Information for Educational Consultants: Policies, Correspondence, Applications, and Educational Culture

The Putney School Admission Office works regularly with educational consultants and agencies around the world. Families overseas who are unfamiliar with American schools or who need help negotiating the application process often seek the support and guidance of consultants. We understand and appreciate the role such consultants play in the admissions process for international applicants.

Whenever possible, we encourage consultants to visit our campus, meet our teachers and students, and spend some time learning about our unique program and our progressive educational philosophy. When this is not possible, we urge agents to read our brochures and website thoroughly, and to contact our Admissions Office for answers to any questions not addressed in these publications. For Putney, as well as for the student, finding the best match between school and student is of utmost importance; Putney is not the right school for everyone or every family, but for the right student, Putney will be a powerful and life-shaping experience. For this reason, we ask that consultants become very familiar with what makes Putney "Putney."

The Putney School does not pay commissions to any educational agencies or consultants. In accordance with the guidelines of the IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), we expect that all compensation to such consultants is that which has been agreed upon by the agency and the family engaging its services. Putney also does not have any "exclusive agreements" with any agency in any country. We gladly accept inquiries and applications from any qualified student and will treat all applications, whether from an agent or from a student directly, with equal attention and consideration.

We understand that consultants are eager for each of their students/clients to find success in the application process, and for families to feel satisfied with the outcomes of all the efforts. At the same time, it is necessary to point out the importance of clear communication between the school, the consultant, and the student. In the interest of supporting applicants, consultants may offer more input or support than the American admissions process considers appropriate. Culturally, there may be significant differences in how such support is viewed, so we wish to clarify Putney's view, in the interest of helping all students understand the underlying American assumptions they will encounter now and throughout their American educational experience.

Contact information: mailing address and email address. Putney's application forms include one form specifically for international students. On this form there is a space for the consultant to provide his or her name, agency, and contact information. It is possible on this form to specify that correspondence be sent to the agent, to the family, or to both. On the General Information Form, we insist that the student's home address be entered, and not the address of the consulting agency. Likewise, we ask that the student's email address be provided on the General Information Form, and not the agent's email address, nor one created for the student and monitored by the agent.

Correspondence. Many students overseas are nervous about their level of English when they write to an admission office, and this self-consciousness is understandable. Consultants may share this concern, and be tempted to correspond on behalf of the student. While we encourage consultants to write to us whenever needed, we ask that the student also be encouraged and allowed to write to us directly. This step is an important one in the application and educational process, because once a student is in the US, he or she will be expected to advocate for his/her needs, to contact teachers for guidance or help, and to overcome self-consciousness in speaking and writing to native speakers, even if his or her English is not yet fluent. Errors in English are not the primary concern; we know that applicants from overseas are still learning English, and the fact that they are willing to try is crucial. If you are a consultant, please do not write in the student's voice, and please encourage your student clients to establish a personal contact with our Admission Office. This courage and curiosity is far more impressive than a polished letter written by someone else.

Application essays. When Putney students, both American and international, apply to colleges, our teachers and college counselors have a very organic approach to working with them on their application essays. We know that college admission offices are reading for the personal voice of a student, and for the personality that comes through a heartfelt essay. From a cultural point of view, this step of self-introduction through the essay reflects the high value American schools place on individuality and independence. Overt rewriting or "polishing" of student essays can have a detrimental effect that backfires on the student. Over time, high school and college admission officers come to trust the recommendations and referrals of consultants whose students have clearly written in their own voice, with their own level of English, and with ideas that emerge from their own insights, dreams, and passions. At Putney, "finding your own voice" is a key goal of our educational program, and we are already looking for students who begin to share that voice during the application process.

Support for students after enrollment. We have found, over time, that consultants who continue to communicate with and support the students who enroll at Putney learn more and more about our school and are therefore able to make better referrals to Putney. We encourage this ongoing contact and support and appreciate what it can offer the students' family, particularly when parents may not use English comfortably. Again, such arrangements and compensation are established between the consulting agency and the family. With the permission of the parents, Putney will send progress reports, advisor letters, and other correspondence to consultants who represent the student and family overseas. This is not a requirement but can be very helpful.

Admission Office visits overseas. Representatives from The Putney School occasionally travel overseas to meet candidates, introduce Putney to consultants or other schools, and attend scholastic fairs. If you are interested in meeting a Putney representative when we travel overseas, please contact our Admission Office. Although these trips are only occasional, they are wonderful opportunities for "Putney people" to share our ideas, introduce our programs, and tell more families what makes Putney such a wonderful place. If you do not already know much about The Putney School, you will probably be surprised and delighted by what you learn.

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