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Admissions counselor vs peer counselor

The differences between admissions counselors and peer counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an admissions counselor has an average salary of $39,298, which is higher than the $37,464 average annual salary of a peer counselor.

The top three skills for an admissions counselor include customer service, patients and social work. The most important skills for a peer counselor are peer support, substance abuse, and wic program.

Admissions counselor vs peer counselor overview

Admissions CounselorPeer Counselor
Yearly salary$39,298$37,464
Hourly rate$18.89$18.01
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs43,41376,608
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does an admissions counselor do?

An admissions counselor is the primary point of contact between a university or college and their potential students. One of their primary responsibilities is to represent the school during various events for recruitment purposes, discuss the admission procedures to the students and their families through calls or appointments, and facilitate university tours and orientation among prospective students. Furthermore, they must gather applicants' requirements, verify their authenticity, and determine if they are qualified for the institution. They may also decide student admissions, all while adhering to the college's policies and guidelines.

What does a peer counselor do?

Typically working at schools, communities, or medical facilities, a peer counselor specializes in providing counseling to an individual or group of people, aiming to help them deal with and overcome crises. Their duties often include conducting initial assessments through interviews and appointments, listening to clients and offering advice, recommending opportunities, referring them to other support agencies, and coordinating treatment services as needed. Above all, a peer counselor must provide emotional support and guidance to clients, giving them comfort and a shoulder to lean on.

Admissions counselor vs peer counselor salary

Admissions counselors and peer counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Admissions CounselorPeer Counselor
Average salary$39,298$37,464
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $50,000Between $24,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CitySan Rafael, CAHayward, CA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireCalifornia
Best paying companySchool of Visual ConceptsThe Brooklyn Hospital Center
Best paying industryProfessionalEducation

Differences between admissions counselor and peer counselor education

There are a few differences between an admissions counselor and a peer counselor in terms of educational background:

Admissions CounselorPeer Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Admissions counselor vs peer counselor demographics

Here are the differences between admissions counselors' and peer counselors' demographics:

Admissions CounselorPeer Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 38.6% Female, 61.4%Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between admissions counselor and peer counselor duties and responsibilities

Admissions counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage applicant and student files electronically within CampusVue software.
  • Verify insurance HMO, Medicare or Medicaid.
  • Assist in PV's marketing efforts by reaching out to alumni and community.
  • Evaluate transcripts, convert quarterly hours to semester hours as necessary, and calculate the GPA.
  • Receive and execute hundreds of phone calls and e-mails daily from students and parents inquiring about CSU.
  • Give campus tours to prospective students and families; make phone calls to incoming students for CSU events and admissions follow-up.
  • Show more

Peer counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Refer clients (as needed) to inpatient or outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation programs and assist them in qualifying for services.
  • Formulate and edit nutrition education materials and monthly newsletters for WIC participants.
  • Counsele and enroll people in ACA and ABE.
  • Work with multiple groups of undergraduate students to improve GPA's.
  • Present information via PowerPoint and hand-outs to students on the dangers of poor credit decisions.
  • Show more

Admissions counselor vs peer counselor skills

Common admissions counselor skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Admissions Process, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 4%
  • Financial Aid, 4%
Common peer counselor skills
  • Peer Support, 14%
  • Substance Abuse, 9%
  • WIC Program, 9%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 6%

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