College-bound students may have a better edge if they hire a private college consultant instead of those who rely on high school counselors.

Frank Bernier, a college consultant who is contracted through Lansing Catholic Central High School, 501 N. Marshall St., and also privately runs his own consultant business, College Planning Consultants, said there’s a need for guides outside of high-school counselors.

“Counselors wear a lot of different hats, and therein lies the problem,” Bernier said. “We can recognize that they may be overworked.”

Bernier’s service can cost up to $1,000 and offers a of various steps available to the student and their families.

He said there’s a need for his profession because high-school counselors are too busy working with schedule changes and the “touchy feely” part of being a counselor.

“I don’t do any of that other crap,” he said. “I only want to talk to college-bound students.”

But Jeri Pettit, a counselor at Williamston High School, 3939 Vanneter Road in Williamston, said the college consultants aren’t needed in the school district because the school offers the services needed for college-bound students.

“When you’re talking overall, I think consultants are needed,” she said. “But if your district has the services, I don’t think there’s any reason they should have to pay an extra $1,000.”

Bernier said he has been part of the admissions program at major universities, so he is qualified to consult students on their future.

“I know that I’m the only one in this area,” he said. “We can sugar-coat this all we want, but the truth is, the job isn’t getting done.”

Pettit, who has been a counselor for more than 15 years, said she agrees high-school counselors are busy, but college preparation is one of their top priorities with students.

Deanna Mccadney, an incoming MSU student, said she was well -prepared for college, and didn’t need a consultant. But she said she had to do it on her own.

“My counselors weren’t any help,” the pre-veterinary freshman said. “They were doing other things and we could never find them.”