"When I was in High School my guidance counselor told me and all my Latino friends not to bother to apply to college because we would not get in anyway. I did not take heed to his "warning" and applied anyway. Much to my satisfaction I did get accepted" But many of my friends believed what he said and didn't apply!

This was told to me by my college friend. I couldn't believe it. This story combined with my own experience and other accounts of high school guidance counselors has led me to believe there is a serious problem. To tackle this issue, I am currently exploring the idea of becoming a guidance counselor myself. 

The problem is that we don't have enough hs gudiance counselors and the few we do have especially in "low income" communities have huge caseloads which affect the quality of their services to their students. High School guidance counselors are supposed to help their students with their schedules, act as a support system, counselor, help them with the college process and part time jobs.

I have spoken with guidance couselors who have caseloads of 400 students! I asked in bewilderment how can you really help 400 students? I was sadly told "The reality is you can't" You just help as many as you can. I am aware that its not the guidance counselors faults, the reality is they need more guidance couselors in our high schools. But funding does not allow it..  

Also we need more guidance counselors that can RELATE to their students in "low income" communities. You can't relate to the obstacles that your students face or comprehend the struggles that they face daily if you have never lived it. In my opinion, you can read a 100 books and get Master's degree's but you will never really be able to be empathetic. Also students will not really open up to someone who they feel has no clue to what they are going through.

Any one have any thoughts on this??