<p>I've heard some people who pay for help with test prep, their essays, etc. and some who don't. Do you pay for admissions help? If so, what do you pay for? If not, why not?</p>
<p>Both my D’s did SAT Test Prep (in a class) – these days, that’s $1000-1200. Some people use individual SAT Tutors, which starts at $100-125/hour and goes up from there. Good tutors are in the $250/hour or higher. We didn’t feel we needed it. Both D’s scored in the 1450-1500 range (CR+M) and 33-34 on the ACT, so I felt we made the right decision.</p>
<p>Admissions coaches are separate. The reputable ones will be a private guidance counsellor (i.e., they will help with essays, but not write them for you) I hear others will do more than this. I’ve heard the number of $10,000 bandied around for this, but don’t really know. People claim that the application package they prepare is better (no idea whether this is true). Others claim that it avoids the fights with their kids over the process (no comment).</p>
<p>Basically, I didn’t think it was worth it – in our case, my D’s wrote their essays early, and each got substantial input from the HS College Center (those who write in Sept, can take advantage of this more than who look for assistance in November). Each D got into her first choice school, so again, I think we made the right choice.</p>
<p>My D took SAT/ACT prep classes – nothing fancy, through a local community college program. I think my S did the same, but I don’t remember. Beyond that, nothing other than buying and working through review books. We did pay for an essay consultant and it was worth every penny and then some. I am a big believer that essays are important at highly selective schools, and our essay consultant did a fabulous job of helping my kids identify topics that really expressed who they were, and keeping it all in their words but by helping them clarify the points about themselves they wished to make.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses! It sounds like there are a few categories of admissions services: test prep, private consultants, essay consultants and review/advice books. </p>
<p>How do you decide where to spend and where not to spend?</p>
<p>Ask successful applicants for recommendations.</p>
<p>First – where do you need help. If your PSAT was 230, and your SAT practice tests are consistently high, perhaps you don’t really need SAT study review. If you’re diligent, and really will do it on your own with books, you may not need help. If there’s one section where you fall down, then getting help in that section may be of use. If you know that despite your best intentions, you really will never open the book and prepare, then an SAT class will probably do you good.</p>
<p>Similarly – try making a college list. Is it easy or hard. If you can come up with a list that contains reaches, matches and safeties that you’re willing to go to, then you probably don’t need help. If you find this to be impossible to do, maybe you do.</p>
<p>Essays are somewhat harder – you need someone who is good, and who you can work with to give advice. Teachers, GCs College Counsellors all work. Parents may work, but if you find that every time there is parental criticism, a shouting/crying match or massive frustration reigns, then parents may not be the best source.</p>
<p>Second, what services are available for free. Does your HS offer an SAT prep course? Does it have College Counsellors, If so, will they review essays (do they have the time to do so), are you happy with their recommendations.</p>
<p>After you identify your needs, the free services available, and the financial resources your family is willing or able to commit, you can decide where to spend and where not to spend.</p>
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<p>Spend where you think you need it. I had no desire to have my kids “overly coached” for standardized testing – I thought the marginal benefit of a private coach over what they could accomplish on their own / with books, etc. wasn’t worth the investment. I had no desire to have a consultant help us with college selections. The essay was the one area where I felt an outside voice would be important, constructive (and save our relationship) and I was right.</p>