Would you trust your child’s future to someone who guarantees Ivy League admission—or writes their essays for them?
In the booming education consulting industry, not all “experts” are created equal. Some may work for schools, not students. Others may put your child’s admission—or even their visa—at risk by crossing ethical lines. So how do you spot a truly qualified consultant from those just selling results? Start with these 12 essential questions, recommended by the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the world’s leading authority on ethical and professional college advising.

12 Must-Ask Questions To Avoid The Wrong Consultant

Source: Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)

This content is adapted from official IECA resources. For the original version, visit: www.iecaonline.com

Before choosing someone to guide your child’s academic future, make sure you’re working with a truly qualified professional. These twelve questions—based on standards from the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)—can help you tell the difference between ethical, experienced consultants and those who may put your student at risk.

1. Do you guarantee admission to a school, one of my top choices, or a certain minimum dollar value in scholarships?
   • Do not trust any offer of guarantees. Ethical IECs, like members of IECA, never falsely promise admission or financial awards. They can, however, help identify colleges and schools that are a good match for the student’s unique profile and guide the student through the application process.
2. How do you keep up with new trends, academic changes, and evolving campus cultures? How often do you get out and visit college, school, and program campuses and meet with admissions representatives?
   • The only way to know about the best matches for you is to be out visiting schools regularly. IECA members, on average, have visited over 150 campuses each, and continue to visit an average of 25 campuses annually.
3. Do you attend professional conferences or training workshops on a regular basis to keep up with regional and national trends and changes in the law?
   • IECA members are expected to continue their professional development by attending conferences, visiting campuses, and participating in other educational programs.
4. Do you belong to any professional associations?
   • NACAC and IECA are the two associations for independent educational consultants with established and rigorous standards for membership.
5. Do you ever accept any form of compensation from a school, program, or company in exchange for placement or a referral?
   • They absolutely should not. IECA members do not accept any fees from colleges, schools, or programs.
6. Are all fees involved stated in writing, upfront, indicating exactly what services I will receive for those fees?
   • The independent educational consultant should make it clear from the outset what services will be provided and what the associated fees will be. Some IECs offer packages, while others have an hourly rate; some provide both options.
7. Will you complete the application for admission, rewrite my essays, or fill out the financial aid forms on my behalf?
   • The independent educational consultant should never offer to write the student’s college essays or other application materials or complete forms on their behalf. It is essential that the student drives the process and that all materials are the product of the student’s own, best work.
8. How long have you been in business as an independent educational consultant?
   • IECA Professional members have, at minimum, three years of admissions counseling experience. They are also required to have experience working with scores of students before we will consider their applications for membership.
9. What was your background prior to going into independent educational consulting? What was your training and education?
   • While they come from a variety of backgrounds, all IECA members are required to have a master’s degree in counseling or an appropriate field, or similar experience and training.
10. Will you use personal connections to get me in to one of my top choices?
    • The answer should be no. An IEC doesn’t get you admitted—they help you to demonstrate why you deserve to be admitted.
11. What specialized training do you have (learning differences/neurodiversity, gifted, athletics, arts, etc.)?
    • IECA member consultants specialize in different types of advising: college, K-12 day/boarding school, graduate school, and therapeutic. Some also have expertise in learning differences/neurodiversity and international education options. Those who specialize must demonstrate additional knowledge and credentials to earn the designation.
12. Do you adhere to the ethical guidelines for private counseling established by IECA?
    • IECA’s strict ethical guidelines, Principles of Good Practice, govern the actions of consultants in their relationships with students and families, schools and colleges, and with colleagues. These include a responsibility to understand each student’s special strengths, values, and needs, while striving to include all family members in the educational planning process. All IECA members pledge to abide by these Principles of Good Practice and are required to annually sign and follow the principles as part of their association membership in good standing.