Working With Your School Counselor: A Guide for Parents and Students

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From course planning to college applications, learn how to team up with your child's counselor to support every step of the journey.

By Justina Thompson — June 10, 2025

Tags: college-admissions, financial-aid, parent-guardian, scholarships, stem-fields

Working With Your School Counselor: A Guide for Parents and Students

High school counselors are some of the most valuable-yet underused-resources when it comes to preparing for college. They can help students navigate everything from course selection to application deadlines, essays, and financial aid. As a parent, understanding your child's counselor's role and actively engaging with their guidance can help ease the stress of college planning and strengthen your student's success.

What Do High School Counselors Do?

Counselors are trained professionals who support students in academic planning, college advising, and career exploration. They can help:

Design a four-year course plan aligned with your child's goals
Suggest extracurricular activities that support their interests and strengthen college applications
Provide guidance on standardized testing, college selection, and scholarships
Offer support for personal growth, emotional wellness, and decision-making

In short, they're one of your best allies in helping your child build a thoughtful and personalized path to college.

How Parents Can Get Involved

Don't wait until senior year to reach out. Make it a habit to connect with your child's counselor starting in 9th or 10th grade. As a parent, you can:

Schedule occasional check-ins to review academic progress and future plans
Ask about honors, AP, or dual enrollment courses that fit your child's interests
Discuss how extracurriculars or volunteer work might help your child explore their passions
Attend any parent workshops the school offers about college planning

Remember, early course choices-starting freshman year-can shape your student's trajectory. If you're unsure what steps to take, counselors can help clarify what matters most at each grade level.

Support With College Applications

As your child enters junior and senior year, counselors become essential partners in the application process. They can:

Help students build a balanced college list of safety, match, and reach schools
Guide families through admissions requirements, essays, and deadlines
Offer practice interview advice and help students request recommendation letters
Connect students with application fee waivers or scholarship search tools

They're also familiar with regional and national trends in admissions, which can give you an advantage in building a smart application strategy.

Workshops, Fairs & Campus Visits

Most high schools offer events to support students and families in the planning process. These might include:

College application workshops
Financial aid and FAFSA nights
Scholarship info sessions
Visits from college admissions reps

Encourage your child to attend-and go with them when it makes sense. These events offer both information and inspiration as your student prepares for the next step.

Explore more in the Newsroom:

Beyond the School Counselor: Additional Advising Resources

Due to large caseloads, some school counselors may not have time to give every student in-depth help. If you need more personalized support, consider:

Independent College Counselors - For tailored guidance on college choices, essays, and financial aid planning
College Access Programs - Many nonprofit or local programs offer free advising, especially for first-gen or underserved students
Pre-College Programs - Summer courses, fly-in opportunities, and college readiness camps can boost confidence and applications

Explore more opportunities:

Take a Proactive Approach

You don't have to have all the answers-and neither does your child. That's why counselors, programs, and community resources exist. Your job is to help bridge the gap:

Ask questions early and often
Encourage your child to be curious, honest, and open
Make college prep a team effort

By staying involved and informed, you can relieve pressure, help your child make confident choices, and prepare for what comes next-together.

Justina Thompson

Justina "Farmer J" Thompson is the Farm Education and Volunteer Manager at Urban Creators, Philadelphia, PA. Justina intentionally attended school in Philadelphia so she could “connect her passion and experience to the ongoing environmental justice work in the area.” As a speaker, educational curriculum designer, program leader, and community organizer, Justina possesses extensive knowledge on urban farming inspired to work in the field of environmental justice from a young age.

View all posts by Justina Thompson

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