741. WHAT IS AN IEC AND WHO NEEDS ONE?

741. WHAT IS AN IEC AND WHO NEEDS ONE?

Author: Amy Seeley & Mike Bergin July 21, 2026 Duration: 24:17

Most people know–or at least think they know–the role of a school-based counselor. What about all of the professionals in private practice who support families on their admissions journeys and more? Amy and Mike invited IECA CEO Stephanie Simpson to learn what an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) is and who needs one.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

  1. What role do Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) play in a student's academic journey, and how do they

  2. How can IECs complement the contributions of school counselors, especially in districts where high counselor-to-student ratios make individualized support difficult?

  3. At what point in a teen's academic journey can IECs be most valuable?

  4. What else do IECs offer beyond application coaching?

  5. What does a qualified, ethically grounded IEC practice look like in today's landscape, and how should educators and school counselors help families evaluate who they choose to work with?

MEET OUR GUEST

Stephanie Simpson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the leading professional organization representing independent private college and career counselors who support students and families navigating postsecondary education pathways. Previously, she served as CEO of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), the world's largest and oldest professional association dedicated to helping middle school educators cultivate the potential and possibilities of young adolescents. 

Stephanie's nearly 15 years of association leadership experience includes senior roles at the American College of Cardiology and the American Psychiatric Association. She holds a JD from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and a BA from DePaul University.

Stephanie can be reached on LinkedIn.

LINKS

Independent Educational Consultants Association

IEC profile Archives - TestBright

RELATED EPISODES

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A COLLEGE CONSULTANT?

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE COUNSELOR

THE DIFFERENT ROLES OF SCHOOL AND PRIVATE COUNSELORS

HOW SCHOOL AND PRIVATE COLLEGE COUNSELORS CAN WORK TOGETHER

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and the founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

 


Navigating the complex world of college admissions can feel like a maze with ever-shifting walls. Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast, hosted by Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin, serves as a reliable guide through that maze. Instead of generic advice, their conversations delve into the nuanced realities of testing, admissions strategies, learning differences, and broader educational trends. They bring in leading experts to provide depth and clarity on the issues that matter most right now. Whether you're a parent trying to support your student, a counselor shaping guidance, or an educator within the system, this podcast offers substantive discussion that goes beyond the surface. Each episode aims to demystify the process, offering practical insights and thoughtful analysis. You'll hear honest talk about standardized tests, application essays, financial aid, and the many factors that shape decisions on both sides of the admissions desk. For anyone invested in understanding the journey to higher education-from students to consultants-this is a vital resource. Tune in for a consistently informative and straightforward take on an industry that affects so many futures.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
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