Why Hire an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC)?
As college admissions grows ever more complex and the cost of higher education continues to soar, the importance of sound guidance in the college search process cannot be overstated. The fact is, the majority of high school counseling offices are under-staffed and over-worked, often waiting until the end of junior year in high school to begin working with students. An Independent Educational Consultant offers one-on-one individualized guidance to your student beginning at whatever phase of the process you choose to begin–often at the very beginning of high school.
As a member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) and HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association), Julie adheres to professional ethics guidelines, travels regularly to colleges and universities to maintain current knowledge, and conducts research and interviews to identify the latest trends and sort out the news from the noise.
Which colleges have the best and newest programs in areas that interest you? Where are the best scholarship opportunities? What about the hidden gems that might end up being the perfect fit?
Julie’s number one priority is getting to know each individual student and fitting their interests, talents, strengths, hopes and dreams into the puzzle of college choices and the ever-tricky game of college admissions. By formulating a detailed, customized four-year plan for each student, prioritizing needs, and managing expectations, Julie helps turn the college search into a more joyful, less stressful journey.
Higher education is just too great an investment in the future to leave to chance. Hiring an IEC is an investment worth making.
What is College Counseling
Refine coursework plans, testing schedules and extra curricular activities
Facilitate or improve teacher relationships, and ultimately select teachers for letters of recommendation.
Identify and recommend extracurricular and summer activities, as well as internship opportunities.
Plan for and prioritize college visits, including preparing for college interviews.
Keep your student on task to complete all components of the college application.
Brainstorm and provide feedback on personal statements and essays.
Evaluate offers of admission as well as develop a strategy for waitlist and deferral decisions.When Do We Start?
Right away! Ninth grade is not too early–or even mid-eighth grade. Why? We make sure eighth-graders choose the right classes to set him/her on the path to the best four-year course of studies. It can also be important to hone in on areas where the student excels outside the classroom in order to shape a consistent extracurricular profile.
What Does it Cost?
Lakeside charges a flat fee, payable once a year, that does not change whether you begin freshman year or senior year. Hourly consultation fee rates may be available, depending on availability. Please contact me to set up an initial consultation–for which there is no charge.
What about tutoring for ACTs, SATs?
We know excellent people–and will work with you to find the right service or private tutor for your needs and specific learning style.
So How Much Work Do You Do Actually?
Glad you asked. The answer: A lot–and you’ve read about most of it elsewhere on our site. But there’s one thing we don’t do: Write your application essays. We interview, we brainstorm, we dig, we cajole, and we bring in the heavy artillery if necessary, but your student will do the work. Finding the college match is a process of discovery for the student–including his/her own essay(s). We expect the student to do a few other things for us as well: Participate in assigned questionnaires/evaluations, follow up after college visits; and attend all scheduled appointments.