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Article provided by the Independent Educational Consultants Association
Considering an educational consultant? Make sure to ask these 11 questions before hiring a prospective 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
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