According to the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the average high school student only receives about 38 minutes a year in college planning time with their high school counselor. How can that be? you might be thinking. They should be spending more time with students.
Indeed, most school counselors agree! Unfortunately, as with many professions, over time they have been saddled with more work beyond social-emotional counseling and post-secondary planning. Test administration, state reporting, program coordinating, and many other important jobs often fall on their shoulders.
Another issue? Sheer numbers. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends a counselor-to-student ratio of no more than 250:1 so that counselors can provide quality attention to all of their students. However, the national average is an almost-double 482:1, and in my state, Indiana, it’s even higher (543:1). While high school counselors are awesome, they often just can’t guide students through the application process effectively due to time constraints.
This is one of many reasons I’m so proud to be launching Foundations College Counseling. Students and their families deserve support and guidance through this important time, one that will make a difference in the rest of their lives.