High school counselors often can't offer the personalized attention students need to get into the college of their dreams. And with non-college responsibilities, they may well not be experts in college admissions.
Exceptional independent college counselors strategically position students for admission to their dream universities. From the moment a student begins working with them, these counselors craft a personalized roadmap for the high school journey (or the remaining years of it). This includes selecting the most challenging courses, preparing for the right standardized tests, pursuing standout extracurriculars, building strong relationships for compelling letters of recommendation, showing demonstrated interest to target colleges, and much more.
Perhaps most importantly, top-tier college counselors help reduce the tension and pressure that often arise within families during the admissions process. Say goodbye to slammed doors and heated dinner table debates over essay topics—professional guidance brings clarity and calm.
But in our experience, most students grow to love the best college they're accepted into. That's why our primary focus is helping them gain admission to the most prestigious institutions their profiles can realistically support.
It's not that counselors who prioritize “fit” aren't effective—it's just that we see it as a softer approach. At Elite Ivy , our mission is clear: to help students get into their dream schools. Families who work with us can count on that goal being front and center in everything we do.
Not long ago, research showed that each public high school counselor was, on average, tasked with guiding nearly 300 students. Even in smaller schools, the ratio can be daunting. While many of these counselors care deeply about their students, the sheer volume of their workload—much of which has little to do with college admissions—makes it difficult for them to provide expert guidance on getting into top-tier universities.
And the picture isn't necessarily brighter at the country's top private schools. Even when the ratios are more favorable, counselors at elite prep schools often have their own biases. Some play favorites, advocating more strongly for students whose families are closely tied to the institution. Others may discourage students from applying to certain colleges, not because the students aren't qualified, but to limit internal competition among applicants.
Moreover, even at these prestigious schools, counselors rarely have the bandwidth to help students build unique extracurricular profiles that captivate admissions officers—or to revise multiple drafts of personal statements until they truly shine.
This is where private college counselors come in. A national survey conducted in 2013 found that about 26% of high-achieving high school students sought the guidance of private admissions consultants. In our view, that number likely falls short of reality—many students simply prefer not to admit they had help navigating the highly competitive college admissions process.
At Elite Ivy, we like to joke that we often end up working with siblings, frequently with cousins, but almost never with friends. Why? Because parents often prefer to share that their child got into a top university entirely on their own—and that's completely okay with us. Still, if over a quarter of high-performing students admitted to using private counseling services back in 2013, imagine how much that number has grown since.
Reach out to us at [your email] with subject line “New Student” to get started.