“It’s hard for kids to get into colleges because they only want to get into colleges that are hard to get into.”- Bill Mayher, The College Admission Mystique

BUSINESS START-UP TOOLS:

Legal Zoom - online LLC creation. I used this to create The Vale Group, LLC (2015-2016). Very easy.
Logo Sportswear - this company will create custom stitching on polos, jackets, etc. one at a time (or in bulk), so you don’t have to buy more than you need. I created a fleece vest for CollegeVale and am very pleased with it.
LogoTournament - logo design. Pricing starts at over $200 but that gives you a good selection of design options and comes highly recommended by some of my former students.
Small Business Loan Calculator - recommended by a site user. May be useful if you plan to take out a small business loan for your consulting firm.


CHARTER BUSING COMPANIES:

Academy Bus
BusBank.com - helps you charter buses nationwide.
Fox Tours and Silver Fox Motorcoaches


CLIENT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE:

Guided Path - software for counselors and educators.
College Planner Pro - software for the independent consultant designed to help keep track of student progress; CPP also includes some useful resources on their resources page.
FollowUpThen - email reminder system.


CREDENTIALING:

American Institute of Certified Educational Planners


PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)
Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA)
University of Irvine - Extension, Independent Educational Consultant Certificate Program - offers courses specifically designed for the educational consultant.
National Association for College Admission Counseling and affiliates.
Advising the College-Bound Student-Athlete Counselor Webinar Series - from TheStudentAthleteAdvisors.com



RECOMMENDED READING:

Whether you are an experienced IEC or a newbie, Steven Antonoff's newest book, IEC: A Student of Colleges, should be required reading.


SPECIALIZED SEARCH TOOLS:

CollegeWebLD - Fee-based (annual subscription) tool that enables you to research and compare special services on college campuses and print out detailed reports for your clients.


TOURS FOR INDEPENDENT COUNSELORS:

See IECA and HECA websites. Both groups offer tours for independents. Planning a tour or have organized a tour? Check the charter companies above and send in your own recommendations!
Visiting on your own? Consider using The College Atlas & Planner from Wintergreen Orchard House and the AAA TripTik Travel Planner.


Also see “The College Process” and “School Counselors.”