What is an Educational Consultant?

 

For Educational Institutions

 

Educational consulting companies help colleges, universities, corporations and for-profit educational service providers, often collaborating with a provost or vice president. Educational consultants advise on student and faculty retention, recruiting, alumni relations, fundraising and other areas that need improvement. Consultants also help institutions improve their reputation among students, staff and alumni.

 

Consultants interview students, professors and staff and write a report recommending the best paths for achieving the institution’s goals. Schools may hire educational consulting companies to improve their competitive edge or comply with an accrediting board’s guidelines. The relationship between a school and a consultant often lasts around six months, at which time the school decides whether to follow through on the recommendations.

 

Consulting for Students

 

Educational consultants also work directly with students and their families, helping the student choose a college and devise the best strategy to gain acceptance into that school. Some parents hire an educational consultant for their children early in their high school career to help them choose the classes and activities that will move them toward their goals. Consultants may also help with selecting a college, gathering application materials and developing a schedule to write essays. And they can help students choose a major and decide how that might translate into a career.