IHL's Admissions Consulting Service
We know how complex the college and graduate school application process can be. Presenting your best self to an admissions committee requires strategy, expertise, great writing, finesse and salesmanship. We understand the application process like no one else in the business, and we love helping our students achieve the best possible outcomes.
Our program is one of a kind in its level of sophistication and customer service. It is not simply the essay editing package offered by other companies. It is custom-tailored to suit the needs of each client, ensuring that each application is as unique as the student behind it. From cover to cover, we help our students present the strongest possible portfolio to an admissions committee.
You can work with us on a single element of your applications or use us comprehensively to advise on every aspect of the process. Our consulting service is à la carte and all work is billed on an hourly basis.
No matter where in the world you are, we are at your disposal. Admissions consulting is available in-person at one of our offices or remotely via Skype, WizIQ or other videoconferencing platforms. We have worked with many students remotely and have found it to be as effective as in-person consultation.
Our Team and History
Our admissions consulting service is headed by our founder, Mayssoun Bydon. Mayssoun has been advising students and their families on how to navigate the application process since 1996. She has mastered the art of finessing applications to try to achieve the best possible outcome for each student. Mayssoun is one of the best in the business; admissions consulting is her passion and life's work.
Over the years, Mayssoun and the IHL team have advised hundreds of students on their college and graduate school applications. Mayssoun works personally with a limited number of students while leading our team of expert consultants and administrative staff. She personally oversees each client file, even if another consultant is the main point of contact, and is involved in all major application strategy decisions.
Our best-in-class admissions consultants are the reason we have been so successful advising students on the application process. We are incredibly selective in our hiring. All of our consultants have graduated from prestigious institutions and boast world-class academic, creative and professional achievements. Most importantly, they share a passion for mentoring and advising students. Experts in the college and graduate school admissions process, they are committed to staying up-to-date on all the latest admissions trends and data.
During this process, you will receive the level of personalized attention that has made IHL the most exclusive admissions advisory firm in the country. As a boutique firm, we provide admissions consulting to only 50-75 students each year. Given the in-depth and intimate nature of the relationship that develops, every one of our students (and their families) becomes part of the IHL family. Ultimately, we seek to establish a mentor/mentee relationship between each student and the IHL team, one that lasts long after the process itself is over. We love to stay in touch with our alumni and join them in celebrating their accomplishments. They are one of the greatest indicators of the strength of our elite programs.
Our Approach to Admissions Consulting
Our process is motivated by our commitment to helping each individual student find a place where they will thrive both academically and personally. For us, "success" means a student accepting admission to an institution that provides them with the best setting in which to cultivate knowledge, skills, network and future career opportunities.
Our approach is high-touch and full-service. We start with a comprehensive assessment of a student's background, including personality, grades, test scores, schools attended, extracurricular activities, family, career aspirations, and other factors. Our assessment ensures that we have a thorough understanding of each student's strengths, weaknesses and goals, allowing us to offer the best possible guidance.
Our program has many value-added components, including:
- School/program research and selection
- Consultants with expert writing skills to assist with résumé and essay development
- Management of all aspects of application strategy:
- How to craft effective essays, short answers and other written communications
- How to select recommenders and solicit persuasive letters of recommendation
- When and how to leverage personal, family and alumni relationships
- Formulating a strategic approach to waitlists and deposits
- Advanced interview techniques
- Letters of continuing interest and letters of commitment
- Scholarship / grant applications
- Peer matching and scholarship matching
- Selecting the right program
- Securing testing accommodations for learning disabilities
At its heart, our service is about advising students on the tone and content of every element of their applications. Whether writing a personal statement, an introductory email or a thank you note to an admissions officer, or utilizing a family connection in the most subtle and effective manner, the right messaging is critical for getting into better schools than numbers alone support. With decades of collective experience, we understand how to do just that.
If you have any questions about our admissions consulting program, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by phone at (212) 889-8378 or (734) 623-8378. Our Executive Director, Chad Biggert, is always available to answer any questions you may have. To enroll, please click here.
