Whether I’m working with a freshman or a senior who is just getting started, my goal is the same: helping students discover who they are and figure out their next steps into the future. But timing can make a big difference in how we get there.

Every year as school’s about to start, I get a frantic call from at least one parent. Their high school senior just realized it’s time to get moving on college applications. I can handle these latecomers. It means cramming a year and a half of work into a few short months, but it’s doable. And it reminds me of my days as a newspaper adviser. I’m good at rising to the occasion of a looming deadline.

Senior year of high school may not be the best time to hire a college adviser, also known as an independent educational consultant (IEC). By the time a student reaches senior year, it’s too late to tell them that they should have stuck with Spanish a little longer or should be taking a full schedule senior year.

But while I can’t reshape their transcript, I can help them tell their story in the most compelling way possible. I can zip them through the process efficiently, find their strengths in their existing activities, and help them write a killer essay. Some students actually thrive with this focused, no-nonsense approach.

Hiring an IEC is a worthwhile investment in your child’s future. To maximize that investment, timing matters. So when is the best time to hire an IEC?

Starting in freshman or sophomore year is ideal. Even starting the summer before junior year can work well. If you’re aiming for the Ivies or highly selective schools, you should start in middle school.

Why start early?

I can help your student:

• think strategically about extracurriculars
• consider taking on leadership roles
• plan standardized testing and test prep
• plot logical, increasingly rigorous curriculum
• choose meaningful summer activities
• explore possible career paths and majors

Most importantly, I help students reflect on what they like and don’t like, who they’ve been and who they’re becoming.

If you have a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior with college in their future, let’s talk.