Admissions Quest

11 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Consultant

1. Do you guarantee admission to a school or a certain minimum dollar value in scholarships?
(If the answer is yes, don't trust them!)

2. How do you keep up with new trends, changes, laws? Do you get out and visit college campuses and meet with admissions representatives?
(The ONLY way to know about the best matches for you is to be out visiting schools regularly)?

3. Do you belong to any professional associations? (NACAC and IECA are the two associations for private consultants) Or, are you a Certified Educational Planner?

4. Do you attend professional conferences, training workshops, etc on a regular basis?

5. Do you ever accept compensation from a school in exchange for placement?

6. Do you adhere to the ethical guidelines for private counseling established by IECA?

7. Are all fees involved stated in writing, up front, indicating exactly what services I will receive for those fees?

8. Will you complete the application for admission, re-write my essays or fill out the financial aid forms on my behalf? (no, they should NOT)

9. How long have you been in business?

10. What was your background prior to going into private counseling? (Helping to get their own child into Princeton is not the answer you're looking for!)

11. Will you use personal contacts to get me in to one of my top choices? (The answer should be NO. A consultant doesn't get you admitted--they help you to demonstrate why you deserve to be admitted).

The Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) is a professional association of full-time experienced independent educational consultants who work with families on school placement issues. 3251 Old Lee Highway, Suite 510, Fairfax, VA 22030, 703/591-4850

Related Items

• 9 Reasons to Work with an Educational Consultant (onBoarding Schools)