Our Policies

"These Principles are designed to promote and maintain the highest standards of professional service and personal conduct among all IECA members."

"Members shall not write application essays or any portion of an essay for students. Their role is to serve as advisors, to question, coach and encourage students to fully and honestly express the best that is within them."

"Members must avoid words or actions that might give the appearance of applying influence regarding admissions process, decisions or other interactions."

"Following a comprehensive code of ethics, IECA members are professionals who understand and adhere to high ethical standards in all their interactions with clients and institutions and are compensated by and work exclusively on behalf of their client families..."

"IECA was founded in 1976 as a non-profit, professional association of established independent educational consultants. As the nation’s respected voice of the profession, IECA sets the standards, leads the discussion, and serves as the public face of independent educational consulting to the media, colleges, and other professionals."

1. Do you guarantee admission to a school, one of my top choices, or a certain minimum dollar value in scholarships? (Do NOT trust any offer of guarantees.) ...

7. Will you complete the application for admission, re-write my essays, or fill out the financial aid forms on my behalf? (No, they should NOT; it is essential that the student be in charge of the process and all materials should be a product of the student’s own, best work.)

1. They promise to use their ‘pull’ or ‘connection’ to secure admission to a particular school or college...

5. They promise to “package” you as a way to secure admission. (You should strive to be admitted based on who you are; admission directors can see through a slick package.)

"January 4, 2023 - IECA responded to today’s sentencing of Rick Singer, mastermind of the “Operation Varsity Blues” college admissions scheme, which has included the conviction of more than 50 people."