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Frequently Asked Questions
As an Independent Educational Consultant, I’m passionate about supporting your child throughout their college admissions journey. No matter where they are in the process of applying to schools, I’m able to help them navigate their possibilities and help them find the right fit for their unique educational needs and interests.
Depending on what grade your child is in and how much support they’re interested in, I offer a variety of packages to cater to their needs. Whether I work with your child for a couple of years or a couple of months, I’m committed to helping them find a school where they can thrive. To help you and your child learn more about what an IEC does and the benefits of partnering with an IEC, I’ve answered some of the most common questions I receive below. If you still have questions after reading this FAQ, please reach out to me and I would be happy to speak with you!
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How do you differ from a high school counselor?School counselors play an important role, and I always encourage students to connect with theirs. That said, many are stretched incredibly thin—balancing academic advising, personal support, and college planning for hundreds of students. (The national average caseload is 424 students per counselor.) As an Independent Educational Consultant, I offer something different: dedicated, personalized support tailored to your family’s needs. I meet with students in the evenings or on weekends—times that actually work for busy families—and I intentionally limit the number of students I work with to ensure your child receives the time, attention, and expert guidance they deserve. This means every meeting is thoughtful, focused, and aligned with your child’s goals and timeline.
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Do you guarantee admission to colleges or universities?No, and no ethical consultant should. As a member of HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association) and IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), I follow strict professional guidelines that prohibit guaranteeing admission to any college or university. I also do not accept incentives or compensation from any institution for student referrals. My role is purely advisory—focused on helping your student present their strongest, most authentic application and make informed, confident decisions throughout the process.
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When is the best time to start working with you?The ideal time to begin is the start of junior year. This gives us plenty of space to move through the college process thoughtfully and without added pressure. It also allows me to truly get to know your student—who they are, what matters to them—before we build a college list or dive into applications. That said, I do offer flexibility. If space allows, I occasionally work with seniors on essays in the fall. And for families who prefer to start earlier, I welcome students into the comprehensive package as early as the second semester of sophomore year. The earlier we begin, the more intentional and less rushed the journey can be.
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How often do you meet with students?It really depends on each student’s needs and goals. For students in my comprehensive package, we typically meet every 2–4 weeks during junior year to build momentum at a manageable pace. Once summer hits and we move into application season, meetings usually shift to weekly so we can stay on top of deadlines and complete everything with confidence. Most comprehensive students spend 30+ hours with me—but I don’t cap hours. Your student gets the time and support they need. For students in smaller packages or working hourly, sessions are more flexible and self-scheduled. Some students prefer to meet several times in one week to move quickly, while others like to space things out. We’ll set a rhythm that works for your family’s schedule and your student’s workflow.
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What are your hours?Since students are in class during the day, I offer flexible scheduling—including evenings and weekends, especially during the busy fall application season. My goal is to make this process as smooth and accessible as possible for your family. All of my clients receive access to my Calendly link, so you can easily find and book times that work best for your student’s schedule. Outside of scheduled meetings, I’m also available for questions via email and aim to respond within 24–48 hours during the workweek. During peak season, I prioritize time-sensitive matters and always keep families informed on turnaround times.
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Do you have any contractors or additional essay editors?No. All of my students work directly with me—start to finish. That personal connection is one of the most valuable parts of the process. By working closely with your student over time, I’m able to offer guidance that feels authentic to who they are, especially when it comes time to write their essays. That said, I stay connected to a trusted network of colleagues through professional organizations like HECA, IECA, and the College Consultants of Colorado. These relationships help me stay sharp, informed, and collaborative—but your student’s work and experience always stay one-on-one with me.
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Do you provide SAT/ACT tutoring?No, but I have a great list of referrals I'm happy to share if you’re interested.
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How does your pricing work?I believe in transparency, so all current pricing is clearly listed on my Services page. For comprehensive packages, I offer payment plans to make the investment more manageable. Hourly clients are billed monthly based on time used. Smaller packages are priced according to the time of year—rates increase as we move deeper into application season and availability becomes more limited. However, once a family signs a contract, their rate is locked in, regardless of when services are used.
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Where are you located?While I live in Colorado Springs, CO, I conduct all of my college consulting services virtually through Zoom. This allows me to have clients from all over the country. In fact, I've worked with students from over 100 high schools (and 4 colleges) in 15 states, plus Washington, DC.
Schedule A Consultation With Grand Fit Educational Consulting
The best part about what I do is being an additional support system for students as they go through one of the most important and overwhelming times of their lives. Throughout our entire journey together, I get to help them realize their educational passions, discover their college must-haves, and learn about new scholarship opportunities. Being able to have a little part in your child’s college journey is an honor that I don’t take lightly. If you’d like to learn more about how I can help you and your child navigate these important times, please schedule a FREE consultation with me! I look forward to speaking with you and discussing your child’s future.
