Is SAT Prep worth it? Honest opinion based on these particulars please...

[Anonymous]

Yes!!!! It’s like currency. The higher the score tge more money second and third tier schools will throw at you. This is solely because these scores are reported to USNWR so every point count. Case in point . DS scored on act a 32 without prep. On his own initiative, he prepped with a tutor and scored a 34. He thought he could do better and went back and prepped with same tutor and got a 36. The moment he hit a 34, small SLACs you’ve probably never heard of called (yes, I picked up the calls -he was in high school at the time) saying “ because your son got a 34 we can offer him the “president’s” special scholarship of $30k a year”. When I pointed out that he had subsequently retaken the ACT and got a 36 there was an audible rustle of papers and the AO said “ OK then. We can offer a university honors scholarship of $36k a year”. Every point counts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes!!!! It’s like currency. The higher the score tge more money second and third tier schools will throw at you. This is solely because these scores are reported to USNWR so every point count. Case in point . DS scored on act a 32 without prep. On his own initiative, he prepped with a tutor and scored a 34. He thought he could do better and went back and prepped with same tutor and got a 36. The moment he hit a 34, small SLACs you’ve probably never heard of called (yes, I picked up the calls -he was in high school at the time) saying “ because your son got a 34 we can offer him the “president’s” special scholarship of $30k a year”. When I pointed out that he had subsequently retaken the ACT and got a 36 there was an audible rustle of papers and the AO said “ OK then. We can offer a university honors scholarship of $36k a year”. Every point counts.

I second this. My DC did about ten hours of prep with a tutor and raised his 31 to a 34. He got merit aid from every school he was accepted to & it was remarkably consistent — about $35k a year from from the private universities. For the schools he was applying to, he might have gotten in with the 31, but the 34 made it a slam dunk and is going to save us $140k that he can apply toward graduate school.

FWIW, my DC was similar to OP’s — very high English scores, lower math & science. The tutors told us that it’s easier to improve when the score is unbalanced, because you just need to focus on one area. Also, it’s easier to improve math, as there are more “tricks” and patterns to watch for, while it’s harder to teach reading comprehension in a few hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!!!! It’s like currency. The higher the score tge more money second and third tier schools will throw at you. This is solely because these scores are reported to USNWR so every point count. Case in point . DS scored on act a 32 without prep. On his own initiative, he prepped with a tutor and scored a 34. He thought he could do better and went back and prepped with same tutor and got a 36. The moment he hit a 34, small SLACs you’ve probably never heard of called (yes, I picked up the calls -he was in high school at the time) saying “ because your son got a 34 we can offer him the “president’s” special scholarship of $30k a year”. When I pointed out that he had subsequently retaken the ACT and got a 36 there was an audible rustle of papers and the AO said “ OK then. We can offer a university honors scholarship of $36k a year”. Every point counts.

I second this. My DC did about ten hours of prep with a tutor and raised his 31 to a 34. He got merit aid from every school he was accepted to & it was remarkably consistent — about $35k a year from from the private universities. For the schools he was applying to, he might have gotten in with the 31, but the 34 made it a slam dunk and is going to save us $140k that he can apply toward graduate school.

FWIW, my DC was similar to OP’s — very high English scores, lower math & science. The tutors told us that it’s easier to improve when the score is unbalanced, because you just need to focus on one area. Also, it’s easier to improve math, as there are more “tricks” and patterns to watch for, while it’s harder to teach reading comprehension in a few hours.

Ok - this was compelling. Now - the next question - what tutors do "a few hours" of SAT prep one-on-one vs.s taking an entire class - any recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes!!!! It’s like currency. The higher the score tge more money second and third tier schools will throw at you. This is solely because these scores are reported to USNWR so every point count. Case in point . DS scored on act a 32 without prep. On his own initiative, he prepped with a tutor and scored a 34. He thought he could do better and went back and prepped with same tutor and got a 36. The moment he hit a 34, small SLACs you’ve probably never heard of called (yes, I picked up the calls -he was in high school at the time) saying “ because your son got a 34 we can offer him the “president’s” special scholarship of $30k a year”. When I pointed out that he had subsequently retaken the ACT and got a 36 there was an audible rustle of papers and the AO said “ OK then. We can offer a university honors scholarship of $36k a year”. Every point counts.

Why would you value 36k offer from “small SLACs you’ve probably never heard of” if you kid got ACT 36

[Anonymous]

My kid who got a 1450 at first got worse with Khan prep--started 2nd guessing what they knew etc. It's hard to improve when starting at a high point unless it's just simply not getting some math operation--especially on the verbal side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No not worth it if they’re not willing to even put the tiny bit if effort khan academy requires I wouldn’t spend money on something else.

This is the very opposite of our experience. DC wouldn’t put in the effort for Khan. Did a weekend class for 10 weeks. Score went from 1150 to 1390. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Are schools still offering these kinds of merits with test optional?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No not worth it if they’re not willing to even put the tiny bit if effort khan academy requires I wouldn’t spend money on something else.

This is the very opposite of our experience. DC wouldn’t put in the effort for Khan. Did a weekend class for 10 weeks. Score went from 1150 to 1390. YMMV.

What weekend class was it? My DC could handle a weekend class and has similar first score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!!!! It’s like currency. The higher the score tge more money second and third tier schools will throw at you. This is solely because these scores are reported to USNWR so every point count. Case in point . DS scored on act a 32 without prep. On his own initiative, he prepped with a tutor and scored a 34. He thought he could do better and went back and prepped with same tutor and got a 36. The moment he hit a 34, small SLACs you’ve probably never heard of called (yes, I picked up the calls -he was in high school at the time) saying “ because your son got a 34 we can offer him the “president’s” special scholarship of $30k a year”. When I pointed out that he had subsequently retaken the ACT and got a 36 there was an audible rustle of papers and the AO said “ OK then. We can offer a university honors scholarship of $36k a year”. Every point counts.

Why would you value 36k offer from “small SLACs you’ve probably never heard of” if you kid got ACT 36

I never said he took the offer. But if your kid really wants a Slac and parents can’t afford $81k a year by all means sell the score to the highest bidder!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!!!! It’s like currency. The higher the score tge more money second and third tier schools will throw at you. This is solely because these scores are reported to USNWR so every point count. Case in point . DS scored on act a 32 without prep. On his own initiative, he prepped with a tutor and scored a 34. He thought he could do better and went back and prepped with same tutor and got a 36. The moment he hit a 34, small SLACs you’ve probably never heard of called (yes, I picked up the calls -he was in high school at the time) saying “ because your son got a 34 we can offer him the “president’s” special scholarship of $30k a year”. When I pointed out that he had subsequently retaken the ACT and got a 36 there was an audible rustle of papers and the AO said “ OK then. We can offer a university honors scholarship of $36k a year”. Every point counts.

I second this. My DC did about ten hours of prep with a tutor and raised his 31 to a 34. He got merit aid from every school he was accepted to & it was remarkably consistent — about $35k a year from from the private universities. For the schools he was applying to, he might have gotten in with the 31, but the 34 made it a slam dunk and is going to save us $140k that he can apply toward graduate school.

FWIW, my DC was similar to OP’s — very high English scores, lower math & science. The tutors told us that it’s easier to improve when the score is unbalanced, because you just need to focus on one area. Also, it’s easier to improve math, as there are more “tricks” and patterns to watch for, while it’s harder to teach reading comprehension in a few hours.

Ok - this was compelling. Now - the next question - what tutors do "a few hours" of SAT prep one-on-one vs.s taking an entire class - any recommendations?

OP, I’m the dad with the kid who wanted the 36act. We used Mary Lou Sullivan tutors in McLean for both children. She became MLS tutors. I just checked and don’t see her in Yelp anymore but Elite tutors across the street says “16 years experience” (and has one good 5 star rating) so she may have sold it. She was hourly, one on one. Worth every penny. Start a new thread asking for a proven hourly prep tutor near your home or school