Happy 529 (College Savings Day)!
Today’s May 29, 5/29, or 529 Day – Happy College Savings Account Day! Or not? If the thought of saving for college makes you anything BUT happy, read on. While I can’t tell you how to make more money, I can suggest how to spend it wisely. Pick the right ACT / SAT tutor or college application coach – the first time.
The Difference the Right SAT Tutor Can Make
My client Linda unfortunately learned this lesson the hard way. She wrote in a Google review for Crimson Coaching: “Though Dr. P. had been recommended to me last fall, another (less expensive) tutor worked with my son on ACT prep this spring instead. Unfortunately, my son’s scores and skills stagnated during that time. So, I reached out to Dr. P. this summer in the hopes that she could do something to help raise my son’s ACT scores. Because she charges a bit more than our previous tutor, we began with just a 10-hour package. We wound up buying two more. Not only did Dr. P. teach my son the best techniques to approach algebra and geometry that enabled him to raise his ACT score by 5 points, with improvement in every section. She gave him the confidence that he needed to believe that he could do it. Through her patient encouragement and nurturing structure, Dr. P. showed him that he had the skills and intelligence to perform well. I’m so thankful we found her — and sorry we didn’t use her sooner. I recommend Dr. P. and Crimson Coaching to any family whose child needs to take a test, improve skills, and learn content.
I’m happy to report that Linda’s son earned early admission to his first-choice college just weeks after earning those ACT scores.
Photo by @omarlopez1 on Unsplash (This is not Linda’s son; it is a stock photo.)
The Right College Application Coach Can Mean BIG ROI
Another mom who’d been reticent to invest $2000 in a 12-hour college application essay coach ing package discovered what “Return On Investment” really means when her son was offered a $60,000 scholarship each year for four years at a liberal arts school in Philadelphia. $2000 into $240,000 in four years. What other fund earns 12,000% in four years?
Photo by @micheile on Unsplash
So, what are my top three tips for hiring the right SAT tutor or college application coach to make sure that YOUR money’s well spent?
1. Experience matters.
Ask the SAT tutor or college application coach how many students she’s taught in the subject matter that your child needs tutoring in. Then ask what the SAT tutor ‘s results were. If SAT / ACT scores don’t go up by an average of 15%, look for someone else. If the list of colleges that she’s gotten students into don’t look like those your child wants to attend, search elsewhere.
2. References count.
Don’t be shy about asking to speak to past clients. If the SAT tutor or college application coach is worth his salt, he should have a long list of parents and students who would be happy to speak with you.
3. Writing (and remediation) takes time.
If your child’s on grade level in math and reading, studying for the SAT or ACT shouldn’t take more than 15 to 20 hours (of private tutoring). If, however, she’s always struggled with either or both subjects, the SAT tutor will need to teach her not just the “tricks” of doing well on the test, but also the content that she didn’t pick up during the past year or two (or ten). A great SAT tutor will be able to do that – but don’t expect it to be quick (or cheap).
Likewise, personal statements are unlike any other type of writing that your teen will do in school. Even the best analytical writers sometimes struggle with the type of introspection that colleges require on the Common App. While you can ask a college application coach for an estimate on how long it might take to help your child, realize that that number may change based on your teen’s aptitude, ability, or writer’s block. An experienced college application coach will also tell you this. If they don’t (and promise to usher your kid from brainstorming through polished essay in a definite number of hours), it’s possible you’re leaving money on the table in the form of an “essay” that is still a rough draft.
Got any more 529 savings tips to share with other parents? Post them in the comments below!
Until next time, Happy Saving!