Liz Baxter, M.Ed.
Independent College Consultant
M.Ed., School Administration, Vanderbilt University
B.A., History and English, Vanderbilt University
Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and Member of the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC) and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
Liz Chamberlain Baxter brings both exceptional education and strong experience to college consulting. A graduate of Cincinnati Country Day School, Ms. Baxter attended Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies. At Vanderbilt, she was employed in the undergraduate admission office as a work-study student. Ms. Baxter soon became a campus tour guide and enjoyed teaching others about the opportunities available at the University. Experiencing the admission profession first-hand, Ms. Baxter decided to pursue a graduate program in school administration at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Ms. Baxter continued to work as an intern in the admission office during her graduate studies, gaining the additional experience of evaluating undergraduate admission applications.
Returning home to Ohio, Ms. Baxter took a position in admission at Miami University in Oxford. She was involved in all aspects of admission, including marketing, communication, evaluating applications, and working closely with prospective families. Taking her role as counselor to heart, Ms. Baxter found guiding students through the college admission process one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.
After five years with Miami, Ms. Baxter made the decision to transition to the “other side.” As an independent college consultant, Ms. Baxter has dedicated herself to helping students find the best fit for their post-secondary education.
Why a Consultant?
"Independent college consultants have become more popular among parents who want to give their high-school students extra help in the college-admissions process. Although it's commonly assumed that wealthy families are the main clients of admissions consultants, middle-class families actually hire such consultants much more frequently." —Chronicle of Higher Education
A college education is one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime. With current tuition and room and board rates, a four-year public education can cost up to $120,000, while a four-year private education can cost $200,000 or more. When making any large investment, it is important to make the most informed decision. Just as you turn to a realtor for expert advice when buying a house, an independent college consultant is an expert available to help you through the college search and application process.
Cuts to education budgets, combined with increased caseloads for school counselors, have led to decreased time and resources for college admission advising in schools. An independent college consultant ensures a college search personalized to your needs, firsthand knowledge of a variety of post-secondary opportunities, and the time to explore all of these options with you.
Consultants provide individual attention to the student and family. With their extensive knowledge of colleges and universities, consultants can help you explore a wider variety of options. A consultant provides vital assistance in weighing factors such as cost, location and curriculum and can discuss these possibilities in a meaningful way.
Because they are not tied to any specific school or college, consultants are not burdened with unrelated duties, and are available at the family’s convenience—not just during school hours during the school year.