What are some effective ways to engage with high school counselors?

1 Know your audience

Before you contact a high school counselor, do some research on their school, students, and priorities. Find out what kind of programs, scholarships, and support they offer, what challenges and opportunities they face, and what their goals and expectations are. This will help you tailor your message, offer relevant information, and show genuine interest and respect.

3 Provide value and support

High school counselors are not just sources of referrals, but also partners and allies in the college admissions process. They want to help their students succeed and find the best fit for their needs and aspirations. Therefore, you should provide value and support to high school counselors by offering them useful tools, tips, and training, answering their questions and concerns, and addressing their feedback and suggestions. You should also acknowledge their efforts and achievements, and celebrate their successes and impact.

4 Build trust and rapport

Engaging with high school counselors is not just a transactional exchange, but also a relational one. You should aim to build trust and rapport with high school counselors by being friendly, respectful, and professional. You should also show your personality, passion, and enthusiasm, and express your appreciation and gratitude. You can also use stories, testimonials, and examples to showcase your college's culture, values, and outcomes, and to connect with high school counselors on an emotional level.

5 Invite and involve

High school counselors are more likely to engage with you if they feel invited and involved in your college's community and activities. You can invite and involve high school counselors by hosting events, such as open houses, campus tours, workshops, and panels, where they can meet your faculty, staff, and students, and learn more about your programs, facilities, and services. You can also involve high school counselors by asking them to participate in surveys, focus groups, or advisory boards, where they can share their opinions, insights, and ideas.

6 Be flexible and adaptable

Engaging with high school counselors is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but a dynamic and evolving one. You should be flexible and adaptable to the changing needs, preferences, and circumstances of high school counselors and their students. You should also monitor and evaluate your engagement strategies and outcomes, and make adjustments and improvements as needed. You should also seek feedback and suggestions from high school counselors, and implement them whenever possible.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?