Audience

  • Admissions Officers
  • Independent Educational Consultants
  • Parents & Students
  • School Counselors

Student Type

  • College Students

Article Type

  • News
  • Press Release

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, William “Rick” Singer, mastermind of the “Operation Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal, has been released from federal prison and plans to resume college counseling.

Singer, along with over 50 people, including Division I coaches, CEOs, and high-profile Hollywood actors, pleaded guilty or were convicted for the admissions conspiracy. Singer claimed to be an educational consultant and used millions of dollars from wealthy parents of college applicants to fraudulently inflate entrance exam test scores as well as bribe college coaches and administrators. Singer served 16 months in a federal prison camp for four criminal charges associated with his “side door” scheme, including racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the US government, and obstruction of justice.

“While we certainly hope that Singer has been reformed and that his new venture is aboveboard, students and families should proceed with extreme caution,” commented Mark Sklarow, CEO of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). “I urge those looking for college admissions guidance to employ the services of those with extensive knowledge and experience, who have demonstrated a commitment to the highest ethical standards in the profession and have been fully vetted by the leading professional organization in the field.”

Sklarow continued, “College admission offices are keyed into Singer’s wrongdoing and are highly skeptical of his intentions.”

How IECA Assures the Highest Ethical Standards in College Advising

Independent college advisors who seek to join IECA go through an extensive application process designed to assure the public that unlike Singer, the advisor they are working with is knowledgeable, competent, and ethical. They must have a master’s degree (or equivalent), at least three years of admissions counseling experience, experience working with scores of students, and have visited 50 campuses before they can be considered for professional membership. In addition, all members must agree to abide by IECA’s Principles of Good Practice and submit their marketing materials for review to ensure they accurately reflect the independent educational consultant’s role.

IECA members sign an annual pledge that governs their interactions with colleges, students, and parents. They agree to avoid any action that distorts or misrepresents a student’s record or interferes with a university’s ability to accurately evaluate a student. Because IECA consultants are committed to the highest ethical standards of practice, families find that IECA members have the student’s best interest as their sole focus.

IECA has been the gold standard in the independent educational consulting profession since 1976. Recent years have seen tremendous growth in the independent educational consultant profession, with IECA’s membership now totaling close to 3,000 consultants in almost every state and more than 41 countries around the world. Throughout its growth, however, IECA’s adherence to the highest standards in ethical, student-centered advising has remained unchanged.

“Our members are compassionate, dedicated professionals who strive to find the ‘best fit’ college or university for each individual student,” said Sklarow. “They focus on the student’s unique needs to help them have a successful experience at college, wherever they choose to attend.”

Audience

  • Admissions Officers
  • Independent Educational Consultants
  • Parents & Students
  • School Counselors

Student Type

  • College Students

Article Type

  • News
  • Press Release

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