A school counselor works for your teen’s school at no cost to you and handles course planning, graduation progress, college and career readiness, school records and student well-being. An independent educational consultant is hired privately by a family for more individual time on school searches, college lists, applications or placements. Many families rely on the counselor alone. A mentor does neither job; they help your teen follow through each week.
What a school counselor does
School counselors are employed by the school or district, and their exact duties vary by state and school. Most cover some mix of:
- Course selection and checking progress toward graduation requirements
- College and career planning, including information on testing, applications and financial aid
- Sending transcripts and, for many college applications, a school report or counselor recommendation
- Support for students who are struggling academically, socially or emotionally, and referrals to outside help
- Coordinating with teachers and families, sometimes including 504 plans
Counselors often support many students at once, so individual time can be short, especially in busy seasons. Our guide to working with the school counselor covers how to get the most from them.
What an independent educational consultant does
An independent educational consultant works for the family, not a school, and charges a fee. Services vary widely. Some focus on one area; others cover several:
- Building a college list and planning application timelines
- Searching for independent or boarding schools (see private high school admissions)
- Finding specialized programs for a teen who is struggling (see school options for a struggling teen)
- Planning a gap year, a transfer or a return to school
There is no single required license for this work, so ask about training, experience, professional association membership and fees, in writing, before you commit. Be cautious of anyone who promises an acceptance.
Side by side
- Who they work for: the counselor works for the school; the consultant works for your family.
- Cost: the counselor is free to families; the consultant charges a fee.
- Time: the counselor shares time across many students; a consultant usually has a smaller caseload.
- Official role: only the school can send transcripts and the school’s documents to colleges.
- Scope: the counselor knows your school’s courses and policies; a consultant may know a wider range of schools and programs.
Do you need both?
Many students get through high school and into college with the school counselor alone. A consultant tends to make more sense when:
- You are searching for a boarding, independent or specialized school and need help comparing options (see starting boarding school)
- Your teen has complex needs and you are weighing programs outside a typical school
- You want more individual time on applications than the counselor can give
- You can afford the fee and have checked the consultant’s background
If you hire a consultant, the counselor still matters. Share what the consultant suggests and keep the counselor informed, so your teen hears one plan instead of two.
Getting the most from either one
- Write your questions down before each meeting.
- Let your teen send the follow-up emails; it is good self-advocacy practice.
- Keep one shared calendar of deadlines so nothing depends on memory.
- Ask, at the end of every meeting, what the next step is and who owns it.
Where a mentor fits alongside both
A mentor is not a counselor or a consultant and gives no advice on schools, lists, essays or admissions. What a mentor does is help your teen act on the plan the counselor or consultant set: breaking it into weekly steps, keeping deadlines and building the routines that make school manageable. Parents join the intro call, agree the goals and get regular updates. See mentoring support for families, and if you already work with a consultant, share our page for educational consultants with them. Browse more in our education guides.
Related
- Types of schools explained
- For school counselors
- High school to college calendar
- College academic advisor vs mentor
Common questions
Is an independent educational consultant worth the cost?
It depends on your situation. Families searching for specialized schools or programs often find it useful, while many students do well with the school counselor alone. Compare fees, experience and references first.
Will a consultant replace my teen’s school counselor?
No. The school counselor still sends transcripts and school documents and knows your school’s policies. The two work best when they share information.
Can a mentor help with college applications?
A mentor does not advise on lists, essays or strategy. A mentor can help your teen keep up with the deadlines the counselor or consultant set.
How do I reach my teen’s school counselor?
Check the school website or call the front office. Email works well for scheduling a meeting.
Get started
Want weekly support for your teen alongside the counselor? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.