Independent Guidance Counseling: A Smart Choice for Students

In the age of increasing student populations and decreasing school budgets, it seems as though the only way to give a student the individual attention they need is through homeschooling. With less guidance counselors to more students, the chances of a student getting proper advice and support are slim. College competition is fiercer than ever; an option parents might want to consider is independent guidance counseling.

Leandra Manos, of , has been an independent counselor in Manchester for more than five years.

"I help them be successful not only in high school but also as they prepare for life after high school," says Manos, describing the type of work she does.

Manos, a certified school counselor who has previously worked within school systems, says that she became independent when the economy fell and private schooling was no longer an option for many people.

"Some families who previously sent their kids to private schools are no longer in the position to do that," says Manos. "What's happening is the enrollment in private schools is going down, and the enrollment in public schools is going up."

While private schools fade as a viable choice and public schools become swollen with students, independent counseling provides the individual attention and competitive edge students need when applying to college. As an independent counselor, Manos has the capability to sculpt the perfect college candidate.

"I help them with the application process, developing their resume, college essays," says Manos. "They might be completely lost and they have no idea what they want to write about...or they could come in with an essay and they want me to edit it."

Additionally, Manos makes sure the students she works with are "staying busy" throughout high school. This means getting involved with clubs and community service well before they even look at colleges.

"A lot of times people wait until junior or senior year even to start doing things like that," Manos says. "And colleges know, I mean, you can see that."

One student she is currently working with is Chad Kim, a junior at East Catholic High School. Manos has helped him decide which types of colleges he wants to attend, and he says having an independent counselor has "made a very big difference." 

"Over the last year and a half, she has given me many tips and advice that I can't always get from a school counselor," says Chad Kim. "Ms. Manos has helped me to realize the importance of building my college admissions portfolio... and be a more well-rounded student in general."

Chad's father, Changsik Kim, believes the independent counseling has really helped his son.

"She gives very good guidance for my son's school life and social life, encouraging my son during challenging times," says Changsik Kim.

It's the personal level of counseling that makes Manos's work so effective. One of Manos' methods is what she calls Career and Interest Inventories. By asking the student a few questions, she can figure out what their strengths and interests are, which help them find a fitting major or school activity.

"The positive component of that is for students to discover who they are, and what do they like," says Manos.

With a free initial consultation, an hour of this extensive counseling costs only $50, a low price for a service that could drastically change a student's future. With independent guidance counseling, a student gains more than just extra help, Manos says, they gain support and insight tailored perfectly to their needs.