Students with higher grades and test scores. For a higher caliber student, consultations with a private counselor can be very beneficial. Increased competition for admissions into highly selective schools have resulted in more families consulting with private counselors to get any advantage possible. Increased admission and scholarship opportunities, due to high grades in test scores, many times equates to a greater need to consult with a counselor to discuss direction and strategy.

The marginal student. The private counselor can be instrumental in working closely with this type of student. There are many colleges, including two-year institutions, which can provide this type of student a quality education. Many times the marginal student can underestimate their probability of getting into a 4-year institution. A competent college counselor can point the student to these types of institutions which are of high quality but less competitive.

Lack of student motivation. The quality counselor will be able to help students clearly understand their educational and career options. With tutoring, study skill help, and college counseling, the poorly-motivated student can become much more academically focused.

Last but not least..the undecided student. These students are usually academically sound but have had little guidance in the college selection and admission process. In most instances it is this student that can benefit the most from timely college counseling.