I’ve been reading quite a few articles lately about parents complaining about the cost of college admissions advice, test preparation, and parent counseling. I have to wonder what are these parents expecting? Are they being promised things that the admissions professionsals can’t deliver?

So. I did my research. I found a common thread among the complaints and the promises. The so-called professionals were making promises that they could not guarantee:

• We guarantee your child will win thousands of dollars in scholarships
• We promise you that once you use our services, your child will be accepted at an Ivy League College
• If your child takes our college prep course they will make a perfect score on the SAT test
• We are the only ones who know the secrets of getting into college

As a parent, it’s your job to investigate before you spend your money. If they make promises that seem impossible to fulfill, then the odds are they can’t guarantee anything. It’s been my experience that only a handful of professionals truly know the admissions process well enough to guide you and your teen. If you choose to pay someone hefty fees to personally guide your teen, make sure they are members of reputable organizations and certified as a college admissions counselor.

According to a recent article in The New York Times:

“When you say things like, ‘We know the secrets of getting in,’ it kind of implies that it’s not the student’s ability,” said Mark H. Sklarow, executive director of the association, in Fairfax, Va. “It suggests that there’s some kind of underground code.”

….admissions officers say that no outsider can truly predict how a particular applicant might fare.

It’s always your choice on how you spend your money. Whether you choose to employ the services of an admissions counselor or you choose to gather all the information yourself and guide your teen yourself. You have to do what’s best for you and your teen. But remember, there are no guarantees. And there is no substitute for hard work, research and preparation.