What to Look For When Hiring a College Admissions Consultant
April 7, 2024 | By Daniel Strom
Embarking on the college admissions journey can be overwhelming, which is why more families are turning to admissions consultants for guidance. With a plethora of options available, it's essential to know what to look for and what to avoid when hiring a consultant. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the maze of college admissions consulting.
What to Look for (A Qualified Consultant Should Have at Least One of the Following):
Membership in a Professional Association: A reputable consultant should be a member of at least one professional association that vets their members to ensure they have solid experience and adhere to ethical standards. Some of these organizations include the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), and the International Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC). Members of these organizations have spent years studying admissions case studies and trends—many of which are not available to the public.
Prior Experience in a University Admissions Role: Who could be better equipped to help you position your application than a former admissions reader, officer, or representative with first-hand knowledge of what admissions committees are looking for?
What to Avoid:
Current College Students: Just because they got into the college of your dreams, it does not mean they know what the college is looking for. Sure, it would be cool to take voice lessons from Celine Dion, but is she really a teacher who can communicate and pass her impeccable vocal technique to students, or is she more of an innate performer? My guess is the latter. I have seen some dangerous misinformation from high school and college students who are not qualified to advise applicants. While many may have good intentions, the amount of bad advice out there is staggering.
Ghostwriters: Just don’t do it, unless you want to share a jail cell with Lori Loughlin.
Firms that Offer Guarantees: This is not realistic and is against IECA’s policy.
Companies that Turn Students Away for Not Being High Achieving Enough OR that Boast Suspiciously High Admissions Rates for their Students: Some firms will only accept students in the 99th percentile nationwide, as they will have a better shot at getting admitted to competitive schools, ultimately allowing the company to make it appear that a majority of their students gain admission to highly selective colleges.
Poor Employee Reviews on Glassdoor (For Larger Organizations): If the employees are not being treated well, morale will likely suffer, leading to students receiving an inadequate amount of attention.
Overall, hiring a college consultant should not be rushed. It is essential to find someone with a genuine passion for this work—a professional you or your child can trust and vibe with. Before making such an important investment, remember that the person you hire is responsible for guiding you or your child to success.
About Daniel Strom
Daniel Strom co-founded Elite Scholar Advising, which provides tailored advice to college applicants worldwide. He is a proud graduate of Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management, where he also developed admissions experience through his role as an admissions representative. In addition, he also served on the Northwestern Alumni Admissions Interviewing Council. Daniel has helped hundreds of college applicants across the world realize their full potential by gaining admission to their dream schools.