Brandnew Consulting Group participated in the 13th Annual East Meets West Education Conference, held September 12–13, 2025, in Shanghai, China.
“Brandnew Consulting Group has long been committed to guiding students in their journey to pursue limitless possibilities in global education—from building meaningful relationships with key partners and institutions worldwide to empowering school counsellors with transparent, comprehensive, and specialist support,” said Justin Wong, Lead Clinician and Director of Clinical Operations at Brandnew Group. “In today’s global landscape, collaboration and communication are more important than ever, and we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of international education.”
Analysis: Ethical Independent Counselling in China and the Need for Transparent Collaboration
At the 13th East Meets West Education Conference, Brandnew Group participated in a roundtable on “Ethical Independent Counselling in China,” hosted by Bruce Hammond, principal at Tsinglan School, and Vivian Zhu, a leader at the China Institute of College Admission Counselling. The discussion brought together independent education consultants (IECs) and school counsellors to examine perceptions, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration between the two groups.
Some school counsellors noted that there remains a degree of skepticism toward external consultants in China, driven in part by unethical practices from some actors in the field—ranging from making unrealistic promises to falsifying documents and submitting AI-generated personal statements of poor quality. These practices not only damage the reputation of the industry but also risk serious consequences for students when detected by admissions officers.
“Much of the current tension between school counsellors and consultants comes from gaps in communication,” said Justin Wong, Lead Clinician and Director of Clinical Operations at Brandnew Group. “When families conceal their work with consultants, information is lost, misunderstandings occur, and students ultimately pay the price.”
At the conference, Brandnew Group underscored its unique clinical approach to education consulting, adapted from healthcare models. Just as pediatric patients may seek second or third opinions without compromising coordination of care, Brandnew clinicians work transparently with school counsellors—viewing them as primary care providers while positioning Brandnew’s consultants as specialist physicians. This collaboration ensures that all coursework, testing, and academic decisions are shared openly, creating a fully informed academic team for each student.
Brandnew Group was also the only firm at the conference specializing exclusively in music and arts applications. By providing specialist expertise in areas where schools may lack resources, Brandnew clinicians partner with counsellors to deliver the highest standard of care and the best possible outcomes for students.
Additional Highlights from Brandnew Group at East Meets West 2025
At the conference, Brandnew Group engaged with leaders across the global education sector, including Dr. Adam Neufield, principal of Shanghai United International School; Bruce Hammond, principal of Tsinglan School; and school counsellors from institutions such as Minhang Crosspoint Academy, Minxin Hong Kong School, Hong Kong International School, and Shanghai Southwest Weiyu Secondary School.
The team also met with admissions deans and directors from leading universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, including the University of Rochester, The Ohio State University, the University of California system, Bard College, Amherst College, and the State University of New York system.
“This was a valuable opportunity to learn and connect with leaders in global education from around the world,” said Kiyoshi Mizushima, Director of Communications, Marketing, Government and Community Affairs at Brandnew Group. “We remain committed to providing the highest standard of expertise to our clients and their families, in our shared pursuit of the best outcomes.”
About Brandnew Consulting Group
Brandnew Consulting Group is a global education consulting firm dedicated to turning applications into success stories. With a rigorous focus on quality and a 100 percent success rate, Brandnew delivers expert guidance to students and families across every stage of the study abroad journey. The firm offers a comprehensive range of services, including counseling, application assistance, portfolio and audition preparation, visa guidance, scholarship assistance, and test preparation, with particular expertise in music and the arts.
Brandnew Consulting Group operates five locations worldwide and partners with a network of 197 schools to ensure students achieve the best outcomes. By combining transparent collaboration with school counsellors and specialist support for students, Brandnew consistently upholds one high standard of care across all client engagements.
Media Inquiries
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Phone: 646-719-0562
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