21 Questions Worth Asking Before Hiring an Independent College Admissions Counselor

In a world where anyone can claim to be an expert, selecting an Independent Educational Consultant (also known as an IEC) is not easy. Ensure that you hire a qualified IEC by asking the following 21 questions.

ONE: What qualifies you to work with my student and family?

Since the educational consultant profession has minimal regulation and oversight, it is essential to understand what the letters following the name mean. I am not implying that you should not hire an IEC whose primary credentials are professional organization memberships nor that a degree in a field other than education or counseling is not valuable. Instead, I suggest understanding an IEC’s credentials is the first step to becoming an informed consumer. Good starting questions include, "how long have you been working with teens?" "what credentials do you have that are specific to guiding and/or teaching teens?"  and "what was your prior career and how did the skills you acquired prepare you to work with teens?"

TWO: Are you certified, and what professional organizations do you belong to?

Select a certified college counselor, ideally a member of the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (i.e., a Certified Educational Planner). An IEC who has at LEAST completed a College Counseling certificate program (e.g., UCLA or UC Irvine) meets the standards required to join and maintain membership in organizations such as HECA or IECA is recommended.

THREE: What is your process?

While some IECs prefer a more holistic approach to ensure that they have all of the information needed to recommend colleges and advise on class selection, essay topics, etc., others are willing to work on a more limited basis. Ensure you feel confident that the process meets your needs. If you are looking for a comprehensive process, make sure that everything you need is included. A good question to ask is, "how will my student grow from working with you?"

FOUR: What do you do to help reduce stress and anxiety?

Applying to college is complex and often emotional: stress will inevitably arise. Ask what specific strategies and processes the IEC uses to facilitate a smooth application process. Select an IEC with the skills to reduce anxiety.

FIVE: How do you determine what a “good fit” college means?

Look for an emphasis on individual student qualities, preferences, interests, and post-graduate goals, not a one-size fits all approach.

SIX: How many students do you work with at a time?

While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, it is essential to consider student needs, preferences, and expectations. While we prefer the intimacy of a boutique practice to give clients the face time and oversight they need, others may have systems in place (e.g., videos) that mitigate the need for one-on-one contact.

SEVEN: Can I speak with prior clients?

Speaking with clients who know an IEC can help offset the anxiety of hiring an IEC.

EIGHT: How many clients have you worked with in the past?

Look for significant breadth and depth of professional experience and knowledge.

NINE: What software do you use for client communication, scheduling, college list-building, research, and financial aid support?

Seek an IEC who invests in and utilizes the resources to support an efficient, effective, and data-driven college admissions process.

TEN: Do you specialize in any particular area of college counseling?

Nobody can be an expert in everything. When selecting an IEC, ensure their expertise is relevant and current and matches your needs. For example, if a student has learning disabilities, ADHD, or is on the spectrum, working with an IEC with significant experience working with such students is strongly recommended.

ELEVEN: Have you ever worked with a student whose profile was similar to mine?

Don’t be a crash-test dummy: select an IEC who has worked with students with similar profiles.

TWELVE: How often do you communicate with parents, and do your packages limit the total number of hours and/or meetings?

Understanding expectations up-front helps prevent disappointment and frustration. Though some IECs limit the number of hours in a comprehensive package, others, like us, commit to the time it takes to get the job done.

THIRTEEN: What advice do you give clients regarding the use of AI in writing college essays?

While the jury is still out on how AI will impact college essays, we recommend working with an IEC who understands AI and is aware of what the Common App and colleges determine is – and is not – allowed.

FOURTEEN: What tools do you use for college financial aid questions?

College financial aid is exceedingly complicated. Working with an IEC who specializes in financial aid or has expert resources to support clients can save you money, no matter your tax bracket.

FIFTEEN: What is your philosophy on loans beyond federal loans?

Avoid IECs who promote loans beyond the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans.

SIXTEEN: How many colleges do you visit in person (including taking the college’s official tours and meeting with admissions officers) each year?

Dedicated, full-time professional IECs take the time to visit college campuses regularly. Speaking with admissions officers provides the unique opportunity to gain information not publicly available on websites.

SEVENTEEN: What professional development do you do on a regular basis, such as participating in webinars and attending training and conferences?

Although professional development is not required to become an IEC, we only recommend hiring an IEC who invests significant time and resources into professional development.

EIGHTEEN: Is college counseling your full-time job?

Hiring a professional should be the goal. Be sure to ask if college counseling is the IEC’s full-time profession and, if they work in the field only part-time, whether that impacts their ability to keep current with the evolving college admissions landscape.

NINETEEN: Do you guarantee admission to a particular school or one of my top choices?

If an IEC makes assurance of admissions to any college or type of college: RUN. Such guarantees, reminiscent of the Varsity Blues scandal, are a red flag.

TWENTY: Do you pay or accept any referral fees to or from any person, company, or other entity?

If an IEC is being paid by a college, program, or school, this is a conflict of interest. Importantly, it violates IECA’s Principles of Good Practice, HECA Code of Ethics, and the American Institute of Certified Educational Planner’s Principles of Good Practice, which states, “the CEP neither solicits nor accepts compensation from any school, college, institution, or special program for placement of a student. In addition, the CEP avoids actions that could give parents, schools, colleges, special programs, colleagues, or other professionals even the appearance of soliciting or accepting such compensation.” Do not hire an IEC who can’t prioritize your interests.

TWENTY-ONE: Describe your pricing structure.

Though there is no right or wrong pricing structure, it is vital to understand your investment in independent college counseling services BEFORE you sign a contract. Packages are typically comprehensive and thus provide the benefit of capping costs. Hourly rates may also be an option. Either way, pick the best option for you and your family.

For more information on how and why to invest in an IEC, what makes us highly qualified, and why our clients choose us, reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com