Private college counseling, once dominated by a relatively small number of independent advisers catering mostly to affluent high school students, has become a new growth center for corporate America. One way to address stress is information. The products range from Web-based admissions advice to multiweek seminars to individual counseling, at prices of about a hundred to a few thousand dollars. Both include a bit of individual counseling. Although most of the services have a short or nonexistent track record, they are already controversial among people in the admissions business, including skeptical college officials, high school counselors, and the traditional independent advisers with whom they compete.
Critics worry vocally about the sometimes minimal training and qualifications of the counselors.
They warn that some companies make extravagant claims about how many clients get into first-choice schools. Ironically, independent advisers like Jesse have fought long and hard to defend themselves against the same criticisms. If fast food is what Erin Horne got, she found it highly satisfying. I didn't know what to do first. We'd like to see her get into a good school.