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Phila. Guidance Counselor Cuts Hurting College Admissions for Public School Students
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140106_College_applications_shortchanged_under_schools__counselor_cuts.htmlExcerpt:
"It's really hard to be there for 600 students," said Heather Marcus, one of two counselors for 1,200 students at Masterman. "It breaks my heart when I know that students need something, and there just aren't enough hours in the day to give it to them."
Amid a terrible budget crunch, most district schools began the year without a full-time counselor.
Many students at Central High shoot for top-tier colleges, but counselor Tatiana Olmedo has had to warn college officials not every student will have a letter of recommendation. The math just doesn't add up, Olmedo said - 2,400 students, two counselors. Eight counselors used to work at the school. Students who want an appointment to see a counselor can count on a two-week wait."