Your child’s college education is one of the most significant investments your family will make. Similar to hiring any professional (real estate broker, lawyer, or accountant), an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) brings specialized expertise and firsthand knowledge to an increasingly competitive and complex college admissions process. IECs stay on top of the latest policies and trends in higher education. By regularly visiting colleges and meeting with school reps across the country, they are up to date on new offerings and developments as well as evolving student life and campus culture to help guide their clients. Most importantly, they help ease the stress of applying to college for both students and families by breaking down the process into manageable steps while providing individualized support along the way.

Your high school counselor plays an essential role in the college planning process, responsible for submitting key elements of your application and managing other components and deadlines. Unfortunately, they can be spread thin and may not have a lot of time to devote to each student. The current student-to-counselor ratio in U.S. public schools is 408 to 1, and each student receives an average of 38 minutes of college counseling during their 4 years of high school. I work one-on-one year-round with a limited number of clients, providing a highly personalized and tailored approach to ensure each school on your college list is a strong fit academically, socially, and financially.

I work with a broad range of students with various academic profiles, interests, and backgrounds. Whether you’re seeking services and support for a learning difference or researching honors programs, each person’s educational journey and application strategy is unique.

An ideal time to start the college process is junior year. This allows for a well-paced approach that can alleviate stress down the road when high school becomes increasingly busier. That said, it’s never too late to begin, and I meet students where they’re at any point in their journey.

I’m based in New York City and work with clients all over the country. Most of my meetings with students and families are held virtually over Zoom and occasionally in person.

Hiring a member of IECA ensures that you will work with a professional with proven credentials and connections to a network of experienced colleagues worldwide. Educational Consultants who are members of IECA are fully vetted and demonstrate the highest standards in education, training, ethics, and experience.