The other day I mentioned that I don’t work with everyone who wants to hire me. In fact, I turn down more students than I accept. Why?
There are two basic reasons. First, there needs to be a good fit between the counselor and the student. This is one of those things that can be hard to define but I have been doing this long enough that I generally know when I will enjoy working with a student and when I might not.
Second, students need to be realistic in their expectations. No one is guaranteed admission to a BS/MD program. Now, that being said, it is not too often that I am surprised by the overall results of a particular student. I can’t say where someone might be admitted but in most cases, if I think a student is competitive for BS/MD programs, they will get in somewhere.
But some students only want a particular program. “I only want PLME” or “I only want HPME.” Some students with perfect or near perfect grades and test scores will assume that admission to an Ivy League college is something to be expected.
I have said it over and over, NO ONE is guaranteed admission to a particular college or BS/MD program. If the student does not understand that, I am not the best counselor for them.
I will also tell my students my honest opinion on their odds at a BS/MD program and some students don’t want to hear my opinion. That is their choice but if someone doesn’t want to at least hear my opinion, then they would be better off hiring someone else to work with.
I’m picky in who I work with but mainly because my main concern is helping my students to the best of my ability. As long as they understand that, and are willing to work hard to get accepted into the best BS/MD program or regular college for their needs, we will get along just fine.
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