FAQ
WHY HIRE AN INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT? HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM MY HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
Students should always begin with the counseling resources available at their high schools. If additional support and guidance is needed, an experienced IEC, who works closely with each student at every step throughout the college search and selection process, can supplement their counselor’s efforts and help to maximize their college admissions success. In choosing a consultant, please select one wisely, to ensure that you are working with an ethical, informed and properly credentialed advisor.
I hold students accountable and take the parent out of that situation where they don’t have to nag their student – part of the reason why I wanted to pursue this. Parents can focus on the big picture (what they talked about with me) instead of arguing about the process.
These services are a supplement, and not a replacement, for the important role played by the student’s high school counselor.
WHY WORK WITH KRISTIN?
I take time to get to know each student individually - their dreams, passions, and goals. My objective is to help students grow and mature as they learn to take responsibility for and become involved in this important transition in their lives. With my guidance and background in project management, students improve their time management skills as they balance priorities such as schoolwork, activities, and college applications. I help them learn how to break down the application process into manageable steps, while maintaining their motivation.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO START WORKING WITH EASTSIDE COLLEGE COUNSELING?
Each student is unique, therefore the timeline will vary based upon the individual student's needs, academic record and college goals. I will create a program tailored to those needs and provide as much guidance as your student wants, taking into consideration their personality, college goals and your budget requirements. During our initial complimentary consultation, we will review your student's background, long-term goals, and discuss customized plan to achieve those goals.
DO YOU HELP STUDENTS WITH THEIR ESSAYS?
This is one of the most complex aspects of the application and I help students understand and navigate their way through it. We spend time brainstorming topics that will highlight a student’s best attributes and guide them through the editing, evaluation, and polishing stages. I do not write essays for students.
DO YOU VISIT COLLEGES?
I have visited over 90 college campuses across the country and continue to visit 10-15 more each year.
DO STUDENTS WHO WORK WITH YOU GET INTO THEIR FIRST CHOICE SCHOOL?
When I meet students and families, we work together to create a balanced list of Reach, Target, and Likely colleges based on the student’s credentials. I help students and parents understand what a student’s chances are at the colleges that interest them, and what they can do to enhance their chances of admission. Deciding which colleges are at the top of a student’s list, and what their realistic chances are at these schools, is a process that evolves over time.