Navigating the college admissions landscape can be overwhelming. An Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) offers personalized, expert guidance tailored to your student's unique strengths, interests, and aspirations. Unlike school counselors who often have large caseloads, an IEC provides dedicated time and in-depth knowledge of hundreds of colleges, helping you identify best-fit schools, craft compelling applications, and strategize for scholarships. This specialized support can significantly reduce stress for families and increase the likelihood of finding a college where your student will truly thrive.
While it's never too late to seek guidance, and while we do meet with students during their freshman year to walk through academic planning and make sure the student is set up for a successful high school journey, the ideal time to begin working with an IEC is during the sophomore year of high school. This allows ample time for students to explore interests, build a strong academic and extracurricular profile, prepare for standardized tests, and thoroughly research college options without feeling rushed. However, we are prepared and ready to assist students at any stage of their high school journey.
When selecting an IEC, we recommend that families look for the following:
Training and Expertise: Look for consultants with specialized training in college counseling, often demonstrated through graduate certificates or advanced degrees.
Professional Memberships: Membership in recognized professional organizations like the International Educational Consultants Association (IECA) or the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) signifies a commitment to professional development, ethical practice, and staying current with industry trends.
Ethics: A reputable IEC adheres to strict ethical guidelines, such as those set by professional organizations including IECA, HECA and NACAC, ensuring your student's best interests are always paramount. They should never make guarantees about admission to specific schools, write essays, or directly fill out college applications.
Communication Style: Choose someone whose communication style resonates with both you and your student, fostering an open and productive partnership.
No reputable IEC can or will guarantee admission to any specific college or university. The admissions process is holistic and highly competitive, with many factors outside of anyone's control. Our role is to maximize your child's chances of admission to their preferred schools by helping them present their strongest application, identify best-fit institutions, and develop a balanced college list. Our objective is to find a college where your child will be happy, challenged, and successful.
College search/fit:
BigFuture by College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
College research: Niche.com
Business program information: poetsandquants.com
Student athlete information: NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
General Resources:
Common App: www.commonapp.org
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): fafsa.gov
Scholarship search engine: fastweb.com
CSS Profile: cssprofile.collegeboard.org
Testing:
Test optional/test free college list: fairtest.org
ACT: act.org
SAT/AP: collegeboard.org
SAT Prep Hub Kahn Academy: khanacademy.org/SAT