The Positive Dynamic Between Independent College Counselors and School Counselors

When I talk to independent college counselors around the country, sometimes I hear stories of tension between them and high school counselors. This doesn't make sense to me, and I feel fortunate that I have not experienced that in Portland, Oregon. It seems logical that high school counselors would welcome independent college counselors as collaborators. Teachers don't resent tutors who help children excel in their classes. The football coach wouldn't resent it if his quarterback worked with a trainer. The music department actually expects students to take private music lessons. Our public school counselors are amazingly talented and dedicated people, who happen to have a taxing caseload of students. When a parent hires an independent college counselor it is simply because they choose to have someone with more time be focused on their child. School counselors and independent college counselors who work together on behalf of the student form a dynamic duo.