<p>Just wanted to mention that there has been an uptick in students reporting problems with the ACT score reporting this year. Speculation in the counseling community is that as more kids are taking the ACT they are suffering growing pains.</p>
<p>Secondly, I work with many low income students. There are many FREE test prep resources available if one looks for them. For example, the University of California offers free online test prep courses, and I believe the state of Georgia does as well. Kaplan has a free databank of tests students can access, the College Board has some free study resources, as does the Princeton Review. Most of the students I work with only need someone to point them in the right direction. If any student is motivated, there are plenty of ways to prep for the SATs without spending a fortune.</p>
<p>However, test prep isn't the only issue that divides middle and rich students from low income students in the admissions process, in my opinion. Those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to afford to pay to take these tests, send the scores, pay for application fees, and even pay for the CSS Profile out of pocket have no conception of the extra layer of stress and worry trying to pay for all of these things is for these kids. Yes, we may grumble about paying all these fees, but there are kids who simply can't come up with the money. There are fee waivers, but they are more limited than some people might believe, and in some cases (such as the CSS Profile), non-existent. Try explaining to a 17 year old that he's going to have to find a way to scrounge up money his family simply doesn't have in order to apply for FINANCIAL AID. </p>
<p>That to me, is the real outrage, and I think it is unfortunate that there isn't a larger public outcry over the inequity.</p>