IECs Selected For The CA Beta-Test Team

Dear Colleagues,

As many of you know, IECA has suggested to Common Application for several years that they make use of independent educational consultants in the early stages of each year's release. While past leadership at CA has rebuffed these efforts, I am pleased to share with you a significant change.

The Common Application involves about 20 college advisors in the beta-testing phase. That is, 20 counselors get to use the CA prior to its launch to advise on questions and concerns, offer suggestions, and hopefully locate any glitches prior to the nationwide launch. I am pleased to report that this year, for the first time, a third of those selected for the beta-test team are independent educational consultants, joining school-based and community-based counselors.

All of those independent educational consultants selected to participate are IECA members, giving us an important opportunity. Their work began last week.

This decision came after many months of behind the scenes conversations between Marilyn Emerson (then IECA President) and me with leadership of the CA, including Scott Anderson, Senior Policy Director. As Scott said to me, this decision symbolizes the turning of a page, demonstrating the Common Application's new commitment to outreach and inclusion with our professional community. While only a handful of IECs and counselors will be part of this advanced review group, I believe you will see a greater openness and responsiveness from Common Application's leadership to IECA members throughout the application season.

We are also pleased that Scott will lead a breakout session at our next conference in Orlando, Florida.

Finally, beginning next month, the CommonApp will bring onto staff a new Director of Outreach. The person assuming this position has worked extensively with IECA members during past work at Guilford, Bucknell & Muhlenberg. IECA will continue to have a liaison with the CommonApp and they do welcome suggestions submitted directly from you through the 'Ask a Question' tab at recsupport.commonapp.org.

Thanks to Marilyn, our liaison of the past several years Bari Norman, and all others who helped bring about this exciting change. I look forward to providing everyone with additional information and in working with Common Application to ensure we serve children cooperatively in the coming years.

Mark

IECA is the professional organization for independent educational consultants working in private practice. IECA has helped its members serve families in educational decisions that include colleges, local day and boarding schools; schools or programs for students with learning or therapeutic needs; international placements, summer opportunities, and graduate and professional schools.