Should You Hire Me?

MY Philosophy

I am focused on empowering students. Once they are in college, they need to get their work done, pay attention to deadlines, and advocate for their needs. This starts now. I advise and guide my students, but they have to put in the work.

If your family hires me, I will provide information on all aspects of the college list and application process. I use meetings, emails and webinars to get the information across. I provide timelines and guidelines on how to proceed.

I help students create accounts on various application and related platforms, I brainstorm ideas with them for their main essay, and provide feedback and proofreading on essays and applications.

I advise parents when they should step away. I understand first-hand what it is like to be a parent, having that fear that you haven’t ‘done enough’ to help your child. But helping doesn’t mean ‘doing for’ your child, especially the essays. In fact, I reserve the right to terminate our relationship—without refund—if parents or others are too involved in the essay process.

My work is not complete once applications are submitted, as I continue to provide information on evaluating college decisions as well as the adjustment to college.

What I don’t provide

If you’re looking for someone to do the work for the student, or sit beside them (even virtually) as they are filling out forms, I’m not your consultant.

If you can’t be bothered to read broadcast emails filled with information because it isn’t focused on your specific immediate needs, I’m not your consultant.

If you’re looking for someone to blindly agree with whatever the parents want, I’m not your consultant.

Other Consultants or advisors

If I’m not what you seek, please go to www.iecaonline.com to find a reputable consultant. I admire my colleagues and I often work collaboratively with them. We have different philosophies and prices. But choosing an IECA member means you are working with someone who follows a code of ethics and has sufficient experience and knowledge to benefit your family.

Don’t hire a current college student just because he/she got into a top school.

Don’t hire an essay “specialist” who advertises they’ll polish a student’s essay to ‘get them in’ to a dream school. It is factually incorrect (no essay is going to do that, and if it looks polished, the admissions office will know) and it is ethically wrong.