Statement of Principles of Good Practice

Ethical college admission is the cornerstone of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Since its founding in 1937, when a select number of college and university professionals came together to create a Code of Ethics within the admission counseling profession, NACAC has striven to ensure principled conduct among professionals in the recruitment of students and the transition to postsecondary education. This code of conduct is known today as the Statement of Principles of Good Practice (SPGP).

Historically, NACAC added principles to the SPGP cumulatively, as ethical issues arose each year. In more recent years, however, the application process has become increasingly influenced by marketplace forces that raise new and complex ethical questions. In this rapidly changing admission landscape, it is imperative for NACAC to maintain a document that includes practices and policies reflecting these new concerns for the ethical treatment of students in the admission process. As the recognized leader in college admission counseling, NACAC willingly carries the responsibility of being the only association that protects students’ rights in the transition to postsecondary education process, through monitoring and enforcing ethical standards and practices.