In the ideal world, school counselors would have the time and energy to serve all students in the college admissions process by proving them with 1:1 attention. However, the reality is that most are overworked and underresourced. Furthermore, given the complexity of college admissions and the competing demands high school counselors face (e.g., scheduling, AP testing, crises management, etc.), it can be difficult for them to keep current with trends, visit college campuses, speak with admissions counselors, etc.. 

As working conditions and compensation in professions such as real estate and higher education become more challenging, there has been an uptick in people from all walks of life becoming Independent Educational Consultants, also known as IECs and Independent College Admissions Counselors. While it is difficult for actual career educators such as myself, who have dedicated their professional lives to acquiring the education and skills necessary to guide young people during their formative years, to see the profession diluted, it is even more challenging for families to know how to figure out who has the qualifications, skills, and attributes necessary to make positive impacts on their children’s lives. The first step to ensuring an IEC is qualified is to ask relevant questions.

ONE: What qualifies you to work with my student?

Since the educational consultant profession has minimal – if any – regulation and oversight, it is essential to understand what the letters following a name mean. I am not implying that you should not hire an IEC whose primary credentials are professional organization membership nor that a degree in a field other than education or counseling is not valuable. Instead, I suggest that understanding an IEC’s credentials is the first step to becoming an informed consumer. Good starting questions include, “how long have you been working with teens?” “what credentials do you have that are specific to guiding and/or teaching teens during the college admissions process?” 

TWO: Are you certified, and what professional organizations do you belong to?

Only consider a certified college counselor, ideally a member of the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (i.e., a Certified Educational Planner). An IEC who has at LEAST completed a College Counseling certificate program (e.g., UCLA or UC Irvine) and meets the standards required to join and maintain membership in organizations such as HECA or IECA provides a baseline. Once this is established, ask questions such as, “beyond professional memberships and basic certification, what are your credentials?” and “describe your experience working with teens during their college admissions process?”

THREE: What is your process?

While some IECs prefer a more holistic approach to ensure that they have all of the information needed to recommend colleges and advise on class selection, majors, essays, etc., others are willing to work on a more limited basis by providing check-ins, basic editing services, and access to video libraries. Ensure you feel confident that the process meets your student’s needs. If you are looking for a comprehensive process, make sure that everything you need is included. Ask questions such as, “is your process more relational or transactional?” “can you describe your essay process”?, “how does your process encourage positive growth and development in your clients?” “what and how do you teach students? and “what is the research that backs your process?”

FOUR: What do you do to help reduce stress and anxiety?

Applying to college is complex and often emotional, and stress will inevitably arise. Ask what specific strategies and processes the IEC uses to facilitate a smooth application process. Select an IEC with the skills to reduce anxiety. Ask questions such as, “what strategies do you use to help students manage stress during the college admissions process?” “how do you advise students with high levels of academic anxiety?”

FIVE: How do you determine “good fit”?

Look for an emphasis on individual student qualities, learning styles, preferences, interests, and post-graduate goals, versus a one-size-fits-all approach. Ask questions such as, “what tools do you use to evaluate college fit?” and “how do you handle situations where students are set on attending colleges that are not the right fit for them?”

SIX: How many students do you work with at a time?

While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, it is essential to consider student needs, preferences, and expectations. While we prefer the intimacy of a boutique practice to give clients the face time and oversight they need, others may have systems in place (e.g., videos) that mitigate the need for one-on-one contact. Ask questions such as, “how many students do you work with?” and “how do you ensure clients are served in the event of illness and/or travel?”

SEVEN: Can I speak with prior clients?

Finding a name on the internet can be scary. Speaking with clients who know an IEC can help offset the anxiety of hiring an IEC.

EIGHT: How many clients have you worked with in the past?

Look for significant breadth and depth of professional experience and knowledge. Ask questions such as, “how many students have you worked with during your career as an educator and/or college admissions counselor?” 

NINE: What software do you use for client communication, scheduling, college list-building, research, and financial aid support?

Seek an IEC that invests in and utilizes available resources to support an efficient, effective, and data-driven college admissions process. Ask questions such as, “what platform do you use to manage and track student progress?” “how do you encourage student accountability?  “what resources do you provide to help students research colleges?”and “how do you ensure that the data you use are the most up-to-date?”

TEN: Do you specialize in any particular area of college counseling?

Nobody can be an expert in everything. When selecting an IEC, ensure their expertise is relevant and matches your needs. For example, if a student has learning disabilities, ADHD, or is on the spectrum, it is strongly recommended that they work with an IEC with significant experience working with such students. Ask questions such as “what  experience do you have with working with students with LDs, ADHD, ASD, etc.? and “what training and expertise have you acquired to ensure that you are prepared to meet the needs of neurodivergent students?” “how do you evaluate the level of support a student will need to succeed in college?” “how do you ensure that neurodivergent students attend colleges and universities where they will have access to the servies they need to succeed?” and  “how do you evaluate a college or university’s disability services? 

ELEVEN: Have you ever worked with a student whose profile was similar to mine?

Don’t be a crash-test dummy: select an IEC who has worked with students with similar profiles. Ask questions such as, “can you tell me about a time when you worked with a student similar to mine, and what were the outcomes?”

TWELVE: How often do you communicate with parents, and do your packages limit the total number of hours and/or meetings?

Understanding expectations up front helps prevent disappointment and frustration. Though some IECs limit the number of hours in a comprehensive package, others, commit to the time it takes to get the job done. Ask questions such as,  “how do you keep parents in the loop?” and “do you have a cap on the hours you work with clients?”

THIRTEEN: What advice do you give clients regarding the use of AI in writing college essays?

While the jury is still out on how AI will impact college admissions, we recommend working with an IEC who understands AI and is aware of what is – and is not – permissible by colleges. Ask questions such as, “what advice and education do you provide on the use of AI in the college admissions process?”

FOURTEEN: What tools do you use for college financial aid questions?

College financial aid is exceedingly complicated. Working with an IEC that specializes in financial aid or has expert resources to support clients can save you money, no matter your tax bracket. Ask questions such as, “what is your level of college financial aid expertise?” and “what financial aid resources do you provide for your clients?” and “do you help with the FAFSA and CSS Profile?”

FIFTEEN: What is your philosophy on loans beyond federal loans?

Avoid IECs who promote loans beyond the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. Ask questions such as, “how do you ensure students apply to colleges that are affordable for them”? and “what advice do you give students and families on taking out loans to pay for college?”

SIXTEEN: How many colleges do you visit in person (including taking the college’s official tours and meeting with admissions officers) each year?

Dedicated, full-time professional IECs visit college campuses regularly. Speaking with admissions officers provides unique opportunities to gain information not publicly available on websites. Ask questions such as, “how many college campuses do you visit each year?” and “how many college campuses have you visited during your career?”

SEVENTEEN: What professional development do you regularly complete, such as participating in webinars and attending training and conferences?

Although professional development is not required to be an IEC, we only recommend hiring an IEC who invests significant time and resources into professional development. Ask questions such as, “how do you ensure that you keep current with the knowledge required to serve students?”

EIGHTEEN: Is college counseling your full-time job?

Hiring a professional should be the goal. Be sure to ask if college counseling is the IEC’s full-time profession and, if they work in the field only part-time, whether that impacts their ability to keep current with the evolving college admissions landscape.  Ideally, work with an IEC who is committed full-time to the profession versus doing it as a hobby.  Ask yourself if you would hire a part time surgeon or other professional.

NINETEEN: Do you guarantee admission to a particular school or one of my top choices? 

If an IEC assures you of admissions to any college or type of college, run. Such guarantees, reminiscent of the Varsity Blues scandal, are a red flag and indicative of a scam.

TWENTY: Do you pay or accept referral fees from any person, company, or other entity? 

If an IEC is being paid by a college, program, or school, this is a conflict of interest. Importantly, it violates IECA’s Principles of Good Practice,  HECA Code of Ethics, and the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners’ Principles of Good Practice, which states, “the CEP neither solicits nor accepts compensation from any school, college, institution, or special program for placement of a student. In addition, the CEP avoids actions that could give parents, schools, colleges, special programs, colleagues, or other professionals even the appearance of soliciting or accepting such compensation.” Do not hire an IEC who can’t prioritize your interests. 

TWENTY-ONE: Describe your pricing structure. 

There are a variety of pricing structures, thus, it is vital to understand your investment in independent college counseling services BEFORE you sign a contract. Packages are typically comprehensive and provide the benefit of capping costs. Hourly rates may also be an option. Either way, pick the best option for you and your family. 

For additional guidance on hiring an Independent College Admisisons Counselor, please reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com.