I’ve been thinking about impact and self this week. As a consultant, my experience provides impact to families who are researching the boarding school landscape, yet I must convince families of the impact that I can provide. In a similar vein, the student must have impact when introducing oneself to a school.

The educational consultant must listen very carefully to the aspirations of families and through in depth knowledge of schools and of young people, guide them to research those that could become the right fit. This list of schools should range from “safety,” to “ reach,” to “dream.”

When searching schools in a vacuum, a family can get sidetracked into a research pattern that could very well be a dead end. Reliance on school brand, magazine rankings and listening to friends can lead further into traps. A consultant is a trusted guide through the maze of schools.

This week I spoke with a mother from California who is attracted to two boarding schools on Vancouver Island for her gifted son. I was delighted to introduce these schools to her and I was able to realize the positive impact my thoughts had as she began her research. If her child enrolls at one of these schools it will be a transformational experience. That’s what it’s all about.

On Friday I switch gears and speak with a family from Beijing. It is a privilege to open up the world of Canadian and American boarding schools to global families.

In all situations, the best advice is for the child to develop their best self and present themselves positively to the right fit of schools. That will provide impact. Success will follow.