AIGAC Responds To Operation Varsity Blues: Reaffirms Commitment to Highest Standards of Integrity & Competence
[Press release by AIGAC, March 15, 2019]
The Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC) was established with the express purpose of setting high ethical standards in the graduate admissions consulting industry and applauds the U.S. Justice Department's recent actions. Today, our membership consists of more than 200 members around the world who agree to our stated principles of good practice. These principles reflect the standards with which our members relate to their clients, graduate school applicants:
Serving their clients and prospective clients in an ethical manner, with professionalism and respect.
Insisting that clients write their own essays.
Advocating that clients’ recommenders write their own recommendations.
Avoiding any relationship that creates or appears to create a conflict of interest.
In order to become an AIGAC member, admissions consultancies must go through a rigorous membership application review that includes an intensive background check and approval by the AIGAC Board of Directors. In addition, a governance committee meets quarterly to reinforce members’ continued commitment to meeting the high standards laid out in the organization’s principles.
The Justice Department’s Operation Varsity Blues case is a reminder that the high-stakes admissions process is not just stressful, but can create opportunities for unethical players. AIGAC exists to provide support and professional development for those helping young people self-reflect through the admissions process and attain the right education in the right way. The current discussion around admissions practices - good and bad - creates an opportunity to provide greater clarity of the trustworthiness and distinguishing character traits of an AIGAC admissions consultant.
We, the leaders and member consultants of AIGAC, reaffirm our commitment to the high standards with which we serve our clients and prospective clients. AIGAC members are dedicated to demystifying the application process and helping applicants gain admission to schools that will enable them to realize sincere goals while upholding the integrity of the admissions process.
“Each year, the association receives membership applications from consultancies that we deny because the consultancy fails to meet our highest ethical standards,” says Brett Haber, president of AIGAC. “The recent admissions scandal demonstrates that not all self-described admissions consultants share high ideals. If someone promises you something that sounds too good to be true, for you or your child, then you should keep looking.”
About AIGAC
AIGAC was incorporated as a not-for-profit association in November 2006 to set industry standards for graduate admissions consultants. The association’s mission is to support the educational goals of clients and prospective clients with the utmost integrity. Violation of the 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.