Do I Really Need a College Counselor? Here’s the Truth.

Let’s be real here—college admissions today isn’t what it used to be. Like I say to Gen X, “this s not your father’s Oldsmobile. “It’s more competitive, more confusing, and yes, more expensive. So it’s no surprise that more and more families are asking, “Should we hire a college counselor?”

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or simply want to make smarter choices with your time and money, keep reading. Here are seven reasons why working with a college admissions expert isn’t just a luxury—it’s a go time!

1. Find the Right-Fit Colleges

With over 3,000 colleges in the U.S., how do you even begin to build a list that makes sense for your student?
At Annapolis College Consulting/College Sharks, we’ve personally visited hundreds of college campuses, and we are ion top of admissions trends, testing policies, and what colleges are really looking for. We help students find schools where they’ll thrive—academically, socially, geographically, and financially.

2. How to Not Pay Full Price

College is one of the biggest financial decisions your family will ever make. But here’s the truth: most families spend more time researching vacation rentals than figuring out how to save on college costs.
We help you invest wisely—this year our students earned $65,000–$100,000 or more in merit aid alone. This reduces the tuition cost for you because the colleges and universities were willing to lower the COA (cost of attendance) to attract their student. The key? A balanced college list and astand-out application

3. Know the Admissions Game

Book your FREE 30-minute discussion with our team and get ready to take a bite out of college admissions. Colleges are businesses. They market to your teen and shape their admissions process to benefit them—not you.
We help you cut through the noise, focus on what you can control, and position your student as a standout candidate. This isn’t about guesswork. It’s about strategy. Did you know that over 90% of students with near perfect GPA’s and test scores get rejected from highly-selective colleges?

4. Get It Right the First Time

More than 1 in 3 students transfer colleges—and many leave with regret and unnecessary debt.
We make sure your student lands at a school where they’ll stay, succeed, and graduate. That means fewer costly mistakes and more peace of mind from day one.

5. Lower Family Stress

Let’s be honest—college planning can put a serious strain on even the most loving families. From GPA worries to test prep chaos to essay deadlines, it’s enough to spark full-on panic. Don’t run around chasing volunteer hours, over scheduling activities and arguing over dinner.
We save family relationships. We speak “teenager.” We give a timeline and clear next steps. And we actually make this process fun, empowering, and maybe even a little exciting.

6. Save Big in the Long Run

Hiring a college consultant might feel like an extra expense—but it’s often the move that saves families the most.
Just like you’d hire a tax expert or real estate pro, we help families avoid costly mistakes and find financial opportunities they didn’t know existed. Want to avoid overpaying for college? We’ve got you.

7. Stress Less, Know More

The college process has changed since you attended school..
We help parents and students let go of the panic and lean into clarity, structure, and confidence. We’ve walked hundreds of families through this journey—and we know how to make it feel manageable, meaningful, and leave you with OPtIONS in spring of senior year.

So…Do You Need a College Counselor?

If you want to save time, save money, and save your sanity while giving your teen the best shot at a great college fit—yes, you probably do.

And if you want a proven team that combines expert strategy, straight talk, and a whole lot of heart—you want ACC/College Sharks.

🦈 Why Families Trust ACC/College Sharks

25+ years of combined admissions experience
Average savings of $65K–$100K in merit aid per family
Students admitted to Top 50 universities and beyond
A virtual platform that works for any family, anywhere
Calm, confidence, and clarity every step of the way

Ready to Take a Bite Out of College Admissions?

Follow us @CollegeSharks and visit www.CollegeSharks.com to learn more about our virtual membership for only ^$600 or book a 30-minute FREE consult to disucss our 1:1 concierge college consulting services HERE
Let’s turn confusion into confidence—together.

#collegecounseling #collegeconsulting #collegeapplications

Lee Norwood’s visionary ideas led to the establishment of College Sharks, which today helps thousands of families get the help they need as they embark on the college process.

There are only a handful of brands and platforms worldwide that have genuinely upped the game in their sector and gone out of the conventional realms to create a unique niche. These brands have also made a positive difference in the lives of others. Founder Lee Norwood is one such founder, the heart and soul behind College Sharks, a virtual college consulting platform that has been consistently revolutionising the education sector, empowering families with affordable and expert college consulting. Focusing on how to pay for college, how to find the right-fit college, and how to help your student stand out, College Sharks has risen today as a groundbreaking virtual college consulting platform that aims to help families with expert college consulting.

In short, College Sharks helps families navigate the overwhelming college admissions process, showing them what steps to take, when to take them and why they matter. Lee aims to provide expert guidance at a fraction of the cost of traditional one-on-one private consulting services. Her passion for easing the college process for all led Lee to the forefront of the industry already. She has become a leading figure in college consulting, thriving on perseverance, passion, resilience and innovation. She spent 23 years in pharmaceutical sales and one day realized she sought a more fulfilling career path.

During the pandemic, she seized the opportunity to purchase Annapolis College Consulting and successfully expanded it fivefold, reaching more students and adding new consultants. This led her to earn several prestigious awards and accolades, including being featured in USA Today, CEO Weekly, and MSN Business Insider. She loves speaking at national industry conferences such as IECA and HECA and mentors within the consulting community while also being a trainer for leading college consulting software CounselMore.

Lee explains how choosing the right college often serves as a daunting task for many families. With the student-to-counselor ratios in high schools averaging over 400 to 1, personalised guidance is often scarce. It is easy to feel lost in the evolving landscape of college admissions, from selecting the right school to navigating financial aid options. Lee understands these struggles first-hand and has made it her mission to bridge the gap. Her desire to reach more families with expert advice in a cost-effective and accessible format led to the establishment of College Sharks.

Some primary reasons that have helped College Sharks stand out include its step-by-step guidance, high-quality consulting at affordable rates, expert insights from seasoned professionals, fun and interactive content, and practical strategies to maximize available scholarships and aid. Lee is known for her authenticity and no-nonsense approach to the admission process. With College Sharks, Lee is dedicated to offering a fresh and engaging approach to college admissions consulting. Its virtual platform offers monthly, bite-sized guidance for parents and teens through an easy-to-use virtual platform.

Lee’s visions for College Sharks go beyond helping individual families. In the near future, Lee Tracy Norwood envisions College Sharks to take off and help more families feel more comfortable with the college process. She aims to have a non-profit division that can offer the product to underserved communities. By democratising college consulting, she hopes to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed. She is focusing on how a high school system can be paired with College Sharks to help schools serve more students, even at the school-level. College Sharks helps families embark on the college admissions process with ease and confidence.