The Justice Department’s largest college admissions prosecution has put college consultants in the spotlight. While these admissions consultants generally are hired directly by parents as third-party consultants and have no affiliation with schools, secondary schools may justifiably be rattled by the implications of the charges and, as a result, wondering what they can do to limit their schools’ risk.

​Secondary schools are no doubt aware that parents may supplement a school’s college counseling services with private, third-party consultants. Administrators may be concerned about their school’s exposure when parents engage outside consultants who provide fraudulent, illegal services. Certainly, the Department of Justice’s recent indictment implicating Edge College & Career Network, coaches, school administrators, and parents will bring further scrutiny to the college consulting industry. In the wake of this prosecution, high schools may want consider the following:

• Is the college counseling office aware of any families who engaged Edge College & Career Network specifically?
• Is the college counseling office aware of any inconsistencies in standard testing or application procedures generally?
• If a school hires proctors to administer standardized tests, has the school conducted reasonable due diligence on the background of these proctors?
• Does a school have a draft communications plan to address these questions if asked?