by Jane Klemmer, IECA (New York) I am pleased and encouraged that you (current administration) have started a dialogue with college leaders on college affordability. This issue is very personal for me; preoccupation with paying for college is beginning to affect my sleep. I know that my sleep habits are not your concern. However, it’s … Read more »
by Mark H. Sklarow, Executive Director, Independent Educational Consultants Association As we begin 2012, it seems to me that we’ve completed a year in which many in the profession took giant strides forward, some fell back, technology has begun to transform the field, and the very concept of what it means to be an independent … Read more »
by Marcia Kramer, IECA (NJ) I e-mailed Gabe and his parents: “You need to rewrite this essay. It sounds like an adult wrote it.” I decided I’d save the explanation about the admissions reps knowing how 17-year-olds write for the later discussion we would be sure to have when Gabe’s parents denied writing the piece … Read more »
by Sarah Brachman, Manager of Communications, Independent Educational Consultants Association As we say goodbye to 2011, we would like to show appreciation for the many individuals and companies that have been a part of our social media effort. We salute the most active participants in our IECA social media universe. Top 10 Contributors to the … Read more »
by Mark H. Sklarow, Executive Director, Independent Educational Consultants Association I believe in the importance of association: through professional societies, trade associations, and membership organizations, especially for those who work alone or in small business, so individuals can easily connect to others with like minds and similar goals. Not surprisingly, some 19 years ago, when … Read more »
by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, Independent Educational Consultants Association Over the last three years the growth in the number of Chinese students seeking admission to undergraduate programs, boarding schools, and now junior boarding schools, in the United States has been staggering. Coming at a time when domestic growth has stagnated, especially among full-paying families, there … Read more »
by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, Independent Educational Consultants Association I had a very frustrating week last week looking over applications for membership in IECA. To be clear, the applicants looked well educated, came with significant experience, and seemed to be dedicated to the independent educational consulting profession. What triggered my frustration was the number of applicants … Read more »
by Lisa Ransdell, Ph.D. IECA Associate Member (Colorado) I read with interest an article in the Nov 27, 2011 Chronicle of Higher Education: “Debt Protestors Denounce Colleges For Broken Promises.” Eric Hoover’s article described the interesting ways in which Occupy Wall Street activists are protesting the high cost of attending college, including the possibility of mass pledges … Read more »
by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA Attending The Association of Boarding Schools annual conference in Boston last week provided a wonderful opportunity to get a sense of where residential schooling stands as the new year approaches. Through personal conversations and seeing which topics filled rooms for breakouts, as well as listening to school-to-school discussions in … Read more »
by Lucy Pritzker, IECA Associate Member (New Jersey) 1. Predictability Boarding schools provide a predictable routine that is impossible to replicate at home. All difficult children, whether they suffer from an anxiety disorder, a mood disorder, Asperger’s, or ADHD, thrive on predictable routines. At boarding school, meals are served at a precise time each day, … Read more »