What is the difference between a private consultant and a school counselor?

A school counselor handles hundreds of students at a time, which can limit the amount of time they can dedicate to each student. This also means that the relationship between a student and their counselor may not be as well developed as one that can be built up with a private consultant. A private consultant, on the other hand, works individually with a student and their family. Consultants build personal relationships with students, often after years of working together, to create a customized admissions strategy that is tailored to their needs and goals. 

Consultants also provide more availability and flexibility compared to a school counselor. Counselors are restricted to normal working hours and are likely unavailable throughout summer, which is an important period in the admissions process. Furthermore, schools typically begin preparation for college admissions late in a student’s junior year or senior year. In contrast, a private consultant will begin the process well in advance to ensure that a student is a competitive applicant.