character and values (No. 12). Colleges increasingly a high school curriculum as they could. contemplate what campus life will be like and how a “Colleges want to see that students have particular applicant will add—or detract—from the challenged themselves academically, by taking campus. Colleges want to see leaders, students with honors, AP or IB classes,” said independent college special skills or talents, and those who have been counselor Kiersten Murphy of Murphy College active in campus activities, as well as those whose Consultants in Issaquah, who has been in the profession for 21 years. “Grades and scores do play a values fit a college’s view of itself. Colleges also seek diversity, striving for a campus made up of those significant role, but they are not the only qualifying from varied cultural, social, economic, geographic, criteria for admission. It is far more impressive to religious, and occupational backgrounds (No. 9). take on the challenge of a rigorous course load, Much has been written in recent years about two which means, among other things, sticking with a areas: demonstrated interest (how an applicant foreign language through senior year.” demonstrates a genuine desire to attend) and Item No. 4 in the ranking—the essay—is also social media (what a student’s online life reveals). the most misunderstood, according to IECA. The The IECA rankings showed these areas to be of less essay tends to be more important at smaller and importance than other items. independent colleges, however, according to Sklarow cautioned that “Every college is unique, Murphy, “University of Washington does use the so each emphasizes something different in its essay to evaluate students holistically.” process of reviewing applications. One of the great But too many students think the essay is about benefits of hiring an IECA independent educational construction, grammar and format. The association consultant is their knowledge of such differences, warns that while these matter (typos and bad The Independent Educational Consultants and ability on to share this information with of grammar should never happen), the essay must This ranked list their is based a nationwide survey Association (IECA) recently released its ranking of students as they guide them through the show insight into a student’s unique personality or What Colleges Look for in High School Students, IECA memberapplication independent consultants process.educational ” life-shaping experiences. based on an annual survey of nearly 2,000 This ranked list is based on a nationwide survey of Murphy says, “An essay that was completed for independent educational consultants. While This ranked list is based on a nationwide survey of an English class assignment is typically not the one IECA member independent educational consultants grades and standardized test scores are near About IECA that you to college use for your college application, IECA member educational the top of these annual rankings, a number of Just as want every is different, so tooindependent are the criteria and in priorities in eacht, IECA was founded 1976 asconsultants a nonprofi no matter the grade that you earned. It often doeslist is based on a nationwide survey of significant changes and surprises are challenging This ranked professional association of established independent admission process. In fact, one of the great advantages of working with not have the right voice to help college admission the assumptions about college admissions. Number college’s educational consultants. IECA member independent IECA member independent educational consultants Just as every college is different, so too are the criteria and priorities in each offi cers understand your character or how you will 1 on the list: A challenging curriculum. New to the educational consultants are professionals an independent educational their personal knowledge of thesewho assist This ranked based on a nationwide survey”so of consultant Just list as is every is different, too are theiscriteria and priorities in each add tocollege their campus community. students and families with educational list: The family’s ability to pay tuition. The muchcollege’s admission process. In fact, one of the great advantages of working withdecisiondifferences, helping students to navigate the process. to of www.IECAonline.com IECA’s CEO, Mark Sklarow “This essay member independent educational consultants making. Their Go educational backgrounds, specialized college’s admission process. Inadds fact, one ofshould the great advantages working with discussed social media presence ofIECA students? Not so an independent educational consultant is their personal knowledge of these help the reader—that all-important admission training, campus visitations, and professional to find an IECA member. much. Just as every collegeon isadifferent, soare, too are the criteria and priorities inthese each an independent consultant is their knowledge of This ranked list iseducational based nationwide survey of personal experience them to help students choose counselor—better appreciate who you what Students applying to college in the coming differences, helping students to navigate the process. Gocolleges, toequip www.IECAonline.com schools, or programs that shaped you,priorities andstudents what makes you tick. That college’s admission process. Innavigate fact, onedoesn’t of the great advantages of workingmeet withtheir differences, helping to the process. Go to www.IECAonline.com Justoften as every college is detail different, too are member the criteria and in each year fret over every of theso application. IECA independent educational consultants individual needs and goals. Membership in the to find an IECA member. mean a student needs some life altering trip; However, new rankings fromInIECA should be college’sthe admission process. fact, one the advantages of working with angreat independent educational consultant is their personal knowledge of thesemaster’s toof find an IECA association requires an appropriate rather a member. simple ongoing volunteer commitment or a reminder to students that not all aspects of the degree or comparable training and a minimum an independent This educational consultant is their personal knowledge of these helping to sharing. navigate the process. Go to www.IECAonline.com personal interaction may be worth ” rankedThe listassociation is based ondifferences, a nationwide survey ofstudents application are treated equally. of three years of experience in the profession, A rigorous high school differences, helping students to navigate the process. Go to www.IECAonline.com Juststudents as every college isabout different, so too areTwo the criteria and priorities in each items ranked on the 2018–19 list from advises not to worry things that as well as meeting IECA’s professional standards to find an new IECA member. IECA member independent educational consultants IECA. Debuting at No. 7 isthe the family’s ability to tocollege’s find an IECA member. curriculum that challenges don’t matter all that much in the colleges’ decisionand subscribing to its Principles of Good Practice. admission process. In fact, one of the great advantages of working with pay. While some schools are “need blind” in their Members continually update their knowledge and making. A rigorous high school student and may include an independent educational consultant isadmissions their personal these decisions,knowledge most are not. of Increasingly, maintain skills through IECA-sponsored meetings, Many students and parents are surprised to hear A rigorous high school ust as every college is different, so too are the criteriacurriculum and priorities in each that challenges thecolleges take into consideration APaccording or IB classes. to IECA, workshops, training programs, webinars, and that the leading criteria universities wantcurriculum to see isn’t that differences, helping students to navigate the process. Go to www.IECAonline.com challenges the to the school’s bottom line. ollege’s admission fact, one oftest thescores great(No. advantages ofmay working with information exchanges with colleges, schools, who can contribute student and include A well-written gradesprocess. (No. 2) orIn standardized 3), to find an IECA member. programs, and other IECs. student and may include The other new criteria this year was a student’s A rigorous high school A rigorous high school n independent educational consultant is their personal knowledge of these but rather evidence that a student took as rigorous A rigorous high school AP or IB classes. essay that emphasizes insight into AP or IB classes. curriculumstudents that challenges the fferences, helping to navigate the process. Gocurriculum to www.IECAonline.com that curriculum that challenges challenges the the A well-written the student’s unique personality. student and may include A well-written o find an IECA member. student include student and and may may include High grade essay that emphasizes insight into
What Colleges Are Really Looking for from Eastside Applicants
What What What in High School Students What AD M in High High School Students in School Students I S WhatAAD S I M D What I M I SS SForONinSHigh School Students Colleges Look A s s o c i a t i o n C o n s u l t a n t s
I n d e p e n d e n t E d u c a t i o n a l C o n s u l t a n t s A s s o c i a t i o n C oo nn ss uu ll tt aa nn tt ss A A ss ss oo cc ii aa tt ii oo nn II nn dd ee pp ee nn dd ee nn tt EE dd uu cc aa tt ii oo nn aa ll C
A s s o c i a t i o n
p e n d I en nd et p Ee nd du ec nat t Ei od nu ca al t iCo on an l s uC lo tn as nu tl ts a nAt ss s Ao scs ioac ti ia ot ino n
Colleges Look For Colleges Look Look For Colleges For Colleges Look For S I ONN SFor S ADSchool I O Colleges Look in High Students M I SS S AD NS
S
■1
■ 1■1 4 ■ ■1 say■ 4 4 s e ■ ■ 2 4 ■ 4 ■ ■ 2 5■ ■ 2 y a 5 s ■ 2 7 5 s ■ e 4 ■ ■ 5■ ■ 5■ 3 6 ■ ■ 7 7 ■ 5 ■ 3 6 ■ 3■ 6 ■■ ■ ■ 3 6 ■ ■
y + a B s s e + B + B + B + + B B
■1 ■ 2
AP or IB classes.
E d u c a t i o n a l
■1
■1
SSHigh in I O School Students E d u c a t i o n a l
DMIS S I ON
C o n s u l t a n t s
DM IWhat I ONStudents in High School S S AD M S IONLook Colleges For IS S
AP IB AP or or point IB classes. classes. average in
A well-written
y a s s e y a y s a s s ees say es 7 ■ 7■7 ■ 7 ■
essay that emphasizes insight into the student’s unique personality. the student’s unique personality. A A well-written well-written essay insight into essay that that emphasizes emphasizes insight into Passionate involvement
3 ■
■ 2 3 5■ ■
6 ■ 3 ■
I n d e p e n d e n t
■ 2
4 ■
I n d e p e n d e n t
High grade A rigorous high schoolessay that emphasizes insight Ability to pay. As state majorinto subjects. High grade pointpersonality. average in slightly curriculum that challenges thethe student’s unique budgets tighten and the costs at However, A rigorous high school point average in High grade the student’s unique personality. the student’s unique personality. Ability to rise, pay. some As state major subjects. student and may include colleges admission in a few activities that are lower grades in a rigorous iculum that challenges the in Ability to pay. As state major subjects. point average High grade High grade budgets tighten and the costs atfavoring Passionate involvement However, slightly AP or IB classes. offices are increasingly meaningful, inside or outside program are preferred to all A’s dent and may include Ability to pay. As statePassionate involvement major subjects. budgets tighten and the costs at However, slightly point average in point average in colleges those rise, some admission in a few of activities lower grades in challenging a rigorous coursework. A well-written students who can school.that are in less or IB classes. However, slightly budgets tighten and in theacosts Passionate involvement colleges Ability rise, some admission few at activities that are lower grades in a rigorous to pay. As state major subjects. Ability to pay. As state major subjects. offices are increasingly favoring meaningful, inside or outside program are preferred to all A’s essay that emphasizes insight into A well-written contribute to the school’s colleges rise, some admission in a few activities that are lower grades in a rigorous offices are increasingly favoring meaningful, inside or outside program are preferred to all A’s budgets tighten and the costs at Passionate involvement However, slightly essay that emphasizes insight into budgets tighten and the costs at Passionate involvement However, slightly those students offavoring school. in less challenging coursework. the inside student’s unique personality. bottomwho line. can offices are increasingly meaningful, or outside program are preferred to all A’s those students who can of school. in less challenging coursework. the student’s unique personality. colleges admission lower aa rigorous collegestorise, rise, some admission in aa few few activities activities that that are are lower grades grades in in those rigorous students who can in of school. in less challenging coursework. High grade contribute thesome school’s High grade contribute to the school’s offices are increasingly meaningful, inside or outside program are preferred to all A’s contribute to the school’s offices are increasingly favoring favoring meaningful, inside or counselor/ outside program are preferred to allonA’s point average in Strong High scores bottom line. t average in bottom line. bottom line. those of in challenging those students students who who can can of school. school. in less lessstandardized challenging coursework. coursework. Ability to pay. As state major subjects. teacher recommendations tests (ACT, SAT). Ability to pay. As state or subjects. contribute contribute to to the the school’s school’s Strong counselor/ High scores onbecosts andprovide the costs at Passionate involvement However, slightly that personalized These should consistent budgets tighten and the atbudgets tighten Passionate involvement wever, slightly Strong counselor/ High scores on Strong counselor/ High scores on bottom line. bottom line. teacher recommendations standardized tests (ACT, SAT). colleges rise, some admission in a few activities that are lower grades in a rigorous references. with school performance. colleges rise,high some admission a few activities that are recommendations er grades in a rigorous teacher standardized tests in (ACT, SAT). teacher recommendations standardized tests (ACT, SAT). offices are increasingly favoring officesthat meaningful, or outside gram are preferred to should all A’sare personalized These should consistent are provide increasingly favoring meaningful, inside orbe outside program to inside all A’sthat provide personalized These be preferred consistent that provideStrong personalized These those should be consistent students who can of school. ss challenging with coursework. High scores on Strong counselor/ High scores on references. high school performance. references. with high school performance. those students who can counselor/ of school. in less challenging coursework. references. with high school contribute to performance. the school’s (continued teacher recommendations standardized tests (ACT, SAT). recommendations on reverse) standardized tests (ACT, SAT). contributeteacher to the school’s
6 ■
bottom line.
that These that provide provide personalized personalized These should should be be consistent consistentbottom line. (continued on reverse) (continued on reverse) references. with references. with high high school school performance. performance. Strong counselor/ High scores on (continued on reverse) Strong counselor/ teacheron recommendations dardized tests (ACT, SAT).High scores -that STATE OF THE UNION 2018 8 be EDUCATION provide personalized teacher recommendations se should consistent standardized tests (ACT, SAT).
references. h high school performance. These should be consistent
that provide personalized
(continued on reverse)