We didn't use one and my son got into all the colleges where he applied, including Harvard and Vanderbilt (those were the two highly competitive schools he chose to apply to). That said, we relied heavily on books like this one https://www.amazon.com/Conquering-College-Admissions-Essay-Steps-ebook/dp/B01M1JAB5Q We also did college visits before applying and paid close attention to what they said they were looking for. That said, we are really good an independent research so were able to replicate what a counselor could do. I know people who hired the expensive counselors here and were disappointed because the kids didn't get into any top tier schools, so there is just no telling and no guarantees.