What a wonderful sharing of ideas and thoughts over the past several days. Many members of IECA posted comments on New York Times’ “The Choice” blog as well as the IECA blog, and many more sent me comments directly. I loved that the comments were uniformly well-thought, serious, professional with a clear message: IECA Member educational consultants do what they do because they believe in empowering students to be successful, they believe in the power of a good “match” and they know their IECA membership is meaningful.

These views contrasted with some of the petty and hateful comments heard by some outside of our community and even by a few non-IECA consultants. But today I’d like to celebrate the wonderful remarks I read by reprinting a few of those here from among our own membership.

From Suzanne Miller (Associate Member, NY)
The vast majority of us charge modest fees for valid, sincere services. We must go through a strict screening process prior to admission to [IECA]. We spend a significant amount of time traveling around the country learning about the various colleges and universities so we may help our families create realistic lists of college choices. I educate my families that admission to college is not a prize to be won, but a match to be made. My goal is not to secure admission to the “best” schools for my students, but to guide them through the process, with the ultimate goal of finding a good fit academically, socially, and financially.

From, Emily Snyder (Professional Member, VA)
Most consultants work hard to balance providing cost effective services for an affordable fee which will, at the end of the day, allow them to pay their expenses and still make a living. Each consultant is responsible for his/her own fees associated with training, professional development, memberships in organizations, and travel to visit colleges and universities across the Country, and in some cases internationally. Couple that with the operational costs associated with owning one’s own business, which in some cases includes providing health care coverage. Additionally, do what is necessary to to maintain the standards of excellence that IECA members pride themselves on while simultaneously providing the level of high quality services that the families we work with expect, many of us find ourselves in the position of limiting the number of students we can take on each year.

From Ann Rossbach (Associate Member, NJ)
I am both proud and grateful to be associated with IECA, an organization that upholds stringent standards for independent counselors. My colleagues are educated and devoted professionals who offer guidance to families and meaningful forms of support to students. Many of us undertake pro bono work in schools and communities where college guidance may not always be accessible For one, I am devoted to the concept that access to continued and higher education is a rite, and my vocation as a counselor to all types of students speaks to that.

From Bill Dingledine (Professional Member, SC)
I agree with Mark. I spoke with Jacques as well just prior to the article being published and his attitude was that IECA represented the right approach and that many people would be calling Mark to find out more about the Association its members. Jacques explained to me that he wanted people to realize that there were qualified professionals and then there were charlatans — as he said, “buyer beware” but do your research. I believe that the brevity of the article did not allow enough time/room to present that aspect in balance with the space used to discuss some of the questionable aspects and people of the profession. This attention gives us more opportunity to talk about what really matters and highlights our organization and the qualified professionals who practice ethically.

From Nancy Griesemer (Associate Member, VA)
So why does this generate such anger and earn so many inches of New York Times real estate? I don’t think it’s really about the money or the regulation of the industry. Otherwise, we’d be reading about other pieces of the college admissions pie like test prep services or highly-marketed publications that rank colleges. What I’m reading is more of an indictment of the entire college admissions process. Where is the fairness? Why do some folks have an edge and others don’t? And on a more personal level: Why didn’t I get into my top-pick school? Why didn’t my child have more offers of admission? And, why did my neighbor’s kid get in when everyone knows he’s such a little rat? Because the process has taken over from the goal, which should be to find “fit” and not “prestige” through a professional and humane system of college advising. And, this is what I do at a rate commensurate with that of a good academic tutor.

Why do I have a business? In the rush to cut budgets, an increasing number of high school students are getting lost in huge guidance caseloads. A substantial percent of my clients have never met with a guidance counselor on a one-to-one basis and have no idea how to go about assessing colleges or college opportunities. Does this mean they should pull themselves up by the bootstraps and persevere in the face of adversity? It appears that way from the commenting parents crowing about their personal triumphs or those of their children (it’s amazing how parents internalize the accomplishments of their children in this business). I believe that if you need help whether in calculus, coiff3ur, interior design, or investment, it’s acceptable to seek it out. And yes, some folks can afford more than others. Does that mean they’ve gained unfair edge? Not necessarily. I may be a bargain, but I’m really pretty good at working with unmotivated, confused kids who need a little boost when it comes to thinking about colleges.

From Christie Woodfin (Professional Member, GA)
There are multiple tragedies between the lines of this article:
+The greed of some independent, uncredentialed and unethical counselors
+The assumption of parents that their children must matriculate at a prestigious school in order to succeed in life
+The anxiety that is aroused in students who, in accord with their parents’ assumptions, equate their own self-worth with their college acceptances
+The loss of enjoyment in the moment for high school students who view their teenage years only as the time to prepare of their transcript
+The inability to appreciate that different students flourish in different environments. The job of the independent consultant should be to help each client identify the kind of college setting where he or she will thrive, to point her to the specific institutions that are most appropriate for her interests and level of academic engagement, and to lower the anxiety around the process.

If a consultant is promising to get a student into a certain type of university without regard to the needs of the adolescent, the family should grab their wallets and run in the other direction.

From Marilyn Emerson (Professional Member, NY)
As the Membership Chairperson of IECA, as well as a CEP (Certified Educational Planner), I can say with certainty that the students and families that the vast majority of our members work with are NOT the over- indulgent narcissists referred to by some writers.

Most often, client families are simply seeking advice and assistance in making the best choice for their child. Sometimes they are families with special needs or in special situations that require time and attention in excess of what most busy school guidance counselors are able to provide. Common examples include single parents, children with chronic diseases and students with learning differences. For these and many families, selection of a college that is right for the child, a college that not only the student can get into, but where he can succeed academically and socially, can present special challenges.

From Betsy Woolf (Professional Member, NY)
I spend hours and hours talking to students and parents, clarifying and explaining what to many has become a mysterious journey. I think about each individual student and what is best for him or her; I answer a parent’s phone call at 9:30 at night, troubleshoot a frantic call from a student who has hit the button sending an application prematurely, reassure a student that his SAT score doesn’t mean he cannot get into college, brainstorm ideas with the student who says, “I’m just an average teen – there’s nothing for me to write about” (yes, there is); and on and on.

On top of that I spend a lot of time visiting colleges, reading journals, attending conferences, doing research. It’s not frivolous work, but rather, a big job and a big responsibility that I take very seriously. College counseling is a service that I am proud to offer, and probably one of the most gratifying things I have done in my professional lifetime. Guiding a student through a process of self-discovery and helping him or her find a college that satisfies his or her needs – academically, socially and emotionally – truly makes me proud.

From Farron Peatross (Professional Member, LA)
Quite frankly, very few of my southern client’s parents hire me with the intent of helping their child with admission to an ivy league school. Most parents are interested in their child attending a school that is a good match for them academically and socially. They are unsure about aspects of the college search process and appreciate the security of knowing that they and their child are following the admission requirements and deadlines. Additionally, they have my quick response to their questions and concerns, as opposed to finding an answer through the public school system or in college guides, as well as, my knowledge of many different schools in all areas of our country.

My fee for my services barely cover my business and travel expenses to the hundreds of colleges that I have toured over the years as a requirement for my career and re certification as a Certified Educational Planner. As with most of my colleagues, who are reputable and caring professionals, our best compensation is the appreciation of our clients.

Related posts:

1. The New York Times Article on Independent Counselors
2. Educational Consultants and the NY Times Article
3. Transitioning from a School or College to Independent Educational Consulting
4. 100+ IECA Members Creating a Buzz at NACAC
5. Why DO IECA Members Travel So Much?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 8:06 am and is filed under educational consulting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.