Information on Business:
Basics:
As a college application consultant you will be entrusted with helping students make choices that could affect their lives. You will not only be talking with students but also with their families. In order to be successful you will need to have both students and families included in the process along with having great knowledge of the colleges and programs available. You will need to have good communications and research skills.
To Get Started:
You can get started by doing direct mailings, advertising online, in newspapers and phone book, also begin to participate in local workshops where there will be future college students looking for help. Even though it is not required it will be extremely helpful if you attended college yourself so you know better in what you are offering. Talk with school administrators and see how you can work together. You need to prepare what process you will use to find your client's qualities, strengths, weaknesses, wants, needs, etc. Once you have met your clients you will be interviewing them, you will also interview their family. The next step will be to present them with a number of choices that fit their profiles, make sure that you know how they ft so you can answer any questions they have. After they made their choice, you will help them fill the required applications, and keep them informed of any changes. You can additionally help them with budgeting decisions, college housing options and extracurricular activities available. You can charge $100 to $2000 for your work, be carefully with telephone and travel expenses since they could get out of hand.
Tips:
You shouldn't need assistant since you will do most of your work alone. This business can be run from home and it is an opportunity for people with disabilities. For Internet links related to this business do a search for the Independent Educational Consultants Association and College Connectors.
Definition:
A person that helps individuals with choosing the right college and program to enter by keeping them well informed of their options.
Revenue Range:
$25,000 to $40,000 per year.
Education and Training Required:
Ability to recognize which programs and schools fit each individual student. Excellent knowledge of colleges and programs available.
Equipment Required:
Brochures and reference materials from colleges, a computer, computer database software (to organize colleges and programs), office materials and supplies.
