What's the Role of a College Advisor in High Schools?

I'm curious about what a college advisor does in a high school setting. Can anyone explain the main responsibilities and tasks involved in this job? I'm considering this as a potential career path.

In a high school setting, the role of a college advisor is multifaceted and vital to the college application process for students. Here are some of the key responsibilities they handle.

1. Academic Guidance: A college advisor assists in curating students' academic schedules, ensuring that the courses they select align with their academic goals and college admissions requirements. Advisors work to balance the rigor and expectations of certain curricula against a student's ability and interests.

2. Post-Secondary Planning: They provide guidance in the college search and application process, help students understand different college options, and provide resources to explore schools that align with their academic goals, interests, and financial situation.

3. College Admissions Process: Advisors lead workshops or individual meetings to discuss aspects of the admissions process like personal essays, standardized testing, letters of recommendation, financial aid, and more. They may also review college applications and provide feedback.

4. Career Exploration: They help students explore potential careers and the majors that align with those careers. This often involves discussing the student's interests, strengths, and goals, and providing resources to learn more about specific career paths.

5. Navigating Financial Aid & Scholarships: Advisors guide students and their families through the FAFSA process, help understand financial aid award letters, and connect students to scholarship opportunities.

6. Support: On a broader level, a college advisor serves as a pillar of support for students during the often stress-inducing college admissions process. They may liaise with educators, administrators, and families to ensure each student's needs are met.

These responsibilities vary based on the school's resources, the size of the student body, and other factors. College advisors often require a balance of interpersonal skills, organization, knowledge about college admissions, and passion for helping students succeed beyond high school.