Six years ago, I wrote this post about a college admissions advising firm sending families a letter that I and many other counselors believed preyed on the fear that’s become so common in college admissions. Six years later, they’re still sending out the very same letter, which can only mean that it’s effective at driving sales for this business.
Here’s how the letter (still) begins:
Families deserve to hear the truth about college admissions. Sometimes that truth hurts. No, Duke isn’t a safety school. Yes, that money you put in your student’s name could hurt your financial aid eligibility. It’s not likely you’ll raise your SAT score from 900 to 1400. Great counselors do a delicate dance, giving straight answers but still leaving kids feeling encouraged and excited about their next steps in life. It’s an art, and most counselors, especially those in the high schools, are very good at it.
But my advice, much like that company’s letter, has not changed in six years. Families, don’t trust a private college advisor, tutor, or test prep company whose pitch makes you feel scared, guilty, or inadequate, especially before they’ve even met you.
It takes both compassion and guts to look families in the eye and tell them the truth. But it takes neither to prey on college admissions fears for your own professional gain.
If you work for one of those firms, don’t you and your students deserve better?