What Parents Should Know About College Admissions Guidance

When it comes to college counseling in international schools, many parents' first reaction is: "Is it just about helping kids apply to college?"
Yes, but not entirely.
Today, let's talk about what college counseling in international schools actually does, how it can help children, and how parents can cooperate.

I. The "Three Roles" of College Counseling
A good college counselor typically plays three roles:

1. Navigator — Helping children see the direction clearly
   Starting from course selection, college counseling gets involved. Should IB be taken at Higher Level or Standard Level? Which A-Level subjects to choose? How many AP exams are appropriate? These choices directly affect future college application directions. College counselors provide advice based on the child's interests, strengths, and goals, helping them avoid detours.
2. Planner — Helping children set the pace
   When should language exams be prepared? When should competitions be participated in? When should essay writing begin? College counselors help children outline a timeline to avoid last-minute chaos in senior year.
3. Coach — Helping children tell their story well
   Applying to college is essentially about "telling a story." Who are you? What do you care about? Why are you a good fit for this school? College counselors help children explore their experiences, find the consistent "main thread," and give their application materials soul.

II. What Can College Counseling Do? What Can't It Do?
What it can do:

• Provide course selection advice and academic planning
• Recommend suitable competitions, summer schools, and activity resources
• Guide essay writing and offer revision suggestions
• Conduct mock interviews to help children prepare in advance
• Analyze university characteristics to help children match target schools
  What it can't do:
• Cannot guarantee admission (anyone claiming "guaranteed admission" is misleading)
• Cannot write essays for children (ghostwriting is academic misconduct)
• Cannot make decisions for children (the final choice lies with the child)

College counseling is a "booster," not a "driver." The steering wheel is always in the child's own hands.

III. Key Focus of College Counseling by Grade Level
Grades 9-10 (before high school): Exploration period
The focus at this stage is "self-discovery." Children may not yet be sure what they like or are good at. College counselors help them try different subjects and activities to find their interests. Course selection advice is also given during this stage.
Grade 11 (sophomore year): Focus period
The focus at this stage is "deepening direction." Children need to explore deeply in areas they are interested in—this could be challenging courses, impactful activities, or in-depth research projects. College counselors help them filter the most valuable opportunities.
Grade 12 (senior year): Sprint period
The focus at this stage is "application execution." School selection, essays, recommendation letters, interviews, material submission... College counselors help children manage every deadline to ensure the application process goes smoothly.

IV. How Can Parents Cooperate?
Get involved early; don't wait until senior year.
Respect the child's ideas; don't just focus on rankings.
Actively communicate with college counselors to help the child find the right path together.

Final Thoughts
College counseling is not a "magician" that can turn stone into gold. But it can be a "lighthouse" on the child's growth journey—helping them see the direction clearly, avoid detours, and make wiser choices at critical moments.
If you still have questions about college counseling, feel free to leave a comment or send a private message. We will answer them one by one.