College Counselor

Are you a former admissions officer or independent college counselor who loves connecting with and empowering students, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and appreciates working with a friendly, supportive team? If so, Great Expectations College Prep wants you! We are looking for outgoing, innovative thinkers who are as dedicated to providing enthusiastic, comprehensive support to families as they are to finding new, exciting ways to contribute to our fast-growing company's success.

About Great Expectations College Prep, LLC

Great Expectations College Prep's team of experts prepares students and their families for the college application process by guiding them through a robust collection of services including test preparation, academic tutoring, college counseling, athletic recruitment guidance, portfolio development, and beyond. We recognize that colleges want strong students, but they also want real people with deep commitment to their interests - so Great Expectations has helped thousands of students excel in high school while building a narrative that is both authentic and unique. GE College Prep is a remote-first company that offers the opportunity to work in person in your geographic area. While we were founded in California, today we serve families throughout the US and abroad. The majority of our students apply to Top 50 institutions and are motivated to develop dynamic profiles that will help them stand out in highly competitive admissions pools. We pride ourselves on our success in matching students and counselors based on personality, and we encourage our staff to embrace, enhance, and utilize their own personal counseling styles. We like to try new things and explore ideas, and we are committed to cultivating a team that is dynamic, bright, enthusiastic, and inclusive.

Description

Position Description

We are currently seeking an engaging college counselor with extensive experience to join our team. College counselors report to the Director of Counseling and are responsible for managing their meeting schedule with clients. Counselors are asked to designate availability by graduation class and commit to guiding their clients through high school graduation. While we strive to provide consistent service across our team, there is a high level of autonomy in this role. We ask for exceptional integrity and professionalism from our staff in their commitments. The majority of time will be dedicated to clients, supporting students on their journeys, and ensuring the process goes smoothly and deadlines are met, but there are two key components of the job:

Client Management Expectations

Maintain a caseload of 15-30 clients total (potentially more if students are primarily underclassmen, or less if the students are primarily upperclassmen)

Most counseling sessions are held remotely; however, there is an expectation of in-person meeting availability if a client is within 15 miles of the employee's home

Be able to make multi-year commitments to students and meet after school hours and on weekends

Be able to oversee the entire college application process for parents and students

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree from a Top 50 institution

Master's degree in counseling, education, psychology, or a related field preferred

Experience

Must have admissions experience at a college or university

Minimum of 10 years of experience in college counseling or educational leadership roles

Experience working with a diverse student population

Deep understanding of the college admissions process, financial aid, scholarships, and standardized testing

Success in placing high-achieving students into top programs; experience with highly competitive applications in niche fields - for example, engineering, business, performing arts, and/or BS/MD programs - is a huge plus

Skills/Qualities

Natural ability to connect with others and build trust and rapport quickly. Whether collaborating with colleagues, guiding students, or reassuring parents, you create positive, meaningful interactions that leave people feeling valued and supported

Capacity to manage fast-paced, high-pressure situations where emotions run high

Willingness to take ownership of issues and follow problems through to resolution

Independence and autonomy, but also an understanding of when to escalate concerns

Relentless passion for helping students achieve their academic and personal potential and the drive to go above and beyond to help them do so

Ability to identify unexpected extracurricular activities that advance or highlight students' unique interests and ambitions; create balanced (realistic but optimistic) college lists; offer clear, detailed feedback on all stages of essays; devise a plan around early action, early decision, etc.; and project manage the entire application process

Handling of confidential information with discretion

Adaptability and agility (knowing when and how to pivot in complex situations)

Exceptional organizational and time management skills

Proficiency in using college counseling software, spreadsheets, and data management tools

Dedicated, quiet workspace with reliable internet access for virtual sessions

Compensation & Additional Details

This is a part-time, hourly, non-exempt position with a starting hourly rate of $60 for virtual sessions and $80 for in-person sessions. Eligible employees can participate in certain benefits, including but not limited to:

Client and employee referral programs

401 (k) plan with company match

Technology stipend

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Life insurance and LTD coverage

Regular professional development courses

Opportunities for growth, learning, and promotion

We are looking for people who would like to call Great Expectations home for years to come, so if this position piques your interest, please send us a cover letter that demonstrates your creativity, personality, and general writing skills - please be yourself and use this opportunity to show us the real you!

Salary

$60 - $80 per hour