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1. What You Need to Know about
Becoming a Certified Educational Planner
Presented by AICEP | 2017
www.aicep.org

2. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED
EDUCATIONAL PLANNERS
Agenda
• Welcome And Overview
• The Steps To Certification
• Assessment: Institutional Knowledge
• Assessment: Professional Knowledge
• Scoring The Assessment
• Tips And Comments From Recent Test Takers

3. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Presenters
Cyndy McDonald, PPS/MA
• President of McDonald & Associates
• Founder of HECA & GuidedPath.
• Works with students in California and
remotely.
• An educator for over 20 years.
• Professional member of IECA & HECA,
member of WACAC, NCAG.
• Commissioner for AICEP
Laurie Kopp Weingarten, CEP
• founder of One-Stop College Counseling.
• Works with students in New Jersey office and
remotely throughout the US and Asia.
• Seven years of experience as an advisor
• Professional member of IECA, and a member
of NACAC, NJACAC, and PACAC.
• BSE from The Wharton School of
the University of Pennsylvania.
• MBA from Harvard Business School.

4. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
• Creates expectations for ethical, qualified educational advising.
• Establishes national standards for both educational consultants and
school-based college counselors.
• Recognizes value-oriented, knowledgeable counselors and consultants.
• Assures expanded knowledge and professional commitment.
• Provides the public a guide within which to select a qualified service
provider.
The Certified Educational Planner Program

5. Steps to Certification
Institutional Knowledge
Professional Knowledge

6. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
On the Application candidates submit information in such areas as:
• Educational background
• Educational consulting (or school-based college counseling) experience
• Professional ethics
• Memberships, conferences, contributions, skills, abilities, awarenesses and training
relevant to professional success
Application available at aicep.org
The Steps To Certification
1. Application
2. Assessment

7. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
For each school, candidates provide responses to these questions:
 The type of student who might be happy and best served
 The admission criteria
 The stand out features or attributes of the school
 Examples of similar schools
 A description of the physical plant and influence of the the
surrounding communities on the life of students.
Assessment: Institutional Knowledge
4 colleges, schools or therapeutic programs selected from
30 institutions identified in your application.
Write about 2 institutions of your choice.
4 colleges, schools or therapeutic programs selected from
30 institutions identified in your application.
Write about 2 institutions of your choice.

8. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Sample Responses
Type of student who would be happy and
best served:
Example #1: The type of student that might be
happy at University X is one who is a B/B+ student
who needs to have good time management skills. X is
a big school with a lot of school spirit. They also have
a large fraternity/sorority population. The student
needs to have focus and be disciplined enough to be
able to handle large auditorium classes and any
“distractions”.
:
Assessment: Institutional Knowledge

9. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Assessment: Institutional Knowledge
Example #2 : I believe a student who has grown up in the
Mid West or at least has an appreciation for D1 sports
and the emphasis placed on them would be happy here.
This student would have to want a large rah rah school
and would have to be a joiner. The Greek life at X seems
to be a very big part of the institution so a student would
have to be ready for this type of culture. It might help if
the student knew what he wanted to study, as one could
get lost in such a big environment with so much to do.
At the very minimum I would want a student to be pro
active and seek out the advising they offer. I would say
that this is no place for the timid
:

10. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Sample Responses
Specifically, after reading each case, the applicant is asked to
• Assess college/school characteristics that would be right for the student.
• Provide and rationalize specific institutional recommendations.
• Case evaluations include an assessment of counseling techniques; sensitivity to
individual student needs, and ethics.
Assessment: Professional Knowledge
The applicant is given two short cases/vignettes
covering self reported field(s) of professional
expertise.
The applicant is given two short cases/vignettes
covering self reported field(s) of professional
expertise.

11. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Sample Vignette:
Caroline Flores is a . . . junior at an inner city high school with a very diverse student body. Caroline
is a delightful young woman with a lot going for her, yet not very self-confident. She is . . . having a
strong junior year with grades of A’s and B’s, with an upward grade trend. She has a weighted GPA
of 3.3 on a 5.2 scale and unweighted GPA of 3.0 and an ACT of 20 . . She says that she is dumb,
comparing herself to friends who have A grade averages and ACT scores in the 32 range. . .
Caroline is warm and empathetic . . . She works as a hostess at a local restaurant about 15 hours a
week. She is doing well in her classes this year, struggling a bit with Anatomy and Physiology. . . .
Caroline and her family vacation in Mexico each summer. When they go, they take their own money
and pay workers to construct projects in the local community, like a soccer field and playground.
Caroline’s face lights up when she talks about her interactions with the children in the community
where the projects are located.
Her mother is white and her father is part white and part Latino. While she looks Latina . . . she
identifies as white. Her parents have financial resources and will likely qualify for need based aid at
very expensive colleges only. Her parents would love it if Caroline could at least be considered for
merit aid.
She is interested in going to a small or mid-sized college . . . with lots of activities. She would like to
have the chance to talk in class. She does not know what she would like to study in college, but has
given thought to being a college professor or an anthropologist. . . She would like to find a school
where it will be easy for her to seek academic help and be able to be involved in activities. She also
indicates that diversity (in ideas,as well as demographics) would make her happy. She is open as to
location . . .
Assessment: Professional Knowledge

12. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Assessment: Professional Knowledge
Response #1: Colleges for Caroline
. . Let’s see . . . what are we looking for here? We’re
looking for a college for an under-confident, caring,
community service minded student. She and her parents
are on the same page in wanting a small-to-middle-size
college with diversity. Qualifying for merit aid is a
bonus. She currently has a 3.0 and a 20 ACT. Earlham
College comes to mind. The Quaker principles of
tolerance and inclusion would be good for Caroline.
The students are friendly and, while vigorous, the
academics are not stifling. I believe that Caroline would
thrive in this sort of environment. Admission-wise, it
would be in the reach or the middle category. A positive
is that Earlham will take the time to get to know the
person Caroline is. . .

13. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Assessment: Professional Knowledge
Response #2: Colleges for Caroline
. . . Redlands is worth a look. It is reasonably
diverse for a small school and works to create
a happy community. There is diversity in the
student body, particularly given the availability
of the Johnston Center. This is a place where
students can make friends easily. They can
also get help easily from their professors.
Although Caroline says she would like to be
in the Midwest or East, she indicates she is
open as to location. Having her research
Redlands makes sense. . .

14. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Assessment: Professional Knowledge
Response #3: Colleges for Caroline
. . Kalamazoo. The calendar, with options of work,
study abroad, and senior project, would provide a solid
learning platform for Caroline, a young woman still
growing and developing her place in the world. I also
see the availability of interdisciplinary options right for
Caroline as she’s open as to her future direction.
.

15. Scoring the Assessment
Guiding Principles of Scoring

16. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Scoring the Assessment
• Recognition of needs/concerns of adult learners.
Some candidates have not taken a test in many
years.
• Confidentiality. No reader is aware of the name of
the person taking the test. Numbers and letters
are used for identification.
• Writing should reflect a professional who has
sensitivity to student needs, understanding of
educational options, and ethical, student centered
counseling practices.

17. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Overall Perspectives
Section 1
Readers are looking for candidates able to visualize, or
place, a particular institution against the landscape of
institutions.
Section 2
• On the second section, a clear understanding of
appropriate choices and an excellent rationale for
those choices is sought.
Overall perspectives are more important than details or memorization.Overall perspectives are more important than details or memorization.

18. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Why was becoming a CEP important to you?

19. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
What were your concerns when you applied
to be a CEP?

20. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
How were those concerns handled by
AICEP?

21. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
What tips do you have for preparing for the
CEP exam?

22. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Tips about taking the test
Prior to the exam, I reviewed
the colleges I listed via websites,
personal notes and standard
publications like the College
Handbook. I also pulled files
from my past consulting
students paying special attention
to those who were memorable
for one reason or another.
Prior to the exam, I reviewed
the colleges I listed via websites,
personal notes and standard
publications like the College
Handbook. I also pulled files
from my past consulting
students paying special attention
to those who were memorable
for one reason or another.
I set up a folder before each school visit I
make. It always includes the two page
Wintergreen data sheet, on which I write
notes of info that goes beyond what is
already printed. The folder sometimes
includes other forms. Before the CEP exam
I reviewed the folders for the colleges on
my list and researched whatever questions
that triggered.
I set up a folder before each school visit I
make. It always includes the two page
Wintergreen data sheet, on which I write
notes of info that goes beyond what is
already printed. The folder sometimes
includes other forms. Before the CEP exam
I reviewed the folders for the colleges on
my list and researched whatever questions
that triggered.

23. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
I think everyone knows
more than they think
they know!
met the criteria to sit for the
test, you have been a college
counselor long enough to
answer the questions about
the student plans with a
little bit of thought but in
the test setting.
I think everyone knows
more than they think
they know! If you have
met the criteria to sit for the
test, you have been a college
counselor long enough to
answer the questions about
the student plans with a
little bit of thought but in
the test setting.
Tips from others who have taken the test
I was speaking to a
potential client in
Singapore, and I
noticed that their high
school states
something along the
lines of "if you must
hire an independent,
at least make sure
they have their CEP.”
I was speaking to a
potential client in
Singapore, and I
noticed that their high
school states
something along the
lines of "if you must
hire an independent,
at least make sure
they have their CEP.”
We charge families money
and then tell students to
take tests. How can we
refuse to do the same?
Prepare, and take the test.
Simple.
We charge families money
and then tell students to
take tests. How can we
refuse to do the same?
Prepare, and take the test.
Simple.
Just do it.
test, reinforced my knowledge of therapeutic programs and forced me to look at details I might
have overlooked.
Just do it. I think it’s really beneficial because applying for the designation and studying for the
test, reinforced my knowledge of therapeutic programs and forced me to look at details I might
have overlooked.

24. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
After The Assessment
The Certificate!

25. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
What are the benefits you have seen now
that you are a CEP?

26. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Interested in hearing more?
Watch each entire
interview with:
• Laurie Weingarten
• Patricia Nehme
• Deb Davis Groves
• Vita Cohen
• Andrea Coupe
www.youtube channel link

27. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED
EDUCATIONAL PLANNERS
Questions and Answers

28. I would also suggest that those considering the test plan to use some of
those slightly less busy times of year to prepare for the test.
Contact
Feel free to contact the AICEP office at:
•
•
Feel free to contact the AICEP office at:
• info@aicep.org
• Use contact page on website:
http://www.aicep.org/contact