Elizabeth West spent her first professional decade in college admissions. As she navigated her career pathway from admissions counselor to Associate Director to Director of Admissions, she realized how much joy she found in this line of work.
“I couldn’t imagine doing anything else for my career,” West says.
In need of more flexibility as a parent of young children, she transitioned into the classroom. Teaching English at Central Piedmont Community College allowed her to keep helping students transfer to four-year institutions; however, she missed helping them more directly through the transfer process. With her children now older, West realized it was time to combine her focus, expertise, and enthusiasm and start her own college admissions coaching company, EWC Consulting.
Q: Tell us about taking the leap to start your own small business and what that experience has been like (lows and highs!)
A. I started my business because I kept hearing my friends talk about admissions myths as fact. I would keep saying to myself, “That’s not right,” and I found that people really needed assistance. In 2019, I opened EWC College Consulting and met with students throughout the pandemic. It was my side hustle until November 2022, when I decided to go full time. Let’s just say that my boss these days is one heck of a task master! Just kidding… I love what I do, and it is my passion.
Q: Who has supported you most with the launch of EWC?
A. I hired a business coach, HR coach, and podcast producer. They transitioned me into hiring a team of independent contractors. I am also very active with the Union Chamber and WIN (Women In Networking.) I am grateful for all of the support I have received from family, friends, and business besties.
Q: Early admission application dates are coming up! What should students do now?
A. Start writing those essays! I hear about students delaying that process, and it makes me sad for them. They are going to have to do a lot of work between now and application time. Let EWC staff help with this process to finish them quicker and stronger with the assistance of experts.
Q: Your son, a thriving teen, has autism. What advice do you have for someone who may be newer to the experience of raising a child who lives with autism?
A. Like Mr. Rogers always said, “Look for the helpers.” I found such an amazing tribe of people from ABC Education Services – Language Stimulation School, fellow parents, TEACCH through UNC Chapel Hill, and the Autism Society of North Carolina. There are so many wonderful resources and almost too many to acknowledge. It is a process, but it is one to start early. As soon as you suspect a learning challenge or speech delay, consult these wonderful supporters.
Q: How is the college admissions process different for a student who is differently-abled or not neurotypical? Any tips for these candidates and their parents? Any recommended resources?
A. I have students who are on the autism spectrum, as well as both of my children, so I see these students as having a difficult time envisioning themselves at college. What does college mean to them? It’s very hard for them to visualize because autistic teens tend to be very literal. I decided to take my son on a college tour when he first started high school. I wanted to show him what college looked like, have him meet real students, and get a full immersion of what it means to go to college. Then, it made sense to him why he needs to do well in school. He could see it.
Q: When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? And how do you make sure you’re not always working, a common pitfall of owning your own business?
A. You said it! I try to make sure I’m not always working, and when I’m not, I love spending time with my family and friends. We love to travel and went to Alaska this summer. I also am an avid reader but have found very little time to read lately. I need to rediscover some books after application deadlines pass!
