Do you need an independent educational consultant?
by Timothy B. Lee, ED.M
[from SouthEast Education Network FALL/WINTER 2006]
Finding the right school, college or program can be a rewarding process, but for some families the experience is challenging, overwhelming and at times frustrating. Few decisions have as great an impact on a student. Families may find themselves at a loss to properly evaluate their options and make appropriate choices. Seeking the services of an independent educational consultant can be the wisest investment a family can make. And, the fees involved may be less than 3% of a four-year college tuition bill.
Hiring an independent educational consultant can give families objective advice, access to reliable information, and the kind of individual attention necessary to make an informed decision. To locate an independent educational consultant in your area, you can search the Independent Educational Consultants Association’s website: www.IECAonline.com. IECA members are required to have a master’s degree, at least three years’ admissions counseling experience, and have worked with scores of students before their applications are considered for membership.
The reasons families hire independent educational consultants vary. Families considering a secondary school typically lack knowledge or familiarity with what the options are. In addition to traditional day schools, there are boarding schools, Learning Disability programs, and public charter schools. While a tremendous amount of information is available on the Internet, an independent educational consultant can provide qualitative analysis for the selection. Consultants have not only visited these schools, but undoubtedly have placed many students there. Consultants are also knowledgeable about the admission process and can advise families every step of the way. IECA member consultants are required to have extensive campus visits—they have visited, on average, over 150 campuses each.
For families considering college, the main reason to hire an independent educational consultant is individualized attention. Most public school guidance counselors would like to assist students individually with the college process but they have too many students to offer much in the way of individual attention. And, they often have many more responsibilities than college counseling: They are responsible for scheduling as well as other social and emotional issues that face teenagers today. Independent consultants can take much of the stress out of the process and be an objective, third-party, helping a family through the process of transitioning from high school and living at home to going off to college and living away from home. IECA member consultants are knowledgeable about local schools as well as national schools.
IECA members understand the importance of their role in the college application process. Members reassure students and parents that there are great college choices for everyone, and help reduce anxiety for both parents and students. Our members believe that the student, not the parent or the consultant, is responsible for driving the application process. Success is judged not by gaining admission, but by a successful experience wherever a student chooses to matriculate. IECA members’ pro bono work and the IECA Foundation seek to get this information into the hands of all families.
Because IECA consultants are committed to the highest ethical standards of practice, families will find that IECA consultants have the student’s best interest as their sole focus. IECA members sign an annual pledge that governs their interactions with colleges, students, and parents. They agree to avoid any action that distorts or misrepresents a student’s record or interfere with a university’s ability to accurately evaluate a student. Because experience, expertise, and personal style vary, families should engage prospective consultants in a discussion about their background, experience, style as well as how the meetings will be conducted, and what the fee structure is before the first meeting.
Employing the services of an educational consultant may be the best investment families can make. Tapping into the knowledge and expertise of a consultant who has extensive experience to guide families in making this important decision can make the difference between a really good match and a less than successful experience.
Tim Lee is IECA’s board president, and director of educational services at AHP Educational Consulting in Sudbury, MA.
Finding the right school or college is one of the most important decisions your family will make. A correct choice will enrich and enhance your student’s life, and can impact his or her future. Finding the right fit, however, can be daunting. That is where an IECA member educational consultant plays a vital role.
IECA member consultants can be trusted to meet your family’s needs because they have met the highest standards in the profession. IECA’s required qualifications include: a master’s degree; at least three years of admissions counseling experience; and experience working with scores of students before we will consider their applications for membership. We also require extensive campus visits—our members, on average, have visited over 150 campuses each, and continue to visit an average of 35 campuses annually.
IECA member educational consultants are first and foremost advocates for the student. They are not affiliated with any institution or program. Consultants help your family identify the learning environment that best suits the individual needs of your student. They offer unbiased help in evaluating the pros and cons of every institution, and help sort through the glut of information that can be overwhelming.
IECA member consultants are specialists. They bring a vast knowledge to their practice with experience in secondary and higher education, school and college admissions, counseling and psychology. Depending on their specialty, some are experienced in all areas of school placement. Others focus on particular age groups or issues such as learning differences, behavioral problems, or overseas placements. IECA members pride themselves on their first-hand knowledge of educational institutions. They visit campuses to learn about their unique academic, athletic, housing and community features, and continually keep up-to-date on changes and admission trends.
IECA member consultants provide individual attention to the student and family. They will help you choose the school or college that provides the best environment for your student’s educational, social, and personal growth. With their extensive knowledge of schools and colleges, consultants can broaden the potential choices, and provide vital help in weighing factors such as cost, location and curriculum. With a consultant, your student has the opportunity to explore a wider variety of options and discuss possibilities in a meaningful way. Because they are not tied to any specific school or college, IECA member consultants are not burdened with unrelated duties, and are available at the family’s convenience—not just during school hours during the school year.
- Experience
IECA members are serious professionals. They must have at least three years of experience in admissions counseling and have worked with scores of students before we will consider their applications for membership. Each application is reviewed by a committee of respected peers, assuring professionalism and competence.
- Campus Knowledge
IECA members have, on average, visited more than 150 college campuses each, and spend about 20% of their time each year touring colleges to stay knowledgeable and up-to-date.
- Professional Integrity
IECA members sign a yearly pledge that governs their interactions with colleges, students, and parents. They agree to avoid any action that distorts or misrepresents a student’s record or interferes with a university’s ability to get an accurate picture of a student. IECA members affirm yearly that they will accept no compensation from a university, college, or any institution in exchange for placement.
- Truth in Advertising
As a criterion for membership, IECA consultants must submit their marketing materials so that we can ensure no false promises are made to prospective clients. When communicating with students and parents, IECA members emphasize finding a great match, rather than merely “getting in.” Some in the college consulting field who are not members of our Association do make outlandish promises to win over potential clients. IECA’s stringent Principles of Good Practice discourage such promises and we bar those who make them from membership.
- Education
IECA members don’t stumble into college consulting. We require a master’s degree in counseling or an appropriate field, or similar experience and training.
- Commitment To Keep Current
No association places a greater emphasis on professional training. IECA sponsors conferences and workshops meant to ensure that our members understand the very latest trends in admission, learning theory, and adolescent behavior. Our seminars featuring well-known experts in the field have become so popular that local school counselors and admission directors vie with our members for these ‘standing room only’ learning opportunities.
- Services For All Students
Yes, educational consultants are hired by families with the ability to pay for their services. But IECA members are different in two ways: First, over 90% of our members do significant pro bono work, either individually or through charitable organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs, City at Peace, and College Summit. In addition, IECA’s Foundation has served over half a million students in the last five years and has contributed over $200,000 in free programming to help school-based counselors and parents better meet the needs of all students during this
important time in their lives.
- Dedication To Reducing Anxiety
Every member of IECA understands his or her important role in the college application process. Members immediately seek to reassure students and parents that there are great college choices for everyone, and commit to help reduce anxiety for both parents and students. Our members believe that the student, not the parent or the consultant, is responsible for driving the application process. Success is judged not by gaining admission, but by a successful experience wherever a student chooses to matriculate.
- Respect Of Colleagues
Members in IECA must demonstrate their commitment to students’ welfare and professional standards by providing professional references. Given their extensive knowledge and experience, it’s not surprising that IECA members are routinely tapped for national and regional boards, presentations, and lectures.
- Stringent Ethical Standards
Rarely, but occasionally, a member violates the spirit of the principles cited on this page. When that happens, the member is removed from IECA. Those removed from membership are ineligible to rejoin our Association. This is the only way we can assure you that when a consultant is an IECA member, it means something.
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