Choosing a university is one of the most important decisions a student and their family will make. It involves time, money, and careful planning for the future.
After years of working with students and parents, I have learnt that one question matters as much as choosing the right university: Who is paying the person who recommends it?
The Hidden Side of Study-Abroad Counselling
Many universities in countries such as Australia the UK, , Canada, and Ireland work with education agents to recruit international students. Some universities pay these agents a commission when a student enrols. The payment arrangements can vary by institution and country.
This is one reason some study-abroad consultancies can offer counselling without charging students a direct fee. However, parents should understand how a counsellor is paid before relying on their advice.
A commission-based arrangement is not automatically a sign of poor service. Many agents provide useful guidance. The concern arises when a financial relationship affects which universities a counsellor recommends.
For example, a counsellor who works with a limited group of universities may focus on those institutions, even when other options could be a better match for the student's academic background, interests, or budget.
Parents may not always know about these arrangements. That is why asking clear questions before starting the counselling process is important.
The consequences of a poor university choice can go beyond admission. A student may struggle with a course that does not match their interests, face financial pressure, or discover that the programme does not support their career plans as expected.
Choosing a University Should Start With Your Child
I often explain the difference between good counselling and simple recommendations with an example.
A pharmacist provides medicines available to them. A doctor first understands the patient's condition and then recommends the right treatment. Sometimes, the best advice may even be that treatment is not needed.
Study-abroad counselling should follow a similar approach. Before recommending universities, a counsellor should understand the student's interests, academic strengths, career goals, financial situation, and preferred learning environment.
The university shortlist should come after this discussion, not before it.
Students should also compare course content, eligibility requirements, tuition fees, living expenses, location, and possible career paths. For instance, students exploring options in Australia can review the available courses, universities, admission requirements, and estimated costs before deciding where to apply.
A university that is popular among students may not necessarily be the right choice for every applicant. The right option depends on the individual student's needs and circumstances.
Seven Questions Every Parent Should Ask a Study-Abroad Counsellor
Before choosing a counsellor, parents should ask these seven questions. You can ask them of any consultancy, including Education Street.
1. Do you receive a commission from the universities you recommend?
Ask for a clear answer. If the counsellor receives commissions, find out which universities are involved and how those arrangements work.
2. How many universities do you work with?
Ask whether the counsellor will consider a university outside their existing partnerships if it better suits your child's needs.
3. Why is this university right for my child?
The answer should explain how the course, entry requirements, costs, and future plans match your child's profile. A high ranking or an easier admission process alone is not enough.
4. Does the shortlist include different admission options?
Ask whether the list includes ambitious choices, universities where your child has a reasonable chance of admission, and safer alternatives based on their profile. No category guarantees admission, but a balanced list can help families plan better.
5. What is the total cost, and what career options could this course offer?
Look beyond tuition fees. Consider accommodation, food, travel, insurance, visa costs, and other expenses. Ask about the course's career outcomes and the evidence supporting any employment claims.
6. Would you advise us to wait or reconsider studying abroad if it were the better option?
A responsible counsellor should be willing to discuss alternatives if the timing, finances, academic preparation, or career goals do not support the student's current plan.
7. Who prepares my child's application essays?
Ask how the counsellor supports statements of purpose and other application documents. Guidance and editing can be helpful, but the student's experiences, ideas, and own voice should remain central.
These questions can help parents understand the advice they receive and make more informed decisions.
Warning Signs Parents Should Not Ignore
Be cautious if a counsellor promises guaranteed admission, pressures you to pay a deposit immediately, or claims that an opportunity will disappear unless you act within a few days.
You should also ask for a clearer explanation if the counsellor talks extensively about universities but shows little interest in your child's academic background, goals, or budget.
A good counselling process should give families time to ask questions, compare options, and understand the reasons behind each recommendation.
Is Free Study-Abroad Counselling Always the Best Option?
Not necessarily. The important question is not simply whether counselling is free or paid. It is whether the advice is transparent, suitable for the student, and based on their needs.
Some consultancies earn money through university commissions, while others may charge students or families directly for their services. Different models have different costs and potential conflicts of interest.
Parents should understand what they are paying for, whether any university commissions are involved, and what support is included in the service.
At Education Street, we believe families should understand how counselling works and why particular options are recommended. Our approach focuses on understanding the student's profile before discussing suitable courses and universities.
The aim should be to help students make informed choices, rather than push them towards a particular institution simply because it is available.
How Parents Can Prepare Before Choosing a University
Parents can make the process easier by starting early and involving their children in important decisions.
Ideally, families should begin exploring academic interests and future options well before application deadlines. Starting in Grade 9 or 10 can help students understand their interests and plan their academic journey, although the right timeline depends on the destination and course.
Before meeting a counsellor, prepare a basic overview of your child's academic record, interests, preferred courses, budget, and long-term goals.
During counselling, encourage your child to ask questions and explain what they want to study. Parents can provide financial and practical guidance, but the student's interests should remain central to the decision.
Most importantly, ask the counsellor to explain the reasoning behind every shortlisted university. Understanding why a course is suitable is more useful than receiving a list of university names without any explanation.
About Ankita Thakker and Education Street
Ankita Thakker is the Founder and Chief Counsellor of Education Street, a study-abroad and career counselling organisation founded in 2010. She holds an MBA from the University of Leeds in the UK and completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme at IIM Bangalore.
The organisation guides students considering destinations such as Australia, the UK, USA, , New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, and other European countries.
Education Street supports students and parents in exploring international education options, including course and university selection, applications, test preparation, financial planning, scholarship guidance, student visa assistance, and pre-departure preparation.
Office Address: Flying Colors, 206/B, PDU Marg, near Mulund Thane Checknaka, above Croma Store, Mulund West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400080.
Contact Number: 09152123858
Email: ankita@educationstreet.in
Website: https://educationstreet.in/
