15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a College Counselor

🎓 Background & Credentials

What is your background in college admissions or education?

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Are you a member of professional associations (IECA, HECA, NACAC)?

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How many students do you work with each year?

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💵 Pricing & Packages

What's included in your base package — and what costs extra?

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How do you bill for additional schools, essays, or hours?

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Do you offer hourly or a la carte services, or only packages?

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Are there discounts for siblings or group programs?

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📚 Services & Support

How do you help with essays? (Editing vs. writing — make sure it's ethical editing only!)

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Do you support financial aid forms (FAFSA, CSS Profile) or scholarship searches?

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Do you work with specialized situations (athletic recruiting, learning differences, international students)?

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⏰ Availability & Process

How often will we meet, and in what format (in-person, Zoom, hybrid)?

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What is your response time for questions during busy deadline season?

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How do you keep students — not just parents — engaged and responsible in the process?

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Do you guarantee admission to any school? (If yes → RUN!)

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Do you ever write essays for students instead of providing feedback? (If yes → Another red flag)

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Compare answers from at least 2–3 counselors before signing a contract. Transparency is key — and the best counselors will welcome your questions.

CollegeHound works alongside counselors — keeping everything organized so you can focus on strategy, not spreadsheets.

Our platform complements any counselor's guidance with automatic deadline tracking, document storage, and family collaboration tools.