5 quotes you need to hear from the IECA Conference
Last week, I joined over 1,200 colleagues from across the country at the annual Independent Educational Consultant Association conference in Detroit. It was three days filled with professional development, networking and learning from other college advisors and college representatives. I returned home with pages of notes and some exciting ideas on how to ensure that I am serving my families and students in the most optimal way possible.
I was reviewing my notes on the plane ride home and wanted to pass along 5 quotes that left an impression on me:
“It’s not where you go, it’s how you go.” (Jeff Selingo, author Who Gets In and Why): Getting the most from your college experience takes effort to sign up, raise your hand, get involved and deepen relationships. Jeff shared research that debunked the myth that higher ranked schools lead to assured success. Success was more correlated to the student’s network and active engagement in opportunities around them, than the ranking of the school.
“AI knows everything about the internet, but nothing about you” (Peter Olrich, McMillian Education): Regardless of the industry, conversations about the impact of AI are rampant right now. In the admission process, there are signs that students are leveraging AI to sharpen their essays. While AI can be a helpful companion to your essay brainstorming process it is so important to remember that your college essays are the ONE chance to share your authentic self with the admission office. Strong caution on overleveraging AI to perfect your essays as you will risk removing your own voice and dehumanizing your application.
“Strong academics are necessary, but not sufficient.” (Aaron Zdawczyk, Northwestern University): Like it or not, this is the reality of selective college admissions. I have seen this directly when I was an Admission Officer for Emory University and over 80% of our applicants could “do the work”, but we were tasked with building a class with a fraction of those who were academically qualified. Reminders like this are so important to manage your expectations when you strive towards schools that admit < 30% of their applicants. Control your controllables, and accept the realities of the process.
“Acknowledge and ‘thank you’ are not the same as a commitment.” (Joe Slater, IEC - Athletic Specialist): For students looking to compete in collegiate athletics there are added pressures along the admission journey. It is easy to get swept up in the excitement of the attention from athletic directors and coaches. It is so important to ensure that you stay true to yourself, your goals and ambitions, and not feel over-pressured to commit before you are ready. This was a great reminder that you are valuable and you should remain in control of the final decision that is going to serve you the best for your future.
“Success doesn’t lead to happiness…it is the opposite!” (Amy Blankson, author The Future of Happiness): Amy lead an inspiring keynote about the JOY game. In our overscheduled, overconnected world we have lost sight of the importance of joy. What makes JOY so impactful is that we not only feel it, but we spread it. The college admission process is more than an acceptance letter in the spring. It is a chapter of your life to explore, self-reflect and ultimately celebrate what you have accomplished and who you have become.
Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2025. Juniors and sophomores, you are next! I am still accepting students in these grades to advise and coach throughout the college admission process. I work comprehensively to help students find their fit, build a balanced college list and then craft a authentic (and compelling) application. Reach out to me if you are interested in learning more about my approach.
