Who we are
Joy Suzuki is an independent educational consultant and founder of Suzuki Educational Consulting. Joy earned her Bachelor's degree in French from Wheaton College (IL), a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of San Francisco, and her certificate in College Counseling from the University of California, Los Angeles. She completed the IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) Summer Training Institute, and is a member of IECA and the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC). The field of college admissions is everchanging, and there is always more to learn. Joy attends numerous professional conferences and workshops and visits colleges across the country, meeting admissions officers and networking with other professionals in the field.
Throughout her professional career, Joy has worked with students from around the world in leadership, administrative, advising, and teaching roles in the field of international education and cross-cultural exchange. She worked with many college-bound students in those roles, helping with test prep and essay writing, and guiding students in their college decisions. Joy has extensive personal experience in learning other languages (Japanese, French, and Spanish) as well as traveling, living, studying, and working abroad. She has taught and advised secondary school students in Japan and in the U.S., and is experienced in assessing needs and delivering tailored instruction to help students reach their full potential.
An IEC since 2020, Joy came into the profession with an already strong skill set in counseling, teaching, organization, project management, communication, and, most importantly, building relationships with teens and young adults. Using a student-centered approach, she empowers students to confidently take charge of their college journey and find the right college fit. Joy is strongly committed to inspiring students to achieve their academic and personal goals, by providing professional and personalized guidance through the transition to college and beyond.
Why Hire an Educational Consultant?
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An educational consultant is able to provide individualized guidance tailored to the student’s unique needs and goals.
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An educational consultant will get to know the student well. Taking into account the student’s unique academic profile, interests, and goals, and combining that with their extensive knowledge of colleges, they help students craft a balanced list of best-fit colleges. They help students discover schools that otherwise might not have been on their radar.
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Quality educational consultants, especially those belonging to professional organizations such as IECA, have insider information about colleges and universities and can help students make informed decisions about which schools will fit best with their goals and interests. They also are connected with admissions officers, alumni, and colleagues, and have information and resources that aren’t available online.
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Educational consultants take time to get to know the student’s strengths and interests, and can provide advice and direction on potential future careers, guiding students towards college programs that best align with their career goals - whether that be a college that aligns well with a specific career interest or a college that offers plenty of opportunity to explore.
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An educational consultant helps keep the college application process organized by advising them on timelines, tracking and managing deadlines, and understanding requirements of colleges on the student’s list. Better knowledge and organization means less stress and anxiety.
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From advice on high school course selection and extracurricular involvement to strategies and feedback for crafting strong and authentic essays, an educational consultant will help students put their best foot forward on college applications.
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Hiring an educational consultant can help students and families understand college affordability and increase the chance of a student receiving financial aid. A consultant can help students and families understand the expected cost of colleges, identify colleges that are a good financial fit, provide resources for scholarships, and assist with the financial aid application process.
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Teens don’t always want to listen to their parents (an understatement?), and parents and teens don’t always see eye to eye when it comes to college choices and fit. A consultant acts as an objective partner, helping bridge the gap between students’ and parents’ perspectives and goals. Consultants can also help student clarify their goals and aspirations, leading to more informed college choices.
High school college counselors have an important role to play in the college admissions process, but they likely have to spread their time and attention across hundreds of students, making it very difficult if not impossible for them to personalize their advice for each student. An educational consultant gets to know you well, is knowledgeable about the college admissions landscape, and can help you discover colleges that are the best fit academically, socially, and financially.
