Start From Here: Respect Independent Educational Consultants (IECs)
by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA
One of IECA newest professional members, Corey Fischer (Virginia), brought to my attention a quote that, let’s just say, ruffled her feathers. Corey knows well the world of college admissions. She worked at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Rhode Island before going to the other side of the desk to work as a college counselor at two respected boarding schools. She works now as an independent educational consultant (IEC) as the principal of her firm, CollegeClarity.
It has been a rough fight, but over the past 20 years, IECA has worked tirelessly to help reshape the image of IECs and to ensure that both the general public and allied professionals understand our role. We have sought to demonstrate the values groups like IECA and NACAC embrace and call attention to those less ethical practitioners who do not—can not—join our organizations. Of course that effort is ongoing. Members demonstrate daily through their work, and the Association demonstrates through its messaging, that IECs are all about the match between student and college, that ethical IECs do not write student essays, and smart IECs make sure students take the lead in planning, applying, and transitioning to the next stage of their lives.
The frustration Corey felt came in an article in University of Virginia’s “Cavalier Daily” earlier this month. In the article, the current president of NACAC, James Miller, says that his organization sees the use of consulting firms as “inappropriate” in some ways. “We see a college admission process as not so much a prize to be won, but a fit to be made,” he said. “We think it is fine to help students go through the thought process and help them probe what they might want to write about, but not to the point that the coach or counselor is editing or helping to create the essay or other things.”
That Mr. Miller suggests ANYONE heavily edits students’ essays is troubling, but to offer a view that NACAC believes independent educational consultants regularly engage in such behavior is disturbing; and it is unacceptable for him to suggest that NACAC believes using an IEC is “inappropriate” when these are his own members!
I remind Mr. Miller that NACAC’s membership—his membership as president—includes hundreds of IECs. When he declares the entire profession as inappropriate he is being critical of his own members, but moreover is attributing behaviors that are not practiced by professionals in the field. Perhaps Mr. Miller should have noted that while a small number of IECs do operate unethically—like any profession—those who go through the intense exploration of education, background, training, experience, and ethics pledges required by NACAC and IECA are to be admired. Perhaps Mr. Miller should read NACAC’s own, current issue of “The Journal of College Admission.” I direct him to page 7 where he can see the ethical guideposts for IECs laid bare.
One thing I take from all of this is the importance of organizations like IECA who seek to serve as the voice of independent educational consultants, who defend members from false assertions, and educate the public about what to look for. IECA can do more because all of our members—100%—are highly qualified, ethical IECs, so we can operate solely in the profession’s best interest. As IECA grows in size and stature (our membership is now approaching 1,000), we can also grow in our ability to teach the public and educate fellow professionals about the role of IECs in ensuring all students have the opportunity to find a college where they can grow, thrive, and succeed.
To learn more about what we do, visit our newly re-launched media page. We also invite all unaffiliated IECs, as well as those who belong to NACAC and regional ACACs, to discover how membership in IECA (along with their existing memberships) can help promote the profession and extend our vision.
Related posts:
- Independent Educational Consulting At the Tipping Point: What Colleges Need to Know as Private College Consulting Explodes
- Heading to NACAC: 5 Things That Independent Educational Consultants Need to Share with College Admission Representatives
- IECs and School Counselors: What Do We Have in Common?
- Nearly 100 Presenters will Examine Hot Topics in College Admission, Boarding Schools, Special Purpose Programs & Independent Educational Consulting
- “Getting Kids Into” Ivy League Colleges: Absolutely NOT the Job of an Independent Educational Consultant
I was very disheartened to learn that the President of NACAC, James Miller, spoke negatively about independent educational consultants. I joined NACAC (and IECA) because I believe in its Principles of Good Practice, because I too am concerned with students finding colleges that fit them both academically and socially, because I believe in an ethical college admissions process, and because I value the collegiality among colleagues who share my values. I am aware that some consultants may behave unethically. However, I also believe they are in the distinct minority. I find Mr. Miller’s remarks unfounded and deeply disturbing. Indeed, I would question whether Mr. Miller views represent what NACAC views or rather a personal opinion.
Mark,
At the stage I was interviewed, the conversation was solely about vendors, mostly or entirely online, who were selling services to help students with video production or essay writing. At no time during the interview did we discuss independent counselors.
I have long recognized the value that independent counselors bring to the admission counseling process and voted affirmatively when NACAC decided to add them to our membership.
Sometimes articles take on a life of their own, especially when a student reporter follows the story. Because the article was about extraordinary student efforts for attention, I referred her to a colleague to get information about the piano on the beach.
NACAC and I affirm appreciation of and respect for our independent colleagues. Anyone who is concerned about my perspectives or those of NACAC is invited to call or write me. And it’s always best to follow the journalist’s rule of going to the source to get the facts, before writing your own story. A phone call for clarification would have been appreciated.
Jim
Jim, I appreciate the clarification and your support for this important profession. As someone whose comments have also, at times, been taken out of context, I should have communicated with you before filing my blog. As always, IECA will continue to promote close working relationships with allied professionals within and beyond NACAC to best serve the needs of students.
I too want to thank Mr. Miller for his clarification. I am heartened that he indeed appreciates the important role that independent educational consultants play in the college admissions process.
Lessons learned by all for all!