Students pursuing highly competitive pathways, such as combined BS/MD medical programs, Division 1 athletic recruitment, or conservatory-level arts programs, face unique challenges that often require expertise beyond what a generalist college counselor can provide. Understanding when to hire specialists, how to vet them, and how to coordinate multiple advisors can make the difference between a well-executed application strategy and a fragmented one.
This guide helps practical parents navigate the specialized consulting landscape, drawing on insights from veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger and the Great College Advice team, who collectively bring over 100 years of admissions experience across diverse student profiles and program types.
Do I need a specialized consultant for BS/MD programs, or can a general college counselor help?
BS/MD programs are extraordinarily selective—comparable to gaining admission to a Division 1 athletic program—so specialized guidance is essential. According to veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger, “BS/MD programs are insanely selective. I don’t think there are that many 16-year-olds who already know they want to be a doctor.”
A comprehensive admissions consultant can provide foundational support including guidance on BS/MD options, advising on involvements to better position students, and application timeline development. However, families should understand that these programs require a student who has demonstrated sustained, deep commitment to medicine from an early age.
The best approach is often pairing a generalist consultant who handles the overall college strategy with specialized BS/MD expertise for the direct medical program applications. Great College Advice offers BS/MD Application Support as an add-on service for Elite Package clients, covering up to three BS/MD applications including all essays and components.
One parent in the Great College Advice community preparing for BS/MD interviews noted the importance of understanding whether interviews focus more on the undergraduate or medical school components—highlighting just how nuanced this pathway can be.
When should my student-athlete hire a recruiting specialist versus working with a general college counselor?
The decision depends on your student’s athletic level and recruiting prospects. Jamie Berger explains: “A lot of times I will work with kids who are both athletes and want a more academic IEC [independent educational consultant] . If families have the money to spend on both, it’s a good idea, especially if it’s a kid who’s both academic and hoping to play a sport in college but not necessarily going to be a recruit.”
However, he draws a clear line: “But if somebody is going to be a high level recruitment, they need more than just hiring an admissions expert. I would say a Division 1 recruit or a high D3 recruit might just be fine with their coach, but there are various other ways to get help.”
For students who are academically strong and want to play college sports but aren’t pursuing top-tier athletic scholarships, a general consultant with athletic recruiting add-on services works well. These services typically include education about recruiting processes, athletic resume creation, coach outreach guidance, and integration with college list development.
High-level Division 1 recruits or competitive D3 athletes benefit from dedicated recruiting specialists who focus exclusively on athletic placement and have deep relationships with college coaches. In many cases, their high school coaches also play a significant role and can provide valuable guidance.
How do I find the right consultant for my child’s art portfolio or music auditions?
Art and music applicants need guidance on both the creative portfolio components and the academic application strategy.
The ideal approach combines a general college admissions consultant who handles application strategy, essay development, and college list creation with a specialized portfolio coach who understands program-specific requirements.
Portfolio support services typically include:
- Guidance on administrative preparation of artistic portfolios, performance videos, and recordings
- Research about entrance requirements and departmental auditions
- Strategies for securing letters of recommendation from directors and mentors
When selecting a portfolio specialist, look for someone with direct experience in your student’s artistic discipline and familiarity with the specific programs your student is targeting. Your general consultant can often recommend vetted specialists and coordinate the overall application timeline.
What credentials should I look for when vetting a specialized college admissions consultant?
Whether hiring a generalist or specialist, verification of professional credentials is essential. Jamie Berger recommends checking membership in professional organizations: “See if they are members of one of the professional organizations—IECA (Independent Educational Consultant Association), NACAC (National Association of College Admissions Counselors), or HECA. They all have requirements of experience level and it’s way better than hiring someone who isn’t in any of them.”
Beyond credentials, personal recommendations matter most: “They should come to you recommended personally. Don’t ask Facebook for your recommendations.”
The vetting process should also include having your student meet potential counselors before committing. As Berger explains, “What’s most important is that the kid meets all the counselors and thinks, who do I want to meet with once a week for 30 weeks?”
For specialized consultants, also verify their track record with your student’s specific program type—ask for examples of students they’ve helped gain admission to similar programs.
Is it worth paying for both a general consultant and specialized services for BS/MD, athletics, or arts?
For families pursuing highly specialized pathways, the combined investment often makes strategic sense. Jamie Berger explains the collaborative model at Great College Advice: “When you hire me, you’re hiring all six of us because we meet once a week, talk about our clients, ask any questions, and bounce things off each other. And we all are in different regions of the country with different expertises.”
This team approach means comprehensive clients benefit from collective expertise. For specialized needs, add-on services build on this foundation—athletic recruiting support helps integrate sports prospects with college list development, while portfolio services coordinate artistic documentation with overall application strategy.
The key is ensuring specialists and generalists communicate effectively. A well-coordinated team prevents conflicting advice and ensures all application components work together.
How selective are BS/MD programs compared to regular medical school admission?
BS/MD programs are among the most competitive pathways in higher education—often more selective than applying to medical school after completing undergraduate studies. Jamie Berger puts it bluntly: “It’s kind of like going and becoming a Division 1 athlete. You don’t get to have that full college experience. You’re already in a career training program for four years and they are extremely selective.”
A community member in the Great College Advice Facebook group noted that programs recommend having 2-3 likely schools, 3-5 targets, and 5-7 reaches on a typical college list—but for BS/MD applicants, the list needs additional schools since these combined programs function as extreme reaches regardless of student qualifications.
Schools like the University of Pittsburgh offer direct admission programs that can provide certainty earlier in the process. Importantly, medical school doesn’t require a science major—students can pursue humanities or social sciences while completing prerequisites—so students uncertain about the BS/MD path have alternative routes to medicine that don’t sacrifice the traditional college experience.
What should I consider before committing my child to specialized programs like BS/MD or recruited athletics?
Before pursuing highly specialized pathways, families should honestly assess whether the student’s passion and commitment warrant the trade-offs. Jamie Berger cautions: “I don’t necessarily recommend BS/MD programs except for that very rare kid who has demonstrated genuine, sustained interest in medicine.”
Similarly, for athletics, consider whether pursuing recruitment aligns with the student’s long-term goals or whether playing at the club or intramural level would provide athletic fulfillment without the intense recruiting process.
Great College Advice’s Family Handbook emphasizes that the number of activities is less important than the depth of the commitment and that students should be “well-lopsided” rather than well-rounded—meaning demonstrating superior talents in one or two areas rather than superficial involvement in many.
For specialized programs, this means students should have developed genuine expertise and passion, not just strategic positioning. A good consultant will help families evaluate fit honestly and explore alternative pathways if the specialized route isn’t the right match.
Finding the Right Guidance for Your Family
Navigating specialized admissions pathways requires expertise, coordination, and honest assessment of fit. Whether your student is pursuing BS/MD programs, athletic recruitment, or arts conservatories, the right combination of general strategy and specialized support can make all the difference.
Learn more about choosing the right admissions guidance: How to Choose the Best College Admissions Consultant
Schedule a free consultation with Great College Advice to discuss your family’s unique situation and learn how our team of six experienced counselors—with over 100 years of combined admissions expertise—can help your student navigate even the most specialized pathways.
