibilities’. I do agree that over time you learn more. Plus, each school has its own process and parents are very involved most of the time (helicopter parents). Each school counselor I have come in contact with has a caseload well over its average number. Counselors should be given thanks.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments about high school counselors’ lack of knowledge regarding college issues. While I applaud the counselors who do receive additional education through such sources as NACAC and its regional affiliate organizations, as well as the UCLA college counseling program, too few are taking the time to become educated.

I think it is very sad indeed that your efforts to educate counselors has fallen flat as counselors would apparently rather not take the time to become knowledgeable.

Lynn O’Shaughnessy

Thank you for your article. Fortunately for me I received training in college admissions counseling, financial aid and college admissions assesments, working for college preparatory programs as a under graduate. These experiences have helped me tremendously and I have been able to help in various ways (Admissions and Financial Aid workshops, one on one counseing with parents and students etc..)

I was also fortunate to run a college and career center prior to working as a counselor.

What I have found is that all though my experience is vast, it often goes ignored on campus by my colleagues. I have often invited counselors on campus to attend workshops with me that are either free or low cost and are great training opportunities. And most of them have turned these opportunities down.I feel that most if not all of them (my colleagues)are intimidated or have very little knowledge of the admissions process.

Intimidation and lack of experience should never be the deciding factors that prevent any counselor from giving sound and thorough advice. And the training available may be more prevelant in different areas of the country. But any opportunity is invaluable.

The College Board, Princeton Review and many state financial aid offices provide great training opportunities that are free or low cost. Both 2 and 4 year colleges provide counselor workshops as well. And NACAC puts on a great college fair offered nationwide. Volunteer opportunities on college campuses are also useful. I volunteered at a community college in both the transfer center and the financial aid office during the summer. Here in California, UCLA offers a college counseling certificate through university outreach, for working professionals.

Let’s not let the opportunity to educate ourselves pass by. Let’s not be intimidated. Let’s get educated. The ignorance of a poorly prepared counselor can cost even the most properly prepared student dearly, if given the wrong guidance. I wish you well and I really enjoyed your insightful article.

Perhaps your private business has been saturated with clients dissatisfied with the work at your local school district’s counseling programs. However, I would argue that the reverse of what you claim could be said about private educational consultants as well. For every disgruntled parent/student of a school counselor, I could give equal examples of disgruntled parents/students of private consultants. And… because you brought it up, I wish I had a dime (dollar in this economy) for every private consultant who asked their client to go to back to their school counselor and ask them to process an application, write a letter of rec, help them with a scholarship application, set up a visit with a college rep, register them for an ACT or SAT, etc…a cooperative effort that, in my opinion should remain cooperative.

You mention that an educational consultant in Buffalo told you that “it usually takes four or five years of these informal apprenticeships before counselor feel comfortable.” I guess I am not sure what is meant by “informal apprenticeships”? I have not experienced a new counselor going through an “informal apprenticeship”. That sounds like an internship to me. I would agree that it does take time for a new counselor to get acclimated to the job. But by no means does it take the five years suggested. If it takes that long, they have hired the wrong counselor. Again, in my experience, a well trained counselor is up and running confidently within the first year, to year and a half. Maybe my district has been fortunate to attract candidates who are quick learners. Perhaps that’s the case.

What you choose to write about in your opinion piece is your prerogative (as it should be). I appreciate that you opened it up to the public. You certainly are not “hiding” from your claims/beliefs. However, please be prepared to hear the other side on this one. Not every family can afford to turn a deaf ear to their guidance counselor because they heard from someone who knows someone that “their counselors don’t know much about college”… The odds are that they do (in my opinion) and if they don’t, they can walk the student five steps, to a more experienced counselor who does “know much about college”.

Thanks for hearing the other side. I look forward to following your story and “tweets”. You have a bundle of resources for families; your work certainly does not go unnoticed nor under appreciated by the likes of me.