College Admissions Consultant

Job Title 

Job Description

College Admissions Consultants offer personalized, one-on-one guidance to students and families throughout their high school years, helping them confidently navigate the college application and admissions process. This role requires close collaboration with students to develop comprehensive admissions strategies that encompass both academic and extracurricular growth. The College Admissions Consultant will assist students in identifying colleges that align with their academic profiles, career aspirations, and personal preferences. Additionally, they provide expert support in crafting compelling application materials, including essays, resumes, and preparation for interviews.

As a College Admissions Consultant, you will:

• Conduct individualized strategy sessions with students beginning in 9th grade to evaluate academic performance, extracurricular involvement, career aspirations, and personal goals, driving the creation of tailored college admissions strategies to position students for competitive applications.
• Maintain consistent communication with students and parents to ensure alignment and clarity around college admissions goals and progress.
• Conduct in-depth research and analysis for each student to develop a balanced college list, comprising reach, target, and likely schools that align with their academic interests, personal preferences, and family budget.
• Assist students in brainstorming, outlining, and refining personal statements and supplemental essays to create compelling narratives.
• Manage application timelines and provide detailed guidance to ensure students complete applications accurately, highlighting their achievements to stand out in the admissions process.
• Provide expert guidance on course selection, standardized testing (SAT, ACT, etc.), and extracurricular activities that will enhance students' application profiles.
• Review and optimize student resumes, ensuring they effectively showcase key strengths, experiences, and accomplishments.
• Prepare students for college interviews by conducting mock interviews and providing constructive feedback for improvement.
• Stay current on trends in college admissions, including evolving standards and application requirements, to provide the most relevant advice.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the department and the qualifications of the candidate:

• Participate in webinars to connect with a wider audience of students and parents, enhancing Kaplan's visibility and establishing the company as a trusted source of information in college consulting.
• Provide consulting services in curriculum development, counselor training, product strategy, and content creation, ensuring that educational offerings align with industry best practices and effectively meet the needs of students.

You are:

• An Industry Expert. You bring 5+ years of professional college counseling experience, either at a company or as an independent consultant. You have expert knowledge of the college application process and love to nerd out on industry trends and college admission updates.
• Enthusiastic. You can captivate any audience with your excitement and your expertise, making you a great communicator.
• Resourceful. You’re quick, clever, and solution-oriented.  You can take information and run with it - you don’t rely on a lot of direction. You’re comfortable working online with students and learning new systems.
• Self-Motivated.  You’re adept at working independently and can manage your time efficiently.
• Passionate. When you work with students, it’s clear that you’re invested in their journey.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of college counseling experience
• Extensive knowledge of the college application process, including admissions requirements, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and academic planning
• Strong communication, presentation, and meeting facilitation skills
• Exceptional writing skills to communicate effectively with students and families and navigate the essay editing process
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple students and track their progress through the application cycle simultaneously

Preferred Requirements

• Masters degree in counseling, higher education, or similar
• Strong experience helping multiple students get accepted to highly selective schools
• Experience working in college admissions, preferably at a highly selective institution
• International admissions experience
• Must be authorized to work in the United States

The salary rate for one-on-one advising starts at $100 an hour. Actual compensation for this role is determined by several factors including but not limited to job level, candidate's skills, experience, and education, among other factors determined by the business.

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Diversity & Inclusion Statement:

Kaplan is committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace that values diversity, promotes equity, and integrates inclusivity into all aspects of our operations. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, nationality, or sex. We believe that diversity strengthens our organization, fuels innovation, and improves our ability to serve our students, customers, and communities. Learn more about our culture here.

Kaplan considers qualified applicants for employment even if applicants have an arrest or conviction in their background check records. Kaplan complies with related background check regulations, including but not limited to, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.  There are various positions where certain convictions may disqualify applicants, such as those positions requiring interaction with minors, financial records, or other sensitive and/or confidential information.