Laurie Kopp Weingarten is the president and chief educational consultant at One-Stop College Consulting. She is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) specializing in helping students gain admission to the most selective schools in the country. She’s also a Commissioner of the AICEP. We interviewed her about her work and what the certification means to her practice.
AICEP: You have an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BSE from The Wharton School. You could do anything you wanted to do, why did you choose this field?
Laurie Kopp Weingarten: Even as a high school student, I was always interested in college admissions. I grew up in New Jersey, and my parents said I could attend any college within a four-hour drive. I wanted to learn about the schools within that radius and began reading all the guidebooks and catalogues. But then, my curiosity took over, and I began to research schools all over the country. I became familiar with hundreds of schools. When I got to college, I was so interested in the admission process that I volunteered as a tour guide and as an “admissions sitter,” speaking to prospective students and families. It was my hobby; I was obsessed with admissions, though it did not occur to me that this could be my profession. After graduating college, I worked in marketing and brand management, but also signed up to be a University of Pennsylvania alumna interviewer. When I was ready to return to work after taking time off to be a mom and being away from marketing for so long, I sought a new direction. I had heard of independent educational consulting, and I decided to give it a go.
AICEP: Why are you so good at what you do?
LKW: I live and breathe college admissions. I am truly passionate about this work. I spend hours a day reading about the ever-changing landscape of higher education. I listen to webinars and attend multiple conferences each year. I regularly speak with admissions officers to stay on top of the new trends and the constant changes! I love learning. I’m so focused on what I’m doing, and I am never bored. I really enjoy this dynamic field because every day is different. IECs really care about helping teens. For most of us, it is not “just a job.”
AICEP: Why did you get the CEP certification?
LKW: There was a booth at the IECA conference where AICEP spoke about how valuable it is to have the certification. I was somewhat interested, but my business was thriving, and I was so busy that sitting for the exam wasn’t on my “must do” list. Then, I won a free application and assessment, and I decided to go for it! Steve Antonoff called me—at that time, he called everyone who took the exam—and we discussed the various questions and expectations. I sat for the assessment in the fall, probably the worst time to take an exam—as I was trying to get my high school seniors to the finish line for early decision deadlines—but I managed to prepare for it. When I learned that I passed, I was surprised to see how excited I was! It gave me a sense of accomplishment. I felt like it really showcased my knowledge and served as an affirmation from experts in the field that I grasp the complexities of college admissions. The CEP initials after my name mean so much to me. I’m very glad I did it. CEP is such a trusted credential. It shows your knowledge of the industry, your commitment to ongoing personal development, and adherence to ethical standards. It keeps you honest and current! You’re really keeping up with what is happening in the industry. There is nothing else in this profession that requires continuous training like this.
AICEP: How has your certification influenced your practice?
LKW: There are many in the public who still don’t know what the CEP is, but I always mention it in my prospective student consultations. There are no barriers to entry in this field—anyone can call themselves a college admissions consultant–and the CEP is the only board certification offered. It is the gold standard. Only 2% of educational consultants are certified. This low percentage number is rather sobering. I framed my certificate and have it on permanent display in my office. It is a great selling point, even though I can’t quantify how many families hire me because of the credential. But that’s not my primary concern. I am proud to have reached the highest level of achievement in my career, and I think it’s wonderful that we all must recertify every five years to remain current. The CEP designation acknowledges expertise in college admissions, and it’s exciting to be a part of that!
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