What makes a college advisor truly skilled? It’s not what you think.

Here’s a question that we are constantly fielding from prospective clients: have you worked in admissions?

And it is a fair one. After all, college advisors need to have a huge bank of knowledge about the thousands of programs out there, the constantly changing rules and requirements, and the priorities and processes of oft-secretive admissions offices nationwide. Thus, in some respects, a formal admissions background absolutely equips advisors with a headstart. Nonetheless, the admissions landscape and process evolves every year, and our knowledge and expertise is shaped by the limitations of our personal and professional biases, so even a seasoned admissions officer can’t advise perfectly.

More importantly, and in spite of the expertise that former admissions officers bring to bear, we would argue that this is the wrong question to ask a prospective advisor. Why? For one, much of the lauded “admissions intel” is now publicly available, from books by former admissions professionals to articles by journalists who’ve been given an inside look to public data sources like the Common Data Set. But, far more importantly, intel is just one part of the equation. Successful admissions advisors need to be excellent writers and editors, thoughtful communicators, and attentive proofreaders. They need to be skilled strategic planners, analytical thinkers, and competent, highly organized project managers. They need to be effective brainstormers and creative thinkers. And, most importantly, they need to be great with teens and their often-anxious parents.

What the best advisors we’ve seen have in common is that they are professionals who are capable and driven enough to learn the material and have the unteachable gift of being able to connect with young people and help them find and tell their stories. They inherently know how to strike the right balance between accountability and empathy, between pushing and supporting, between providing a safe space for introspection and avoiding imposing a single agenda.

So, how can you find out whether your advisor has these skills? A glowing referral from a trusted friend, parent, or education professional is a great start. But also talk to them, learn more about their process, and connect with them as a member of your community and as a prospective trusted partner at a critical life moment. Look for the adviser who doesn’t just have the background you want, but who will connect with you and your teen. In the end, that’s what we find makes the greatest impact.