Leading the Way - New York State Association for College Admission Counseling

Section I. Admission Promotion and Recruitment

1. will ensure that admission counselors are viewed as professional members of their institutions'staffs. As professionals, their compensation shall take the form of a fixed salary rather than commissions or bonuses based on the number of students recruited.
2. will be responsible for the development of publications, written communications, and presentations, i.e., college nights, college days, and college fairs, used for their institution's promotional and recruitment activity. They
   1. will state clearly and precisely the requirements for secondary school preparation, admission tests, and transfer student admission.
   2. will include a current and accurate admission calendar. If the institution offers special admission options such as early admission, early action, early decision, or waiting list, the publication should define these programs and state deadline dates, notification dates, required deposits, refund policies, and the date when the candidates must reply. If students are placed on wait lists or alternate lists, the letter which notifies the students of the placement should provide a history that describes the number of students placed on the wait lists, the number offered admission, and the availability of financial aid and housing. Finally, if summer admission or mid-year admission is available, students should be made aware of the possibility in official communication from the institutions.
   3. will not falsely advertise or misrepresent their academic offerings. Rather, members will provide precise information about their academic majors and degree programs. Such information should include a factual and accurate description of majors, minors, concentrations and/or interdisciplinary offerings that apply toward the completion of the undergraduate degree.
   4. will provide students, families and secondary schools with the most comprehensive information about costs of attendance and opportunities and requirements for all types of financial aid, and state the specific relationship between admission practices and policies and financial aid practices and policies.
   5. will describe in detail any special programs, including overseas study, credit by examination, or advanced placement.
   6. will include pictures and descriptions of the campus and community which are current and realistic.
   7. will provide accurate information about the opportunities/selection for institutional housing, deadline dates for housing deposits, housing deposit refunds, and describe policies for renewal availability of such institutional housing.
   8. will provide accurate and specific descriptions of any special programs or support services available to students with handicapping conditions, learning disabilities, and/or other special needs.
   9. will identify the source and year of study when institutional publications and/or media communications cite published ratings of academic programs, academic rigor or reputations, or athletic rankings.
   10. should indicate that the institution is a NACAC member and has endorsed the principles contained in this Statement.
3. will exercise appropriate responsibility for all people whom the institution involves in admission, promotional, and recruitment activities (including their alumni, coaches, students, faculty, and other institutional representatives), and educate them about the principles outlined in this Statement. Colleges and universities which engage the services of admission management or consulting firms shall be responsible for assuring that such firms adhere to this Statement.
4. will speak forthrightly, accurately, and comprehensively in presenting their institutions to counseling personnel, prospective students, and their families. They
   1. will state clearly the admission requirements of their institutions, and inform students and counselors about changed admission requirements so that candidates will not be adversely affected in the admission process.
   2. will state clearly all deadlines for application, notification, housing, and candidates' reply requirements for both admission and financial aid.
   3. will furnish data describing the currently enrolled freshman class and will describe in published profiles all members of the enrolling freshman class. Subgroups within the profile may be presented separately because of their unique character or special circumstances.
   4. will not use disparaging comparisons of secondary or postsecondary institutions.
   5. will provide accurate information about the use/role of standardized testing in their institutions'admission process.
5. will not use unprofessional promotional tactics by admission counselors and other institutional representatives. They
   1. will not contract with secondary school personnel for remuneration for referred students.
   2. will not offer or pay a per capita premium to any individual or agency for the recruitment or enrollment of students, international as well as domestic.
   3. will not encourage students to transfer if they have shown no interest in doing so.
   4. will not compromise the goals and principles of this Statement.
6. will refrain from recruiting students who are enrolled, registered, or have declared their intent or submitted contractual deposit with other institutions unless the students initiate inquiries themselves or unless cooperation is sought from institutions which provide transfer programs.
7. will understand the nature and intent of all admission referral services utilized by their institutions (including their alumni, coaches, students, faculty, and other institutional representatives) and seek to ensure the validity and professional competency of such services.

1. will provide a program of counseling which introduces a broad range of postsecondary opportunities to students.
2. will encourage students and their families to take the initiative in learning about colleges and universities.
3. will not use disparaging comparisons of secondary or postsecondary institutions.
4. will establish a policy with respect to secondary school representatives for the release of students' names. Any policy which authorizes the release of students' names should provide that the release be made only with the students' permission consistent with applicable laws and regulations. That permission may be a general consent to any release of the students' names. Secondary school representatives shall, in releasing students' names, be sensitive to the students'academic, athletic, or other abilities.
5. will refuse any reward or remuneration from a college, university, or private counseling service for placement of their school's students.
6. will be responsible for all personnel who may become involved in counseling students on postsecondary options available and educate them about the principles in this Statement.
7. will be responsible for compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to the students' rights to privacy.
8. will not guarantee specific college placement.
9. should provide information about opportunities and requirements for financial aid.
10. should indicate that the institution is a NACAC member and has endorsed the principles in this Statement.

1. will provide a program of counseling which introduces a broad range of postsecondary opportunities to students.
2. will encourage students and their families to take initiative in learning about colleges and universities.
3. will not use disparaging comparisons of secondary or postsecondary institutions.
4. will refuse unethical or unprofessional re- quests (e.g., for names of top students, names of athletes) from college or university representatives (e.g., alumni, coaches, or other agencies or organizations).
5. will refuse any reward or remuneration from a college, university, agency, or organization for placement of their clients.
6. will be responsible for all personnel who may become involved in counseling students on postsecondary options and educate them about the principles in this Statement.
7. will be responsible for compliance with applicable laws and regulations with respect to the students' rights to privacy.
8. will not guarantee specific college placement.
9. will provide advertisements or promotional materials which are truthful and do not include any false, misleading, or exaggerated claims with respect to services offered.
10. will communicate with the secondary school counselor about the college admission process, after obtaining student and parental consent.
11. should provide information about opportunities and requirements for financial aid.
12. should consider donating time to students who need the services of an independent counselor but who are unable to pay.
13. should indicate that the NACAC member has endorsed the principles in this Statement.

D. All other members providing college admission counseling services to students agree to adhere to the principles in this Statement.

E. College fairs, clearinghouses, and matching services that provide liaison between colleges and universities and students shall be considered a positive part of the admission process if they effectively supplement other secondary school guidance activities and adhere to this Statement.