Higher education consultants can work with families and students to navigate the admissions process and increase their chances of getting into competitive schools. They can also work with universities to improve aspects such as admissions and program offerings to attract more students and faculty. This career requires experience and a self-created path, with some holding a master’s degree in education or other fields.
A higher education consultant can refer to two different professions. The first is an individual who works with teenagers and their families as they apply to colleges and universities; this individual will help with the admissions process and offer advice on applying to colleges, preparing for interviews, and being as competitive as possible, increasing the likelihood that the student will be accepted to the university. The second type of higher education consultant works directly with colleges and universities, trying to reform certain aspects of the university, such as the admissions process or even the type of programs offered, to make them more desirable for students and faculty.
The first type of higher education consultant is more common and is usually hired by families who want their children to get into extremely competitive schools, such as Ivy League schools. This consultant will work with the family and student throughout the admissions process, first strategizing which schools to apply as first choices and support schools, and then assisting with the application process. This individual will be able to offer specific advice on what the school is looking for, as well as what types of extracurricular activities, grades, or SAT scores are required to be accepted to the school.
In addition, the higher education consultant can also work with students in preparation for the interview process. It is important that anyone wanting to work in this career enjoys working with people and has experience interacting with different colleges and universities, and is familiar with the application and interview process. There is no specific training available for this career, although some hold a master’s or higher in education or other fields such as financial planning. It is usually a self-created career that can be very lucrative for people who are good at it. Other positions include college planning consultant or educational planners, among others.
The second type of higher education consultant usually works as part of an educational consulting firm. This is a much more time-consuming process, but it is designed to make the university itself more competitive among other educational institutions. This is because these universities tend to attract more students and better quality faculty. The university typically hires a consulting firm to address specific areas of concern, such as application, admission, or graduation fees; higher education consultants will research and analyze the university and offer suggestions for areas of improvement and methods of implementing change.
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