<p>yes please i really need to know if its all too good to be true.</p>
<p>I just got a letter in the mail today and googled CAA to make sure it was legit. Now that I've read this forum I'm going to stay far away from them! I also think Gillybean from #58 must be right. I received the Student Ambassadors letter earlier in the year, although I never got the Who's Who notice. There has to be some connection there.</p>
<p>My son brought this letter to my attention from the CAA. I assumed it was a letter from his school and thought it was something that we needed to attend. I pulled up the website and put in our reservation number and got us all signed up. We went to the hotel where we were directed and filled out the paperwork. There were only foour other families that attended which I thought was odd. Then a speaker gave a speech through a power point program which lasted approximatley 45 minuites. Then they called each individual family up (they also purposley put the child in between the two of you) and then they go over the paperwork that your child filled out when we first got there. They then get your child all psyched up and tell him all his wonderful qualities and then give there sales pitch for there wonderful program and there wonderful "counslers" and all the help they will receive throughout there high school years and how they will receive a secret code to get access to there own personal web site and so on and so on!! Well red flags were going off all over with me...I wasn't quite sure why...but they were...and I was at first impressed with thinking the school had actually hired a great company to help kids with all there issues with college...UNTIL SHE THREW THE KICKER OUT.....THIS PROGRAM WAS A COST OF $1995!! She then told us that this was a one time offer and had to be paid today...and if we would like they could break up the cost with a financed program. I then told her (thinking as a mother...my goodness what is going on here...and what kind of a program has the school sent us to...and what kind of company gives a 45 min presentation and then wants $1995 of our money just like that!!) So ultimatley I told her that we needed time to digest all of this and if that wasn't sufficient then so be it. She then told us that she is directed to tell us parents that they need to do this for our children and that she has to have the money upfront and today however she would be willing to give us her personal e-mail address and her personal phone number and we could contact her personally if we would choose to do so. BOOM... interview was over and WE WERE ASKED TO LEAVE!!
After getting back out to the care I then asked my son...)who by the way was quite dissapointed at our decison because they had him so psyhed up) I said who gave you this information to attend this presentation...IT WAS THEN I FOUND IT THAT IT HAD COME IN THE MAIL AND HAD NOTHING TO EVEN DO WITH THE SCHOOL!!!
I then today sat down and googled in there name and read all the discussion on here regarding this company....I THEN WENT TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREU AND PULLED UP THERE INFORMATION. The BBB will not accredidate this company due to the many complaints that have not been resolved.In one year they have had had 8 complaints that have not been resolved. They also give lots of good reccomendations for FREE literature for students to write to get help. They also reported that the $1995 was only upfront money and that is was reported that if you do sign up then the students have to pay even more money to get "LISTS" to make calls or write to for financial aid or scholorships. They also talked aboout how students can also get all the help they need for college utilizing the schools Guidance counslers or the Admissions Counslers throough colleges of there choice.
So in conclusion to this little adventure we have went through...first of all if your children receive one of these letters...question ...WHERE DID THEY GET THE LETTER....AND SAVE YOUR MONEY...TO PUT DOWN FOR COLLEGE....UTILIZE THE GUIDANCE COUNSLERS AND ADMISSIONS COUNSLERS THROUGH THE COLLEGES!!</p>
<p>thank you so much everyone that posted eventhough all of these are old and it would have done more help to read before!!! my parents and I went to the workshop they decided to pay eventhough i thought it sounded pretty weird and i got a bad vibe from the lady(it was really sketchy why would they ask to pay ont the spot?) well my parents signed up for the financial program and now after showing them this they want out...uhm does anyone know if there's a cancellation fee or if you can cancel? we called and of course no pick, so we sent the cancellation form...you think it'll work? they can't just start taking money every month, right?</p>
<p>Yeah, I got this letter too and I went to the workshop. It was pretty close and I thought it might be useful. It wasn't really. We were all in this conference room at a hotel--a lot of minority groups--and they played some videos about a bunch of top schools. I forget the name of them but they're pretty good videos; you can find them on youtube.
Anyway they talked about financing your education and things like that. I guess it actually was kind of useful. But then at the end they called you up one by one to talk about signing up for their lame program which was a lot of money and totally not worth it IMO. She tried to say that I could send in my essay to these professionals in Texas and we'd have phone conversations about my applications and things like that, but it seemed silly to have a complete stranger try to gauge whether or not I was expressing who I was in my essay. Idk. Just things like that. </p>
<p>So it's not really a scam, but it's not worth it at all.</p>
<p>We just got this letter in the mail too. NO, do not bother with that program. Money from financial aid assistance or programs flows only one way and that is to the student. The best resource I've been able to find is Christopher Penn of Student Loan Network Student</a> Loans for College from the Student Loan Network walks you through scholarships and admissions. He has a helpful PDF ebook (or follow the links further down the page if you don't want to download anything): Free</a> Scholarship Guide and eBook for College Scholarships and Grants The Student Loan website does use advertising to support it, but all of the information is free and there is a lot of info. I am helping my son and his friends start a college support group with all that we've learned.</p>
<p>Best wishes to other college bound students.</p>
<p>This scenario is EXACTLY like the one our daughters went through for modeling/acting/singing talent scouts. It started with a mall 'interview' of dozens of potential kid stars. We went to the presentation, a 45 min. Powerpoint, got invited to the office, had the spiel, got the fee detail ($4000? for starters, plus numerous thousands for optional add-ons, special training, etc.), and had to sign immediately. Yes, we had to think about it, and got the lady's personal phone number (no surprise, it's part of the process!). Does the training work? Would they become stars? We didn't try. We refuse to be bullied by the kids AND the salesman to shell out $x000 on-the-spot. Anything legit won't ask for that.</p>
<p>Yesterday, I went to a College Admissions Assistance seminar. For the cost of $2000, people help you through step by step to get to college and when you get accepted, to get as much merit aid money from the college you was to go to. They guarantee that everything you pay to be in the program will be returned when you get your merit aid. They also show what to put on your free application for federal student aid form. They also edit your Admissions Essay to make it "perfect" and this edited Admissions Essay can make you "stand out." The thing that stood out most to me is that they can help you get as much merit aid as possible. I'm seriously considering this. Please tell me if this is a good program or not. They guarantee a lot of merit aid and acceptance into the colleges you want for 2000 dollars (which is A LOT of money!) Thanks in advance and check out their website:
College</a> Admissions Assistance :: Home Page</p>
<p>It would be great if one person that doesn't work for the program told me that it really works.</p>
<p>What kind of comment is than one from asfh09 about the minority groups? my dear friend, if I were you I would spend the 2000 tomake sure I got into college and got rid of your paradigms.
On the other hand, i have not seen a single comment from someone who has actually joined this CAA. It may be a good thing. Will keep on searching for more down to earth opinions.</p>
<p>This is a useful response - No wonder - this guy has been to college, contrary to most of the commentantors here.</p>
<p>Dear Yankee Belle, I think your comments is by far the best and most accurate. Congrats.</p>
<p>My daughter & I just went to the workshop. Didn’t pay any money, came home and found this website. Was wondering if you still had your log in information and if you were still willing to pass it along. My email address is <a href="mailto:laney_1966■■■■■■.com">laney_1966■■■■■■.com</a></p>
<p>Just got the letter too. When I called and asked for Brenda Watkins - the person who signed the letter - they refused to let me talk to her so they transferred me to “Michelle” who said she would be handling my call not Brenda since Brenda doesn’t handle reservations so I told her that I was not calling for a reservation and wanted to speak to Brenda. Michelle hung up on me!! Since when does a company refuse to let you talk to the person who wrote you a letter unless that person doesn’t exist!! A big clue is that they want both parents to attend - time share, time share!!</p>
<p>it’s not a scam but i think its a little bit of a waste of money
if you don’t know anything about college, they will help you come up with a list and narrow it down
they’ll help you look for scholarships
they’ll edit your essays if you send them in
they’ll look over your financial aid stuff if you send it in
basically, this is all stuff that you can do on your own, but if you think you need help with it, then pay the $2000. if you sign up really early, like freshman year, its probably worth it.</p>
<p>We attended their workshop and signed up my 10th grade daughter several months ago. Anyone who says anything bad about this program either isn’t in it or isn’t using it. The website is useful with a lot of information. The SAT prep is better than the classes offered by my daughter’s school. They use assesments to gather information and then help you figure out what the results mean.</p>
<p>The coaches – that is what they call their councellors-- are responsive and very knowledgable. They either answer my questions on the spot or get back to me very quickly. They have even refered me to University admissions offices to validate the answers they gave me. </p>
<p>My daughter’s grades are good, but not perfect, and I make a good living. CAA has shown financial aid options I would never have found on my own. I have also tried some of the “free” financial aid help from other sources. Well, there is no such thing as “free”. They all get money from somewhere and usually try to steer me to some program that pays them.</p>
<p>Anyway, CAA is a great resource. We would be lost without it. We have gotten so much more support and information from CAA than from my daughter’s school councellors. Check them out at [College</a> Admissions Assistance :: Home Page](<a href=“http://www.caaconnect.com%5DCollege”>http://www.caaconnect.com).</p>
<p>My daughter received the CAA letter, also - with her name misspelled. I got curious about the company, Googled it and found this place. Very interesting conversation. Some comments:</p>
<p>1 - I suspect CAA is legit. If someone’s been helped and they believe they got their money’s worth, then that’s fine. Someone brought up that they believe CAA is an offshoot of College Partners - which they may be. I’m checking my sources to see if there is a connection. </p>
<p>2 - Several people have indicated that all of the information is available for free and there is no need to get help in the college admissions and funding process. To those I ask simply how much funding did they get on their own and what are their results? I have been a college counselor for almost 20 years. I have been employed by private and public schools to provide my services, and have private clients. </p>
<p>It is true that most of the information people need about college admissions is free and available on the internet. I also will point out that all the information needed to perform a heart bypass, build a house, and submit an appeal to the Supreme Court is also free and available online, but I would recommend professional help before proceeding.</p>
<p>Although the information if free and available, the volume of information and the time required to master it is prohibitive. It takes several years to get one’s arms around the information. Some people can navigate it alone, but the vast majority of students and their parents cannot. A straight A student with 700 component SAT scores who doesn’t know how to navigate the system will not get as much funding as a solid B+ student who know how to dot the “i’s” and cross the “t’s.” </p>
<p>Most school counselors don’t know, don’t have time, or don’t care. There is a handful out there, but the majority of them can only give some generic advice to the mass of students he/she needs to help. And, by the way, school counselors are not necessarily “college” counselors. I can give you horror story after horror story where school counselors failed prime, competitive students. This is why I am often sought out to help. </p>
<p>Now, I charge a little bit more than CAA. I do, however, object to their high pressure sales - one time only - bit. There are a lot of scam artists out there and it gives legitimate people like me a bad name. </p>
<p>Also, in my other life, I am the Dean of a College Prep School with 18 satellite schools, and every one of my seniors last year got a scholarship to college. I gave them a lot of help. I’ll put my stats up against any other school. </p>
<p>So, what’s the reality? </p>
<p>1 - Some people can navigate the admissions maze on their own - a very small minority. </p>
<p>2 - The rest on us mere mortals could use some professional help. </p>
<p>3 - There are a lot of scam artists out there who prey upon people’s ignorance and fear.</p>
<p>By the way, I went to college 22 years; I have 2 doctorates, and only paid for ONE semester, so I know how to do this. I was a college professor for 16 years.</p>
<p>I just returned from Boston where I helped my wife transfer (yes, transfer) into Harvard (yes, THAT Harvard) to finish her last two years of her bachelors - on scholarship!</p>
<p>You know, give me a community college student and give me a 3.5 or higher, and join PTK, I can just about guarantee I can do the same for you.</p>
<p>Now, the information on how to do that is free and available on line. How many of you “experts” on this board knew that this is possible and how many of you know how to do this? </p>
<p>That’s why people need legit college consulting.</p>
<p>Dr. B.</p>
<p>… the CAA sales technique should send any thoughtful adult running in the opposite direction. No business proposition that is confident of its own inherent value operates this way – demanding a very large sum all of a sudden, on the spot, no second chances. And the subtle pressure they put on parents by selling to your kid, then encouraging you to equate a turndown with dashing your child’s dreams, is downright insidious.</p>
<p>Whoever, earlier in this thread, equated CAA with the Famous Child Models School kinds of scams has it exactly right. The parent with the credit card is being manipulated. Those who pay up are loath to admit that, of course, so they’ll look for ways to justify the move. Just like no motorist wants to admit they bought a lemon. </p>
<p>Perhaps some people derive some value from CAA but the mysteriousness of the signup website, [College</a> Admission Assistance](<a href=“http://www.caaworkshop.com%5DCollege”>http://www.caaworkshop.com), and the high-pressure sales tactics ought to set off every alarm bell on your dashboard. Does State Farm Insurance force you to buy their policy right here, right now, or regret it forever? Does American Express sell charge cards this way? No and no. This is how time-shares, “buying club” memberships, and other ill-advised purchases get sold. If these people were on the level you could buy their services off the website anytime.</p>
<p>Hi - I read your comments about CAA. I attended the conference a conference by CAA yesterday. You’re right, the cost is $1995, if paid right away. Please send me your login ID and I will take a ride at this site and see whts it all about. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Hi!</p>
<p>I just registered for the CAA Workshop and now I am about to cancel it.
Can you send me your login info, so I can see what they are really about?
My daughter graduates from high school in a couple years and I am trying to work things out as quickly and as soon as possible.
Thanks much!
TunTunTun</p>
<p>I wish I could edit my first post as that’s the only one people apparently read.</p>
<p>I NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO MY ACCOUNT. STOP EMAILING MEEEEE!!</p>
<p>CAA is not a scam, but it’s not worth ~$2000. Please don’t claim that it’s worth it because it’s not. If you can’t “navigate” the “college admission maze” maybe you shouldn’t go to college. You fill out an application. It’s not rocket science. If you can’t handle it by yourself, you have a high school guidance councilor. Make her earn her pay. Use the internet. PLEASE. And if you still can’t figure it out, then maybe you should spend $2000 for a service. Or better yet, give me $2000. I’ll help you fill out a form too. Hell, I’ll do it for $1500!</p>