Tag Archives: Educational consultant

What is an Independent Educational Consultant?

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It is now the month of March and those of you who have gone through the college application process are now patiently (or impatiently) waiting for acceptances and dreading those “other” letters. We are keeping our fingers crossed for each and every one of you. With that said…

We wanted to spend a little time here to re-familiarize you with who and what an independent educational consultant (IEC) is and does. An IEC is a professional individual who is contracted by a student and their family to advise in the area of college planning and/or college counseling to find the right fit for the student. In other words, IECs provide individualized services to aid the family in educational planning. Whether it be looking for a vocational/tech school, a community college, or a four-year university, IECs are there to listen to the family and their desires for “what’s next” after high school. They provide extensive experience and thorough knowledge of the schools and colleges. This relationship can provide assistance in deciding factors such as cost, location, social life, and most importantly–curriculum.  In addition, IECs supply an objectivity to help families understand all of their options when making a decision during a time that is extremely confusing and stressful. The IECs’ main purpose in working with students is to make sure that the decision the student and family makes is one that will nurture and foster the student’s academic AND social growth; there needs to be a balance. IECs are well aware of the important criteria within the application process and common mistakes to avoid when making recommendations for placement. IECs follow the “Principles of Good Practice” of the IECA, and there is a rule of thumb that families must understand–it is that “IECs [members] neither guarantee placement nor outcomes.” IECs are not affiliated nor work under contract with a given institution, providing complete objectivity when searching for a program/school. With an IEC, the student and family have the opportunity to explore a wider variety of options and discuss possibilities with a knowledgeable professional who can provide insight to help ensure that the best decision is made. In the end, IECs work for the student and family to make sure that the process is seamless and that the right FIT occurs.

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Introducing….

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On our most recent college trip, visiting beautiful Pepperdine University!

On a college trip in 2013, visiting beautiful Pepperdine University!

Hello Everyone!

We would like to re-introduce ourselves and our business to you. It has been about a few years since we’ve done this and there has been plenty of changes.

We are now known as KaMi College Consulting, Inc. Educational Consultants, and would like to help you find the best match as far as selecting a college is concerned. We work one-on-one with students [and their families], helping to identify colleges and universities that offer the best opportunities for connecting student learning and student needs, while keeping the student on track through every phase of the college search and application process. We are not employed by any school; we work for you!

KaMi College Consulting is co-owned by Kate Spear and Michelle Choi, both residents of Eastvale, CA. Kate spent over 16 years in the classroom teaching 2nd and 6th grades where she excelled at motivating and working with her students.  Michelle brings over 21 years of experience as a Language Arts teacher both at the intermediate and high school level; however, the last 15 years have been working with high school juniors and seniors. She brings a level of expertise preparing students for collegiate level writing and assisting their clients through the college essay process. Together we offer personalized, professional services to address the unique needs of the student on their college search and throughout the college admissions process.

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5 Things You Might Know About TCU…and 5 Things You Might Not!

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College Visits are a great way to check out a college for yourself, and see how you feel on the campus. Summer visits don’t give you the usual hustle and bustle feel, but there will usually be some students there, and a quiet, subdued visit is better than no visit at all!

If you are a sophomore or junior in high school right now, it’s definitely time to start thinking about your college visits – a perfect time to see what a school you might be considering is really like without solely relying on their website or brochure.  Seniors might choose to make a visit before they send off their applications, or wait until they have been accepted instead.  With all of the colleges out there, how do you begin to narrow your college search?  Check back with our blog frequently (or better yet-sign up to get our blog sent straight to your email), as we will be posting things we have observed on our most recent college visits.

Today, the KaMi Spotlight is on Texas Christian University, located in Fort Worth, TX.    The pictures are from our visit there in June of 2015.

5 Things You Might Know:

• A campus filled with an infinite amount of school spirit. Their mascot, the Horned Frog, can be found everywhere on campus.

• Division I, and part of the Big 12 Conference.

• Enrollment for 2014 was approximately 10,033 students.

• Cost to attend (2015-2016) is  $53,480 a year.

• The student to faculty ratio is 13:1, with an average class size of 27.

5 Things You Might Not Know About TCU:

• TCU has active and involved students…there are over 200 clubs and organizations and 35 fraternities and sororities to choose from.

• There is a two year on-campus living requirement.

• Besides the many places to eat on campus, a student’s Frog Bucks are accepted at 30 locations around town.

• Students are required to take one class of Religious Traditions, but there isn’t a chapel requirement.

• TCU offers 8 colleges and schools with over 100 majors from Actuarial Science to Writing. Students take a core curriculum that stays with them if they change their major.

TCU offers big-time athletics, opportunities, and experiences in Ft. Worth, the 17th largest city in the U.S. (and where “cowboy meets culture”). If you get to visit here, you will have lots to do and see!

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King Hall- one of twenty residence halls.

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Frog Fountain

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We peeked into one of the classrooms, notice the purple here?

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A common area in one of the dorms.

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Student Rec. Center.

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Head football coach Gary Patterson                                                                           (who used to coach Kate’s husband, John, at Sonoma State).

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A trophy case dedicated to a former San Diego Chargers’ player and former alum LaDainian Tomlinson.

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It’s not everyday that you get to check out the head coach’s office and trophies!

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The view from Coach Patterson’s office…amazing!

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Coach Patterson’s secretary was too kind- she let us take a picture of a championship ring AND her own pendant!

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TCU students get to sit right behind the bench (of the opposing team!).

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The Horned Frog.

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5 Things You Might Know About The University of Hawaii at Manoa… and 5 Things You Might Not!

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If you are a junior in high school right now, it’s definitely time to start thinking about your college visits – a perfect time to see what a school you might be considering is really like without solely relying on their website or brochure.  With all of the colleges out there, how do you begin to narrow your college search?  Check back with our blog frequently (or better yet-sign up to get our blog sent straight to your email), as we will be posting things we have observed on our most recent college visits.

Today, the KaMi Spotlight is on The University of Hawaii at Manoa, located on the beautiful island of Oahu.

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5 Things You Might Know:

• A 320 acre tropical campus located in Honolulu, HI.

• Division 1, Rainbow Warriors, and part of the Western Athletic Conference.

• Enrollment for 2013-2014 is approximately 20,000 students, which includes close to 6,000 graduate students.

• Cost of tuition (2014-2015) for a Non-Resident is $28,632 a year.  However, U of H at Manoa participates in the WUE Program which could bring down the tuition costs to $14,760.

• The student to faculty ratio is 14:1.

5 Things You Might Not Know About U of H at Manoa:

• All students take an Intro to Hawaii Pacific class to learn cultural information.

• Currently finishing construction of a new student recreation center, to open in Spring of 2014.

• Known for their Biology and Marine Biology programs.

• About 70% of the students are residents of Hawaii.

• Class sizes can range from 6- 250, but average 25-35.  Honors classes are capped at 30 students.

This school is very diverse, and while on the larger size, has a very friendly feel!

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Welcome!

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The odds of a freshman getting a parking pass are very slim…good thing these buses take you wherever you need to go on the island!

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The Queen Lili’uokalani Center for Student Services- and where you will begin your tour of the campus.

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The view out the window of the main dining area.

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Murakami Stadium, on the lower end of campus.

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Tennis courts, parking structure, and Stan Sheriff Center.

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These round buildings are the freshman dorms.

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These towers are upper division housing.

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5-story Hamilton Library.

IECA Conference 2013- New Friends

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We spent November 13-16 in San Diego, CA for a conference of Independent Educational Consultants, hosted by the IECA. It was a great opportunity for us to learn new things (everything from what the Admissions counselors at local colleges are looking for in the applications from transfer students, to building and growing our business through seminars and many other topics in between!) AND a way for us to meet new people who are successfully building or have built their own businesses as IEC’s. Here is a picture of Kate and one of our new friends! 

This is Nicole Campbell from AIM Educational Services.  

Her company specializes in SAT / ACT / SSAT / GRE / GMAT Prep as well as College and
Grad School Placement.
Her website is www.aimeduservices.com
You can also find AIM on Instagram @aimeduservices or Facebook at www.facebook.com/aimcollegeplacement

AIM Educational Services is based in Kingston, Jamaica but serves students all over the
Caribbean. 

5 Things You Might Know About Claremont McKenna College….and 5 Things You Might Not!

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If you are a junior in high school right now, it’s definitely time to start thinking about your college visits – a perfect time to see what a school you might be considering is really like without solely relying on their website or brochure.  With all of the colleges out there, how do you begin to narrow your college search?  Check back with our blog frequently (or better yet-sign up below to get our blog sent straight to your email), as we will be posting things we have observed on our most recent college visits.

Today, the KaMi Spotlight is on Claremont McKenna College (CMC).

5 Things You Might Know:

• Claremont McKenna College, one of the 5 Claremont Colleges, is a private Liberal Studies college of approximately 1,300 students.

• Cost to attend with room and board is approximately $60,000 a year, but CMC meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.  [Check out the FAFSA 4caster at https://fafsa.ed.gov/ to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and to determine your own financial need.]

• A Division 3 school with 21 sports (combined with Harvey Mudd and Scripps College and known as Claremont-Mudd-Scripps CMS)

• About 95% of the students live on campus.

• CMC shares a Health Center, Library, and Campus Safety System with the 4 other Claremont colleges, the 2 Claremont Graduate Universities, and the Claremont University Consortium.

5 Things You Might Not Know:

•The Kravis Center holds 5 research institutes- providing hands-on work experience to students.

• If you were to poll the students, you would probably find that CMC is the most politically balanced of the colleges. (Pitzer is probably the most Liberal.)

•The Athenaeum frequently hosts guest speakers during lunch and dinner time.  Parents are even welcome to attend if there is space available.

• The residential halls have lounge areas and laundry rooms; rooms are cleaned every 2 weeks.

• There are 7 dining halls amongst the Claremont Colleges; your meal plan allows you to eat at any school!

Claremont McKenna college has a very small-college feel, with big-college amenities and opportunities.

Inside the Athenaeum.

CMS (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps) Athletics.

“Ponding” (getting thrown into a pond) is a tradition at CMC that goes way back! Once used to celebrate engagements, it’s now used for birthdays.

One of the biggest, grassy quads that we have seen!

This is the view you are met with to start your tour! The cube in the picture is a study center, open 24 hours.

5 Things You Might Know About UCR…and 5 Things You Might Not!

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If you are a junior in high school right now, it’s definitely time to start thinking about your college visits – a perfect time to see what a school you might be considering is really like without solely relying on their website or brochure.  With all of the colleges out there, how do you begin to narrow your college search?  Check back with our blog frequently (or better yet-sign up to get our blog sent straight to your email), as we will be posting things we have observed on our most recent college visits.

 

Today, the KaMi Spotlight is on the University of California, Riverside (UCR)

 

UCR logo

UCR logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

5 Things You Might Know:

 

• There are over 360 Greek organizations on campus.

 

• A Division 1 school in the Big West Conference playing big name schools like USC and UCLA with 17 sports teams.

 

• Enrollment for 2012-2013 is just over 21,000 and most of them are Undergrads.  About 30% of the students live on campus.

 

• Cost to attend ranges from around $23,000 to live at home while attending to $37,000 for out-of-state residents.

 

•  A GPA of 3.0 is required to apply along with the ACT with Writing or the SAT Reasoning test.

 

5 Things You Might Not Know About UCR:

 

•Larger class sizes (could be a concern to someone who is looking for a smaller environment) of 100-220 students for the GE classes with the largest auditorium holding 538 students.

 

• Ranked as the 8th most diverse university in the nation.

 

•4 libraries on campus, all with computer labs.

 

• An Honors Program is available for qualified students that ensures priority registration (even above athletes).

 

• UCR is a public, research university that partners with many outside agencies for development and advancement.

 

To us, UC Riverside seemed very well organized and had a studious vibe.  Many students were walking around with headphones on or studying in quiet areas.  With its Medical School opening in August of 2013, we are sure this high quality school will continue to grow in size and reputation.

 

UCR Bell Tower

UCR Bell Tower (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

 

 

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