Principles of Good Practice for AIGAC Members

Members commit to maintain the highest standards of integrity and competence in dealing with the Association, other members, clients, and third parties.

In serving clients, members agree to:

  • Put the interests of the clients and prospective clients ahead of their own.
  • Advise applicants to explore career goals before applying to school.
  • Support applicant introspection.
  • Encourage applicants to research schools and their programs while providing information and resources.
  • Urge students to discharge their responsibilities in the admissions process in a timely manner.
  • Insist that clients write their own essays.
  • Maintain client confidentiality.

In interactions with other consultants, members agree to:

  • Share information with other consultants in a reasonable and appropriate way.
  • Respect the intellectual property of other consultants.

In growing their businesses, members agree to:

  • Strive to improve the professional skills of their staffs.
  • Maintain awareness of current trends and practices in admissions.
  • Be factual in claiming professional training, experience, and affiliations.
  • Refrain from claiming Independent Consultant or Business Organization member status when an Associate Member or Student Member.
  • Increase public understanding of the graduate admissions consulting profession.

In dealing with schools and other third parties in the admissions field, members agree to:

  • Refuse compensation from schools for placing candidates.
  • Cooperate with third parties to keep school statistics, test results, and rankings in perspective.
  • Maintain independence of thought and action.

In all instances, members agree to uphold the honor and dignity of the admissions consulting industry.

****Violation of these principles of good practice can result in the termination of membership after review by, and in the sole discretion of, the AIGAC Board of Directors. AIGAC seeks to help members comply with the principles of good practice and welcomes questions from any member about the compliance of an existing or proposed practice.
 
"Four admissions consultants faced a crowd of admissions professionals at the Annual Industry Conference, prepared to describe their services and dispel any rumors about inappropriate application assistance. According to [the panelists], admissions consultants act as advisors, serving the same purpose as … career centers and writing tutors. They help applicants prepare for the process, they mentor their clients during essay-writing, and they conduct mock interviews." - GMAC News





 

Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants
915 L Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 446-3670
Fax: (916) 442-0382
Email: info (AT) aigac (DOT) org
© Copyright 2007-2008 AIGAC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy