An Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) is a private advisor who works one-on-one with students through the college search and application process. School counselors, despite being talented and dedicated, manage a student-to-counselor ratio of 372:1, leaving little time for personalized college guidance. An IEC fills that gap with focused, individualized support from start to finish.

OES offers options for every stage of the process, from a 4-session Road Map Package for families just getting started, to multi-year Comprehensive Packages for students who want full support from college list to decision day. Gap-year, independent school, and hourly consulting are also available. Schedule a free consultation to find the right fit.

Yes! While OES is based in Bozeman, MT, we work with families across the Mountain West and nationwide. All sessions are conducted virtually, making it easy to work together regardless of where you're located.

The earlier, the better, but it's never too late. Ideally, students begin in 9th or 10th grade to build strong academic habits and a long-term plan. Junior year is the most common starting point, and OES has packages designed specifically for that. Even seniors just starting the process can benefit from focused, expert support. Schedule a free consultation.

A gap year is a structured year between high school and college used for travel, internships, volunteer work, or personal growth. When done intentionally, it can strengthen a student's college application, clarify their goals, and set them up for a more purposeful college experience.

The personal essay is one of the most important and most misunderstood parts of the application. My approach starts with structured brainstorming to uncover what makes your student genuinely unique, then we develop drafts through an iterative coaching process focused on authentic voice and real storytelling. The goal is an essay that sounds like your student, not a formula.