Rethinking College Counseling: Why Families Deserve Affordable, Flexible, and Personalized Guidance
By Team Pathways
In a recent article titled "Why Don’t More Families Hire Independent Educational Consultants?", veteran college counselor Karen Oppenheim poses a fundamental question about the accessibility of professional college guidance. Her answer? For most families, the cost is simply too high—especially when services require large upfront payments, multi-thousand-dollar packages, or contracts before a student has even asked their first question.
At Pathways, we agree. And we believe there’s a better way.
What’s Holding Families Back?
Let’s be honest: the current landscape of college counseling often caters to the top 10%—those who can afford $5,000–$15,000+ packages that begin in 9th grade and promise full hand-holding through every step of the application process.
But what about the rest of us?
Most families:
- Don’t know how much help they need until they start the process
- Want to test the waters before making a commitment
- Prefer advice on demand, not a long-term contract
- Need cultural and financial flexibility
They’re not unwilling to invest in their child’s future—they’re just looking for a model that respects their uncertainty and budgets.
Why We Created Pathways
Pathways was designed for this exact reality.
We are not a traditional consulting firm. We are a peer-powered advisory platform that connects families with both elite peer advisors (students who just succeeded in getting into top schools) and seasoned professionals (admissions consultants, essay coaches, test prep experts, and career guides).
Here’s how we’re different:
✅ No Contracts, No Lock-Ins
- Book a consult when you need it.
- First consult is platform-fee-free.
- Choose one advisor or many. You're in control.
✅ Peer + Pro, Together
- Ask a BS/MD admit what they did to stand out.
- Book a call with a test prep coach for a targeted SAT strategy.
- Talk to a parent, a med student, a law school admit. Curate your own advisory board.
✅ Transparent Pricing
- Each advisor sets their own rate.
- You pay per session or buy credits. No expensive bundles required.
✅ Personalized to Your Situation
- Have a strong GPA but a weak essay? Talk to an essay specialist.
- Applying as an international student? Connect with someone who’s done it.
- Navigating IEPs or non-traditional schooling? We’ll match you with someone who gets it.
The Real Problem Isn’t That Families Don’t Want Help
It’s that the system wasn’t built for flexibility, affordability, or choice. Until now.
Pathways is changing the game—by giving every family access to real-world insights, not just generic advice. And by allowing students and parents to shape their own journeys, one conversation at a time.
Because good advice shouldn’t only be available to those who can pay thousands upfront.
Ready to Start?
🎓 Explore peer advisors who’ve just done what you’re trying to do
🔍 Ask a question or book a consult with a peer or professional advisor, no pressure
🌐 Visit Pathways — Peer insight meets professional expertise.
This is how college guidance should work.