Families sometimes ask me: “Do you advocate for your clients with schools?”
The answer is no—and that’s exactly as it should be. NYC private schools want to evaluate each child and family on their merits, not on their consultant. Admissions officers consistently make clear that they do not give preference to applicants because of a consultant’s involvement.
You may notice that some admissions consultants call themselves “Friends of ISAAGNY” (the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York). According to ISAAGNY’s website, these consultants must pay ISAAGNY $1250 annually to be “friends”. ISAAGNY itself explicitly states that “Friends” are not endorsed by the association, and that being a client of a “Friend” does not provide any admissions advantage.
I like to keep my friends real, and my communication honest, which is why I’m frank with my families.
What truly helps families is not a logo or a membership, but deep knowledge of the NYC, Westchester and Greenwich private schools admissions process, honest guidance, and seasoned judgment. With more than twenty-five years of experience helping New York families successfully navigate private school admissions, I provide exactly this.
At Abacus Guide, I focus on what matters most: understanding your child and your goals, and giving you the strategies to make the strongest possible case—while giving your child the best chance to succeed.