Unlocking Success: 10 Tips for Optimizing Your Experience with an Independent Educational School Consultant
Top 10 Tips for Working with an Independent Educational School Consultant
Seasoned Expertise: Seek an Independent Educational Consultant (IECs) who possesses years of experience and has specialized training in the school admissions process and other aspects of the independent school world. What is the IEC’s experience with private schools, do they have an educational background or degree, or what training have they had to justify their IEC role? Heed caution for those who are “hanging a shingle” because they want to change careers and enjoy helping students.
Personalized attention: Ensure your IEC’s expertise is tailored to your student's unique needs, interests, and goals. For example, if your student has learning differences, what is the consultant’s experience that plays to their expertise in this area? There are many IEC’s with many specializations, so be wary of those who claim they “do it all” as you don’t want a jack of all trades and a master of none!
Access to resources: When considering hiring a school IEC, ask what resources they have access to in order to build and maintain their knowledge. For example, at Hall Educational we have developed and continue to maintain our own database that includes information on schools, our admission contacts, test prep information, professionals we refer clients to, and more! Working with a school consultant who works with data is important to help you and your student make informed decisions about their education journey.
Time-saving: An experienced IEC can help students and families save time by managing the private school search and application process, guiding them through each step, and ensuring that deadlines are met. How will your consultant help you save time? As we work with clients at Hall Educational we utilize various time-saving tools, such as an individualized admissions calendar. Having an admissions timeline and calendar allows for a thoughtful and stress-free approach. We like to refer to this as the ‘gift of time.’ And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want more time?
Reduced stress: The independent school application process can be overwhelming, but IECs can help alleviate stress by providing support and guidance throughout the process. What are the ways your educational consultant will help reduce an already stressful process? What are their approaches for simplifying things and taking away the overwhelm?
Objective advice: Ethical IECs provide objective advice, free from the influence of school administrators, financial kickbacks, or promises of admissions acceptances to help students make informed decisions about their education. Ensure you are working with an educational consultant who is a member of a reputable professional association, such as the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). Becoming a credentialed member requires adherence to a code of ethics and principles, designed to promote and maintain the highest standards of professional service and personal conduct for independent educational consultants. Learn more about what guides our strong ethical judgment in our work at Hall Educational Resources here (https://www.iecaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IECA-2022-Principles-of-Good-Practice-July-2022.pdf)
Maximizing opportunities: IECs can help students identify and apply to a wider range of independent schools, including those that may not be on their radar. Ask your educational consultant how frequently they tour school campuses and how many schools they visit each year. In order to help client families cast the net wider, it’s critical that your educational consultant is well traveled and personally visiting schools to see them in action! This is a hallmark difference between a well-informed, data oriented IEC and those who rely on internet research or word of mouth only.
Cost-effective: IECs can help families save money by providing advice on financial aid and scholarship opportunities at private schools, as well as helping to discern the best fit schools for your student. By exploring schools with a higher likelihood of fit and overall success for your student saves you in other currency as well: time, happiness, calm, social-emotional health, friendships and academic success. That is worth its weight in gold for many parents!
Improved outcomes: Students who work with an IEC are more likely to be admitted to their top-choice schools and find happiness and success in their new school placement. When considering an educational consultant, ask how they measure success in their work. What metrics do they utilize and what is their acceptance rate for their client placements? A thoughtful educational consultant will use evaluation processes as a means of judging the effectiveness of their work, through which they can develop and improve professionally and personally!
Long-term support: Seek out an IEC who can provide support beyond the independent school application process. A well intended and thoughtful educational consultant will become a trusted advisor to you and your family, serving as your thought partner as your student ages up. At Hall Educational we delight in staying in touch with our client families! We love nothing more than helping our former clients in their educational journey beyond an initial school placement.
Applying to private school involves a multitude of decisions. It’s when families choose to navigate this process alone that they are met with overwhelm. We hope you’ll consider the aforementioned tips to reduce the stress and unknown as you explore working with an independent educational school consultant. Together we can unlock the overwhelm that comes with finding your student a place where they can be their best selves both in and out of the classroom!