HECA: Advancing Professionalism In College Admissions Consulting

The Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) is a professional organization focused exclusively on the practice of independent college admissions consulting. Since 1997, HECA has been dedicated to advancing professional standards for the higher educational consulting field while supporting our members as they expertly guide students through the transition from high school to college.

History of the Higher Education Consultants Association

HECA was founded by a group of higher education consultants who recognized the need for standards and professional development for those in the growing field of higher education consulting. The new organization received support and assistance from college admissions officials, who welcomed HECA’s commitment to advancing high ethical standards for the profession.

As the organization grew, HECA increased the depth and variety of the professional development programs offered to both experienced and newer consultants. HECA now hosts a membership conference each year to provide our members with opportunities to stay current on trends in college admissions and educational consulting. The conference also gives members a chance to network with colleagues across the country.

Today, HECA has grown from its initial membership of 38 to close to 500 professional college admissions consultants from every region of the United States. Our members serve the college planning needs of more than 12,000 high school seniors each year. Many of our members also actively assist low income students through pro-bono advice and volunteer service to non-profit organizations and local schools.

HECA's Mission

The Higher Education Consultants Association has a two-fold mission:

• Support students and parents during the transition from high school to college, with a commitment to equity and access to higher education for all students.
• Advance professional, ethical conduct, and standards for the profession of college admissions consulting.

To fulfill both parts of our organizational mission, all members are required to abide by four primary values: sound advising, integrity, respect, and confidentiality. These four values form the core of HECA's Ethics Standards for our members.

Additionally, HECA members are expected to demonstrate a commitment to their own professional development by staying current with ever-evolving trends in college admissions, visiting and researching individual colleges and educational programs, and expanding their professional counseling and consulting skills in order to provide quality service to adolescents and parents. To learn more about the requirements for membership, please click here.


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