As part of the PCACAC AP Committee’s desire to proactively
discuss ethics, we will be sending out monthly “case studies.” In these cases,
we will offer a situation and discuss whether the issue is in compliance with
NACAC’s
Statement of Principles of Good Practices (SPGP). This month’s case was submitted
by Julia Ross, a member of the PCACAC AP Committee as well as owner and
counselor for Professional Tutoring, LLC in VA. If you have a question about a
situation or SPGP, please contact a member of the AP Committee.
November Case: Sheila,
an independent counselor has worked with a high achieving student (4.1 weighted
GPA and 34 ACT), Alexandra, since the end of the student’s junior year. Alexandra is a busy young woman (potential
NCAA I athlete, congressional intern, volunteer, coach) and has very, very high
aspirations. She will not accept
anything less and will do whatever it takes for her to meet her goals.
As fall approaches, Alexandra focuses on her many
essays. Because of her intense schedule,
Alexandra requests lots of hand-holding to organize and outline her ten plus
essays. Sheila supports Alexandra by advising, but realizes that the essays
need to be the student’s work and encourages Alexandra to do her best.
Soon Alexandra receives the devastating news that she has
been deferred from PERFECT Ivy.
Alexandra is devastated; “no” is not a word in her lexicon. She meets with Sheila to discuss the way
forward. At the end of the meeting,
Alexandra mentions that an English teacher who once worked in the PERFECT Ivy
admissions office helped her to put more oomph in her essay. Sheila asks to read the essay and sees that
it bears absolutely NO resemblance to any of Alexandra’s earlier drafts. In fact, the essay seems to have been written
by a flamboyant and dramatic nineteenth century novelist.
Is there a NACAC SPGP issue here?
Discussion: There
are two questions here. First, is an independent counselor addressed by NACAC
SPGP? Secondly, what advice does SPGP give us concerning help on an
essay/application?
Concerning the first issue: According to the Introduction to NACAC’s Statement of
Principles and Good Practices (SPGP), “Since its founding in 1937, when a
select number of college and university professionals and high school
counselors came together to create a Code of Ethics within the
admission-counseling profession, NACAC has striven to ensure principled conduct
among professionals in the recruitment of students and the transition to
postsecondary education.” At the time, many of the professionals were admission
officers and school-based counselors.
Since then, the landscape has evolved, at times quickly, to
include related professionals including independent counselors, consultants,
counselors at Community Based Organizations and others. This is recognized in the SPGP Introduction
which continues, “Member schools,
colleges and universities, as well as other institutions, organizations and
individuals dedicated to the pursuit of higher education, believe in the
dignity, worth and potential of each and every student.”
This fact is relevant because some people might believe
those other entities are not beholden to the SPGP. But, if the individual or
organization is a member of NACAC, then (s)he/it agrees to meet the ethical
guidelines (SPGP) of NACAC. Not doing so would be terms for NACAC sanctions.
As to the second question, can a counselor help on an essay?
According to NACAC’s SPGP Best Practice III. A. 6, “Counseling Members will
encourage students to be the sole authors of their applications and essays and
counsel against inappropriate assistance on the parts of others.” Many students
approach counselors, peers, teachers, parents and others to brainstorm, discuss,
proofread and provide insight concerning essays. While there is no distinct
“line in the sand” that delineates too much help, those acting ethically work hard to balance
advising a student with making sure students maintain their voice and ownership.
In addition, it is important to note that this is a Best Practice and not a
Mandatory Practice.
Conclusion: A
growing number of non-school (college and high school) based professionals are
becoming involved in the college admission process. While they may not work at
a school, the SPGP does still affect them. In this case, Sheila is working to
try to help a student while following the ethical principals stated in the SPGP
Best Practices. Unfortunately, there is a chance that the teacher involved with
advising this student may not have followed SPGP. Perhaps, the teacher is even
unfamiliar with NACAC and/or the SPGP. Even so, there would be no true
violation as the practice is not Mandatory.
Moving forward could be politically sensitive, but could
also provide an important educational opportunity for the teacher who has
chosen to become involved in the process . If Sheila wished to help educate the
teacher, there are several possible approaches. For example, she could check to
see if the school is a NACAC member and reach out to the a counselor at the
school in order to let the counselor know about the issue. Then, the counselor
could work to educate the teacher. Or, if she knew the teacher, Sheila could
reach out to the teacher directly to provide information about NACAC, SPGP and
the issues. Another option would be to contact the local AP Committee for them
to reach out to the school to provide education materials (such as a copy of
the SPGP). If it came though the AP Committee, the student, independent
counselor and possibly even teacher name would be kept confidential.
If you wish to file a complaint, please complete
a
NACAC Confidential Complaint form. All personal information will be kept
confidential, but the information will be forwarded to the appropriate
affiliate AP Committee. This committee will follow up on the issue.
Want to review previous case studies?
Want to submit a case for consideration? Please e-mail the
PCACAC AP Committee Chair at jtalmage@stpaulsschool.org
