iec

Hiring an IEC is still a good idea for many families looking to garner the assistance and knowledge of colleges and the application process for their son or daughter from an in-field expert. It still makes good sense!

A good IEC walks a student through the college selection and application process by approaching the front door. When working with IECs, it’s not about getting students admitted — we find it far more rewarding to usher the student through a process of admissibility into the colleges or universities unique to their personal profile. All-in-all, IEC’s are looking for institutions of goodfit!

The Independent Educational Consultants Association describes the fundamental role of an independent educational consultant as one who help students explore college opportunities and find the right place for them to succeed academically and socially. IECs don’t get students admitted—they help students demonstrate why they deserve to be admitted at appropriately chosen schools. They help students find colleges they might not have heard of—often out of their region—and they help students put their best foot forward.

So, if you’re looking to hire an IEC, here are 5 things families should consider first:

1. Does the IEC belong to a professional association such as IECA with established and rigorous standards for membership?
2. Do not trust any offers of guaranteed admission to a school or a certain minimum dollar value in scholarships.
3. Ensure that the IEC adheres to the ethical guidelines for private counseling established by IECA.
4. Find an IEC that visits college, school, and program campuses and meets with admissions representatives regularly in order to keep up with new trends, academic changes and evolving campus cultures. 
5. Do they attend professional conferences or training workshops on a regular basis to keep up with regional and national trends and changes in the law?

If you would like more information on considering an IEC at Capstone, let us know here!