<p>Guys, help me, I'm really in a dilemma now.</p>
<p>A few months ago, I'm still quite optimistic about applying to a boarding school in the US. However, last week, I met this man and my plan turned upside down since then. He is the representative of ASSIST- an US organization that helps students attend US boarding school. He's been to VN for several times and each time he recruited 2 or 3 students for a full scholarship to Loomis Chafee and Taft. When I talked to him about my applying "alone" to US boarding school, suggest that I should either do that or hire his him to support me in the application process for $3000. He alsao mentioned that he had been very experienced in this field and that top boarding schools in US have known him for bringing to them outstanding students. His services would include informing me to US boarding school, giving me tips while completing the essay, and convincing the school to accept me. In addition, he stated that his services is nearly prefect, and I have asked 2 girls in my school who are going to attend Williston this September, they all hired him to help them apply. I aslo asked some students about applying to US boarding schools by myself and they all replied that the chance for me to be accepted is only 5% (not to mention fin aid).
I was really sad and disappointed 'cuz I was really determined about applying to US schools on my own.
Anyway, now, I have some questions to ask you guys:
1, Should I hire this man to help me apply? If i agree, he will give a really simple contract and I need to pay him $3000 at the time we sign it. However, in Vietnam, services like this only require us to pay a deposit when signing the contract, and the remaining will be paid when all things have been done. I'm not sure if Americans work like he does. Is it too risky to sign a contract like that?
2, What are day schools? He mentioned that if I go to day schools, the cost will be a lot lower ($30.000-$32.000) than that at boarding schools ($50.000-he said). And he will introduce me to top day schools, chances I can attend a good college will remain the same.</p>
<p>(sorry for any mistakes in this post 'cuz I wrote it in 2 mins and didn't have time to proofread)
Thanks you guys a lot!!!</p>
<p>ASSIST is a very reputable program with a wonderful staff.</p>
<p>Day schools are schools at which there is no boarding option (generally the students attend school during the day - thus the name - and then go home after the end of the school day at 5 p.m. or whenever). </p>
<p>I don't know how this would work for you given that your home is in Viet Nam. Perhaps this gentleman knows of day schools that arrange for a few select international students to stay with a local family...I don't know. You should ask him what those options would be like for you. </p>
<p>He is certainly correct that day schools can be as good as boarding schools in terms of education, the quality of your experiences/opportunities, and placement for college.</p>
<p>I'd get a second (independent) opinion before spending $3000 on a consultant. I believe there is a consultant on this board (edconsultant2 IIRC) who might be able to give an independent opinion on this matter. You might want to PM him.</p>
<p>In the previous post, I was mistaken, this guy is form American Education Group, not ASSIST</p>
<p>I'm a consultant, so I can comment on that. His rate of $3000 is fair, or even on the low side for a consultant. But I don't like the fact that he says that he will "convince" the schools to accept you. It doesn't work that way. And in fact, that is not true at all. Schools are never convinced by consultants to do something they wouldn't normally do. If we had that kind of power we could charge hundreds of thousands! But we don't.</p>
<p>Yes, it is true that most international students do work with consultants, but that is as much for handling paperwork, making school recommendations, etc. I'd say that my Asian clients are about five times as much work as Americans. We generally talk twice a week for over six months, they have questions about every step of the process and want every sheet of paper reviewed before being sent.</p>
<p>I do think that working with a consultant is especially important for international students, especially those whose parents aren't as familiar with English or with American customs and methods of doing things. But if the $3000 is a stretch for you, then you can try to find your own way the best you can.</p>
<p>I think I wrote before in telling you that the odds for citizens of Asian countries are very low. I don't mean to discourage you, but if you are unable to interview on campus it will be very difficult for you to get accepted. The interview is one of the most important factors, and for international students, a personal visit shows the school you are seriously interested. I have never heard of an Asian student being accepted without visiting. I suppose it may have happened and someone might post that it is possible. But I don't even work with families who are unable to visit campus since I feel that I would be taking their money and doing all that work for nothing. I also don't work with international families who need financial aid, since many schools only take full-pay international kids, so that lowers the odds as well. The best bet if you are international and need some financial aid is to join a program like ASSIST. If you can get into that, that would be good and no need for a consultant.</p>
<p>good luck</p>
<p>Thanks, edconsultant22 (I got your ID close in the previous post) for chiming in.</p>
<p>Thanks edconsultant22 and goalie dad for giving me such good advice.
Anyway, I decided to apply by myself, along with asking experiences form Vietnamese students who have applied successfully angd you guys here ( of course).</p>
<p>By the end of October, Taft, Loomis and Berkshire school are coming to VN to give 1 full scholarship to qualified student (for each school), and the interview is really important. All of the interviewers will be in the same room while interviewing. Could you give me some tips on interview (from your real experiences)? (what to wear, interview attitude, what questions to ask and what questions might be asked? should I have a hand shake with them at the end and beginning of the interview, should I introduce myself first or let them ask me?- gosh, I'm so confused now, I've never been to a really "serious" interview like this, and it's pretty intense!!!)</p>
<p>Lastly, the SSAT will be available in Vn in October, however, there are no materials to prep for this test here in VN. Would it be possible that I continue to prep for the SAT and can score well on the SSAT ( I need to pass this in order to get to the interview round)?</p>
<p>gal<em>from</em>VN</p>
<p>I recommend searching for "interview" using the search function. You'll find a lot of great information and suggestions as this subject has come up before.</p>
<p>I also suggest doing some mock or practice interviews with family friends, teachers. etc. to get you more comfortable with the concept.</p>
<p>And, yes, do shake hands at the beginning and end of the interview. I would wear nice tailored clothes, preferably a blouse and skirt or dressier pants - no jeans!</p>
<p>I was just informed that Taft, Loomis and Berkshire are coming to Vietnam in the beginning of October to recruit students ( about 2 weeks ahead!).
I have done some research on the Internet about these schools; however, it will be better if I hear the information about the schools from someone who knows these schools well. Can
anyone who have been to these schools or lives near them tell me something about them?</p>
<p>Also, I will have to attend a scholarship interview, can anyone give me some advice or personal experiences?</p>