Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Independent Educational Consultant?

An educational consultant is an expert in the field of college admission and its process. Applying to college is more competitive than ever and with all the changes to the admission process, as a parent, it is challenging to stay on top of the latest information. The role of the educational consultant is to:

• Support the student with a sense of assurance that while the admissions process feels daunting, there is an expert to guide you each step of the way.
• Provide an objectivity to the process without being bias.
• Customize a plan of action for the student.
• Refine the student’s potential college list.
• Offer clarity and attention to the student’s application(s).
• Establish important timelines.
• Review college essays.

Ultimately, the educational consultant strives to reduce the stress and build confidence in the student’s potential during the college admission process.

What sets educational consultants at College Consulting Experts apart from other educational businesses?

While many other educational businesses boasts they have the knowledge and expertise, few are truly knowledgeable in the field. Our educational consulting team is comprised of experts in the educational field because they were first teachers or admissions officers. We believe the mark of an expert begins from having tangible experience with high school level students and/or institutional experience that provides unique insight to the college application process. Ms. Wong and Ms. Taylor present with a combined unique expertise in these areas.

Ms. Taylor offers a unique perspective with over ten years of admissions experience within collegiate institutions including Stanford University and Santa Clara University. She holds a BS from University of California Davis and MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Her senior leadership in higher education combined with her prior corporate experiences enhance her work with high school students throughout the application process.

Ms. Wong is among the few in her field that comes with a teaching background. Having taught for almost a decade at Mission San Jose High in Fremont, CA, a school that is competitive and highly prestigious, she has experienced first hand the student pressures of college expectations. From her teaching background, which stems from her prestigious background in Educational studies from the University of California Irvine and University of California Berkeley among other colleges, Ms. Wong is always advocating for the student.

The College Consulting Experts team sets itself apart from other businesses because in combination, they represent an unmatched expertise in the field.

Why hire an educational consultant when my high school student has a counselor at school?

School based counselors have hundreds of students in their caseload. While counselors have an incredible sense of work ethnic to serve their students, the truth is that there is just not enough time to meet all the specific demands of student needs, especially during college application time. Counselors are inundated with too many responsibilities that their committed time in helping a student evaluate the right college fit is an unlikely expectation. We stand behind our counselors for their tireless efforts, but that is when students and their families need to hire an educational consultant who can assist the student by giving them undivided attention.

What are some of the biggest myths about the college admissions process?

The Huffington Post published an article about the Top 10 Myths and Facts About College Admissions. While the article was written a few years back, their myths and truths still remain a constant misconception among college bound students.

What is the college admissions consulting process like at College Consulting Experts?

Finding an educational consultant is like finding the perfect pair of shoes! It is important that the student and consultant have an established rapport that bodes commitment to the college process as well as respect for the knowledge and consultant’s expertise. Prior to commitment to one of the consulting packages, a 20 minute complimentary meeting will be offered as an opportunity for the consultant to meet and greet with the student and family. After the initial complimentary meeting, the student and consultant will have an opportunity to decide if working together will be beneficial for the student.

A signed service agreement and paid tuition is due within 48 hours from the time of the initial meeting.

After that point, the commitment is established and the pair is ready to work hard in showcasing the student’s very best profile.

How involved are the parents during the college admissions consulting process?

We value the opinion and insight of the parent; however, the college admissions process is about the student. Therefore, with the guidance of the consultant, our hope is that the process will be student centered. The parent is always welcome to check in on the process and ask questions, but the majority of the meetings will be between the student and consultant.

Are you only focused on helping students who are applying to Tier 1 colleges?

Absolutely not. We believe every student has the opportunity to pursue higher education. In fact, we encourage all students to attend college because the added knowledge will only be an added value to their future careers. Our goal is to help the student identify the right college fit.

Can our educational consultants guarantee admissions to a specific college?

Absolutely not. There is no guarantee in the admissions process because acceptances are unpredictable. However, we are confident that our expertise will showcase the student’s best profile and thus, optimizing their chances in getting accepted to colleges that are a realistic match to their profile.

Any consultant who promises an admission to a specific college should not be trusted.   Our consultants strictly adhere to the principles set forth in the Principles of Good Practice as determined by the IECA.

Download a copy of ethical practices.

Can College Consulting Experts still help my high school student even if I do not live in the local area?

Yes, we work with students all over the world and would love to offer our assistance. We hold our meetings by phone and via Skype.

How do I get started with College Consulting Experts’s College Admissions Consulting?

Contact our office via email at directors@collegeconsultingexperts.com or by call 650-727-4348 to set up a 20-minute complimentary meeting, which will take place either in person, by phone, or by Skype. The purpose of the meeting is an initial meet and greet with an opportunity for both the family and consultant to get to know each other. A mutual agreement needs to be established in order for College Consulting Experts to formally agree to work with the student.

The comprehensive service packages and tuition details will be discussed during our initial complimentary meeting.