Frequently Asked Questions

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What does an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) do?
An IEC provides personalized guidance to students and families as they navigate the college admissions process. They offer support on everything from building strong applications to selecting best-fit schools, providing expert advice based on years of experience and up-to-date knowledge of the admissions landscape.

How do you differ from a School Counselor?
As an Independent Educational Consultant who is also a School Counselor, I offer highly personalized, one-on-one guidance tailored to each student’s specific needs. While School Counselors provide valuable support, as an IEC, I can limit the number of students I work with in order to provide more time and individual attention throughout the entire college readiness and admissions process.

Are all your services offered virtually?
Yes, all of my services are delivered virtually through secure video meetings. This allows me to work with students no matter where they are located, whether in the U.S. or internationally.

What are your Premium Individual Services?
Our Premium Individual Services are academic-year packages that offer comprehensive one-on-one guidance for high school students from grades 9 through 12. We work closely with each student to provide strategic support, including college list creation, application assistance, essay guidance, and interview prep. Senior students receive additional focus on navigating the application season.

How many college applications are included in the Senior Year package?
The Senior Year package includes support for up to 10 college applications. Additional applications can be supported for an extra fee.

Do you offer hourly services?
Yes, I offer hourly services for transfer students and graduate school applicants. These services focus on tailored support for specific needs, such as application review, essay feedback, or preparing for interviews.  Hourly services are also available for high school students upon request. 

What are cohort services, and how do they work?
Cohort services are small group programs where students work through the college admissions process together, led by an experienced IEC. The cohort model allows for collaboration and peer support, while still providing expert guidance. Cohorts are organized by academic year, including Junior and Senior cohorts, and typically meet once a week for six weeks.  

Are cohort services less personalized than individual services?
While cohort services involve a group setting, each student receives personalized feedback and guidance. The group sessions focus on shared topics like college research, essay writing, and deadlines, while allowing time for individual questions and insights.  Cohort students also have access to CounselMore, where they will complete assignments that will receive individual review and feedback.  

How are services delivered?
All services are offered virtually via video calls, making them accessible to students regardless of their location. This flexibility ensures that each student can receive consistent support no matter their schedule or time zone.

How do I schedule meetings?
Once enrolled, students can schedule meetings through their CounselMore account or through my Calendly link.  And when in doubt, just send me an email!  

Can I start services mid-year?
Yes! The packages and cohort services are designed to accommodate students at different points in the academic year. If you're starting mid-year, we can tailor the services to your current needs.

What payment methods do you accept?
We accept card payments and Zelle.  Payment plans are available for select services to make it easier for families to budget over time.

Do you offer refunds if a student no longer needs services?
Refunds are typically not available once services have begun. However, under certain circumstances, we can review any unused portion of the package and adjust accordingly. This will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Do you offer scholarships or sliding scale options?
At this time, we do not offer scholarships or sliding scale pricing. We believe in the value of our services and have structured pricing to reflect the personalized, high-quality guidance that each student receives.

Do you guarantee admission to any colleges?
No, we do not guarantee admissions to any college or university. The admissions process is complex and can be highly competitive, and no one can guarantee specific outcomes. We guide students to present their strongest applications, but ultimately admissions decisions rest with the institutions.

How do you adhere to ethical standards in educational consulting?
As a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), I follow a strict code of ethics, ensuring transparency, fairness, and professionalism in my services. I work in the best interest of each student and family, providing honest advice and never engaging in unethical practices like guaranteeing admission.

If you have any other questions that aren’t covered here, feel free to reach out to lizette@empoweredaccess.com.! I’m always happy to provide more information and help you get started on your college admissions journey.