The college application process can be a stressful and frustrating time for many students. In the past few years, more and more students have begun hiring ‘college admissions experts,’ more commonly known as college coaches. These experts help students stay organized, choose which colleges to apply to and perfect their college essays. Though it can be expensive, hiring a college coach may benefit students needing help on a variety of steps in the college process.  

“Those who need help refining their list of colleges, generating ideas and editing essays, keeping on top of deadlines or with interviews benefit from working with a coach,” said Amy White, a college coach in the Westford area.    

White has helped multiple students go through the college process. In the past, she worked in college admission and as a college counselor at a private high school, but is now working on privately helping students in her first year as a private college coach. 

Some college coaches have students meet them at an office and others travel to the students for a session. However, other coaches, including White, travel to a mutually convenient meeting place, often a Starbucks. Some even Skype with students for a session, so if a student is unable to find a college counselor in their area, they could find one online to help them.

Students can seek help from a college coach for a variety of reasons. Some may need help with the college process, essays, staying organized and other areas of interest.

“Different students have different needs so I don’t have a set protocol,” said White. “Some of the things that I have worked with students include: discussing the college process, creating a college list and adding reasonable college choices, practicing interviews, helping generating ideas for and editing essays.”

Senior Kayla Murphy has worked with a college coach since her junior year of high school and has found working with one extremely helpful.

“A college coach helps pick a list of schools that are personalized for you. They look at your grades, what region you want to go to school in, the size of the school basically any characteristics there is about schools. During the application process, they help write the essay and any supplement essays as well,” said Murphy. “A college coach takes a lot of stress off the college process.”

Depending on the college counselor’s schedule and the amount of time the session remains productive, most sessions last anywhere from a half hour to 90 minutes.

The cost of a college consultant can vary and may be charged on an hourly basis, or as a package deal covering multiple sessions. According to White, most private counselors can cost anywhere from 60 to 100 dollars per hour. A recent CNN article states that some websites have a package starting 2,000 dollars for coaches found on College Coach, a website where students can go to find a counselor to work with.

In addition to College Coach, there are many websites, such as Ivy Coach featuring college coaches in the area, or coaches across the country who prefer to Skype with their clients. Some websites feature college coaches who specialize in essay editing, while others deal with many aspects of the college process.

English teacher Russell Coward has noticed that the use of college coaches among students has become fairly prevalent in recent years. When reviewing seniors’ college essays, he usually notices when a student has had some outside help from a college coach.

“Generally speaking the essay exhibits much better grammar and structure than what the student would normally write, and sometimes even address subject matter that I wouldn’t suggest addressing,” said Coward.

Working as a college coach, White believes that the college process can be empowering for students and she enjoys helping them gain confidence in their applications.

“I work to help students feel proud of the application they are submitting and confident they would be happy to attend every college on their list – whether it is a safety or a reach,” said White.

The college process can be stressful, so for some students, getting a college coach can help ease their stress and refine their application to improve their chances for acceptance.

“Through the process I see students gain confidence and seem happier. […] They are very proud of the applications they submit and are excited about the prospect of attending any of the colleges on their list,” said White.