With today’s admission rates at an all-time low, tuition costs rising, and high school counselors overworked, many parents are turning to an independent educational consultant (IEC). In fact, a recent survey indicated that 26% of high-achieving seniors used an IEC to help apply to college (National Research Center for College and University Admissions).

 

Here’s why: Choosing a college is often the first major decision in a student’s life and the second largest financial investment (after a house). Finding the right college can enrich a student’s life and impact his or her future, but often students and parents have no idea where to even start looking and can be overwhelmed by the process. Choosing the wrong college can be costly in both time and money if the student needs to transfer.

 

With nearly 30% of students transferring from one college to another, it makes sense to invest in expert guidance to increase the likelihood of a student finding the best-fit college from the beginning. Busy parents and students do not have the time to read and research all of the college options - there are over 2,600 four-year colleges in the U.S. alone.

 

Working with an IEC reduces stress as parents and students have the peace of mind that they “won’t be missing something” in the application process. Students will also learn how to showcase their strengths to increase their chances of admission.

 

With tuition costs rising, an IEC can help with scholarships and knows which schools offer need and merit-based aid. An IEC keeps up with admission trends by attending conferences, visiting colleges, and networking with admissions officers.