With competition at top graduate programs on the rise, more and more applicants are turning to admissions consultants for guidance. This demand has fueled explosive growth in the admissions consulting industry, and while most consultants are ethical, experienced professionals, it can be difficult for applicants – and admissions officers – to sort out the good from the bad.
In response to the rapid, unregulated growth of the admissions consulting industry, Clear Admit and other leaders in the field have joined together to establish the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC). AIGAC’s primary objectives, as explained in today’s press release, are to ensure high ethical standards, commitment to principles of good practice, and continued professional development among admissions consultants. AIGAC will also promote industry growth and cultivate communication channels between applicants, graduate school officials, and other organizations related to the field.
Clear Admit co-founder Graham Richmond has been an integral part of AIGAC’s planning. In conversations with Linda Abraham of Accepted.com, Ricardo Betti of MBA Empresarial and Maxx Duffy of Maxx Associates, it became clear that a professional organization was needed to help support the growing industry of admissions consulting while ensuring high ethical standards. After much planning, AIGAC is now ready to issue a Stamp of Excellence to qualified members who operate in accordance with the organization’s principles.
Feedback from around the MBA community has been positive. Dawna Clarke, Director of Admissions at Tuck, anticipates that AIGAC “should significantly alleviate concerns regarding issues such as improper coaching of essays,” and Chicago’s Associate Dean of Student Recruitment and Admissions Rose Martinelli has this to say about AIGAC:
“An organization like AIGAC assures both schools and candidates that there are industry standards in place and consulting firms linked to this organization are following ethical practices. It also opens the door for sharing best practices within the counseling industry and for closer engagement between the counselors and the schools.”
We at Clear Admit couldn’t agree more, and are excited to be part of the founding of this industry-leading initiative.
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