Here are answers to questions lots of people have.
You are also welcome to contact us or schedule a free 45 minute consultation if you don’t see your question here.
I have a high school guidance counselor, why do I need anyone else?
High school counselors are amazing people with big hearts in our experience. But the average California public school counselor is assigned anywhere from 400-1000 students to counsel. These students range from college-bound to students dealing with some scary home situations.
There just aren’t enough hours in a day to give every student the attention they deserve, and frankly, those struggling with health and safety issues have to take priority. SCA offers the time, personal attention, and expertise your guidance counselor would if only they could.
Parent: “I applied to college on my own and was fine. Why should it be any different now?”
Times have changed! Applying to college isn’t as easy as it used to be and costs a whole lot more too. Yes, driven, organized, and unstressed students can and do apply to college independently. But they will miss opportunities to find a school that provides a transformative experience for college, and it will be far more stressful.
SCA knows the right questions to ask and what colleges are looking for in an applicant. SCA can also free parents from the nagging and arguments that often accompany the application process. Finally, because we work hard to match students with the right schools, students only apply to schools that make sense, saving time, stress, and money.
Applications are not due until senior year. Why should we start earlier?
Colleges look at the curriculum, grades, and extra-curricular activities for all four years of high school. Meeting with an SCA staff member in senior year will assist with the applications, but we can’t change the past. Meeting with an SCA counselor earlier in your high school career is a proactive approach that provides opportunities to make conscious beneficial choices along the way. These choices may offer a competitive advantage in the application process.
Will you guarantee I will be accepted to college or a specific school?
No. And if anyone tells you they can, run the other way! Our goal is to help you present yourself in the most appealing way to schools you would like to attend. After that, the schools themselves have complete control over the decision. Working with SCA, you will identify schools that are academically and socially suited to you. Not your best friend, not your parent, just you.
Using our research, expertise, and years of experience, we will honestly tell you which schools are your reach schools, 50-50 chances, and high probability schools. Not everyone will have this same mix or same schools. But in all our years of doing this, every one of our students has had options to attend college.
How much do your services cost, and how many hours do people typically need?
We offer every potential client a 45-minute introductory meeting at no charge. After that, our comprehensive all-inclusive package is $5000. Payment plans are available. We expect to spend at *least* 40 hours working on behalf of your student. Sometimes as many as 60 hours depending on the student’s writing abilities, special needs, athletics, talents, and other factors.
This includes researching colleges, meetings with the student and family, brainstorming, reading and editing essays, advising on testing options, evaluating financial aid packages, coaching for interviews, providing parent updates, creating timelines, and whatever else pops up. We also follow “our” kids and check in with them during their first term in college, so if they have bumps in the road (a normal part of growing up), we can direct them to the right campus resources.
Think that is a lot? Kids will have to invest *more* effort for optimal results. Visiting colleges takes a lot of time. Writing and finalizing essays, asking for letters of recommendation, and just filling out the paperwork for the tests, applications, and FAFSA will devour crazy amounts of time. And this is in addition to the regular activities of a school year.
For specific tasks, such as essay review or interviewing coaching, hourly rates may be available. Please inquire about availability and rates.
My local community college offers two years for free. Why apply to a more expensive four-year school?
Community Colleges may be the right choice, but be sure you are considering all the pros and cons before you make your choice. For instance, community colleges are well suited to transferring to a public university. The credits transfer fairly easily, especially if the students pay careful attention to their class choices and participate in the Transfer Agreement Program.
However, only a limited number of schools agree to accept transfer students, and there are no promises about which ones will accept you. Also, ask what percentage of students actually transfer, as the last national data we could find was under 20%. Once students arrive at their transfer school, they must learn to navigate an entirely new system, don’t share the experiences and friendships other students do, and may find the adjustment difficult.
In addition, private schools take far fewer transfers, and not all of the academic credits may count. Picking the right four-year school from the start can be a life-changing experience, full of four years of opportunities, in and out of the classroom, that will help you become the person you are meant to be. Cost can’t always be measured in dollars alone but also in lost opportunities.
I don’t know what I want to study. Should I still apply to college?
Yes. Honestly, at 18, it is ridiculous to expect anyone really knows what they want to do for the rest of their life. There are SO many careers you aren’t even aware of. What college teaches you is how to think, ask the right questions, challenge your assumptions, and communicate well.
Those are skills that will serve you in any profession. Even those who attend college “knowing” what they want to study or do often change by graduation. You will likely discover your interests in college, don’t worry about bringing them with you. Open minds can see opportunities where others only see a means to an end.
Is college worth the cost anymore?
Probably. Data shows the higher the level of education, the higher the lifetime earnings. HOWEVER – The right question is actually, “is college worth going into debt, and, if so, how much?” We definitely advise families to consider the average debt at graduation as a guide and provide resources on where to find that information. We also advise students how to increase the odds of getting merit aid – but you have to give up the idea of a super selective brand name school. This isn’t compromising or settling, this is securing an excellent education while buying future opportunities because you won’t carry crippling debt.
My name is Holly McCord Duncan and I am a college expert.
I am a former admission officer, have a Master’s in college student development, and more than 20 years of higher education experience. Let me put your worries to rest. Schedule your free consultation in the form below, and let me show you how to reduce your stress.
I can find the right school where your kid will THRIVE, not just survive.
Check out these topics to learn more!
These Are LOTS of My Favorite Things!
This is an ever-evolving list and is almost entirely outside links. This results from curiosity, nerdiness, and a bit of obsession (ok, maybe more than a tad!) I receive no compensation or benefits from any of these sites and make no guarantees of their content. My official disclaimer in this litigious society is that you…
I Go Through the Application Process Annually – Here Is What I Wish Families Knew.
For parents starting the process of college searching here is some perspective from a former college admission officer and current independent college counselor. You go through this process once or twice for most people. I go through it annually. Stellar Students and Highly Rejective SchoolsYou may have that student who has straight As in highly…
College Workshops – New dates added!
(Imagine an image of Phineus and Ferb here, I didn’t want to get sued by Disney!) Financial Aid 101, The Less Stressful Journey To College, Strengths Finder Assessment, How to Build A College List, How To Write Essays! Understanding Financial Aid is the foundation of the college financial aid world. I provide tools to help…