Ask Headmaster Ken

Headmaster Ken,

I have several years experience in university admissions and I would like to start an admissions consulting business in China for students wanting to go to a U.S. university. I know that many companies already do this - the largest being New Oriental. However, these companies charge up to 8000 per student, and so I am thinking there is some room to offer the same services at a lower cost. Moreover, I think that the market is less saturated outside the major cities, so that may be my focus.

I wanted to ask you your thoughts.

More specifically, I wanted to ask how students wanting to study in the U.S. typically go about applying. Do their junior/high schools go about arranging these services? Is it the students' parents who decide? Does the English school have any say in it?

What I am wondering is what the best way might be to get my foot in the door. Should I attempt to contact the various schools throughout China to offer my services?

Also, I was considering doing some work for their students for free so that I can gain credibility. Do you think this would be an effective strategy?

I really appreciate your help and I love your blog. Thanks in advance.

I don't know how much of your knowledge of U.S. university admissions will be marketable in China. Of course some of your knowledge will be of use, but that is a different thing than being able to package and sell it.

Parents have very high expectations for their offspring, so managing expectations may be an issue.

Also, many students are not eligible for direct entry into universities due to inadequate English skills, which may require an intervention.

Obtaining letters of reference, grade verification, and parental income verification are areas you will be dealing with that have different dynamics in China.

Please PM me for any follow up questions.