Kaplan SSAT Private Tutoring

[KCI]

Anyone have any experience with Kaplan SSAT Private Tutoring? Our son just called and told us our granddaughter will be using this service this summer to prepare for private highschool admission. We will pay the $2250. for her to go. Is the private tutoring better than classroom experience with other students? Is it worth the $$. Thanks for any info you can provide. Linda

 

[bogey21]

All this tutoring stuff (and spending over $2,000 for it) makes me wonder. Back when I was in school the school didn't prep us and we didn't pay to prep for the SST. We just showed up and let the chips fall. It was simple. Those of us who were smart enough to get into good schools did, and those of us who weren't, didn't.

George

PS When my Son had to take exams to see if certain Private High Schools would accept him, we didn't do anything extra to prepare him. He didn't get accepted into one of the schools he wanted and it was probably for the best. If tutoring had gotten him over the hump, I think he may have been overwhelmed by the workload and don't think he could have kept up with it.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I went to a seminar hosted by Kaplan for SAT and ACT preparation and they did not recommend the private tutoring route.

First they said that the student should do the regular Classroom prep class and then, take the exam. Then, if the student didn't do well on the exam to consider the private route. It might be different for admissions for a high school as I don't know how many chances you have to take the exam.

Personally, if my child need tutoring to get into a high school then, I would think they would need tutoring throughout high school and that this school might not be a good fit academically. But I'm not sure how stiff the competition is where your granddaughter lives. I would not pay it but I have several good public school options in my neighborhood.

Just to give a guide, I pay $50 an hour for a pre-Calculus tutor.

 

[KCI]

My granddaughter is very bright, does exceptionally well in her Montessori school and in all her extra curricular endeavors. However, her mother wants her to go to a very exclusive and expensive school in MA and her mother feels that private tutoring will be the way to ensure she is accepted. What can a grandma do?

 

[ciscogizmo1]

My granddaughter is very bright, does exceptionally well in her Montessori school and in all her extra curricular endeavors. However, her mother wants her to go to a very exclusive and expensive school in MA and her mother feels that private tutoring will be the way to ensure she is accepted. What can a grandma do?

Not much... I'm assuming since it is an elite school tutoring is probably required. Are you paying for it?

We really don't have that type of situation here where I live. Basically, if you have the "money" you can go any where. I don't think the competition is as stiff especially since the economy is bad right now.

 

[BocaBum99]

My granddaughter is very bright, does exceptionally well in her Montessori school and in all her extra curricular endeavors. However, her mother wants her to go to a very exclusive and expensive school in MA and her mother feels that private tutoring will be the way to ensure she is accepted. What can a grandma do?

bright is relative to the population. If your granddaughter wants to go to an elite boarding school in the North East, then she should take SSAT prep unless she is already scoring in the 95%+ on all 3 tests.

These schools are ultra competitive. They give you a solid path to Ivy league. But, it may not buy them much in the long run. Kids who are going to do well will do well wherever they go. It just may take them longer.

 

[PStreet1]

Having done some tutoring for the SAT, and having had talks with Kaplan about doing it for them, I really think the best route to success--PROVIDED THE STUDENT IS DISCIPLINED AND SELF-MOTIVATED--is the rigorous use of a computer program. If the student won't devote 30 minutes-60 minutes nearly every day to it, though, it won't do any good.

It's much more intense, and it's totally self-paced so what she doesn't need, she doesn't waste time on. It's easy to review; it's easy to go over the tips--everything about it is ideal, but only for the self-motivated and disciplined.

 

[vacationhopeful]

And WHO is going to PAY for the very exclusive and expensive PRIVATE high school? And all the extras that a school like that requires (either implied or peer pressured)?

Oh, I understand there many be "financial aid" or "needed based" assistance ... but it doesn't include the right summer camps, dance classes, weekend activities plus add in social items, like a European tour, Carribean in the winter break, indoor tennis etc.

And you ask, "What can a Grandma do?" Check the checkbook at the YOUR door. Decide FIRST where YOUR dollar limit on contributing to this (escalating train wreck, IMHO) is.

I prefer spend quality time with the next generation --- as one-on-one time is PRICELESS.

 

[KCI]

Our son and his wife will be paying the $47,000 per year tuition...we have not offered and will not offer to pay those costs.
We agree it is an out of control situation but it's their life and as long as they feel they can afford it, it's their choice. We are concerned that they may be biting off more than they can afford and have suggested same to son and he, too, has reservations. BUT wife is the one who makes the most $$ and what she wants, she gets...end of story.

 

[BocaBum99]

Our son and his wife will be paying the $47,000 per year tuition...we have not offered and will not offer to pay those costs.
We agree it is an out of control situation but it's their life and as long as they feel they can afford it, it's their choice. We are concerned that they may be biting off more than they can afford and have suggested same to son and he, too, has reservations. BUT wife is the one who makes the most $$ and what she wants, she gets...end of story.

I send my kids to private school and I would NEVER pay $47,000 for high school tuition. Sorry, but nobody really does anything that important in high school. Usually, these tuitions include a trip somewhere that costs between $5-10k.

By the way, Harvard College tuition is only $37,576. Tell me how much more education your grand daughter is going to get in a top High School that warrants a price tag more than the world renowned Harvard College?

 

[DazedandConfused]

Anyone have any experience with Kaplan SSAT Private Tutoring? Our son just called and told us our granddaughter will be using this service this summer to prepare for private highschool admission. We will pay the $2250. for her to go. Is the private tutoring better than classroom experience with other students? Is it worth the $$. Thanks for any info you can provide. Linda

For the SSAT, if you want the best possible scores, you need to prepare for that test and that is an acceptable rate for this type of training.

Walking into this test blind will assure a below potential score.

All this tutoring stuff (and spending over $2,000 for it) makes me wonder. Back when I was in school the school didn't prep us and we didn't pay to prep for the SST. We just showed up and let the chips fall. It was simple. Those of us who were smart enough to get into good schools did, and those of us who weren't, didn't.

George

PS When my Son had to take exams to see if certain Private High Schools would accept him, we didn't do anything extra to prepare him. He didn't get accepted into one of the schools he wanted and it was probably for the best. If tutoring had gotten him over the hump, I think he may have been overwhelmed by the workload and don't think he could have kept up with it.

Your advice is appropriate for 1970 or 1980, but not 2013. No offense, but it is much more competitive now to get into University.

Also, the OP is asking about the SSAT (high school entrance) not the SAT (College admission).

With some of the acceptance rates in the single digit or low double digits, every opportunity must be taken.

Our son and his wife will be paying the $47,000 per year tuition...we have not offered and will not offer to pay those costs.
We agree it is an out of control situation but it's their life and as long as they feel they can afford it, it's their choice. We are concerned that they may be biting off more than they can afford and have suggested same to son and he, too, has reservations. BUT wife is the one who makes the most $$ and what she wants, she gets...end of story.

The schools you are looking at probably also include boarding, meals, books, etc. This may seem like an outrageous price, but that is the going rate for the elite prep schools.

You are probably looking at Phillips Exeter Academy or Andover or a similar school. If so, you better bet that anyone applying to those programs will be preparing for the SSAT to score as high as possible.

Good luck...you will need it

 

[spirits]

That was then, is this now

Funny, I work in a high school and the most motivated students are the ones who have a clear focus and the discipline to use their time well. They pay attention in class, listen to the "advice" I give them. If I suggest they preread the novel before we discuss it in class, they have it preread. They get assignments in on time. If they don't understand they ask. They never complain about the workload. My assignments are not just work that gets done as quickly as possible. They actually take the time to approach the work as an adult and do prethinking and extra research on their own time to get a fuller concept on what is covered in class. In other words they are young professionals and are serious about their goals and how to get there. Their marks are in the high 90's and a result of the effort they put in.
I have other students who are happy to just do the work assigned as quickly as possible. They are the 60-70% student and to tell the truth that is what I was for a lot of time when I was at school. I was not cut out for ivy league schools though and that kind of money would have been a total waste of time for me.
It sounds like that mother just might have the best interests of the child in mind. The competition and expectations after ivy league is brutal and high achievers are exactly that, high achievers. If the child has it in her to be one, then it is a good match. If the child feels pressured to succeed at her mother's goals, the issues will come and come quickly. In my opinion, the grandparents should have some sort of idea what kind of person their granddaughter is. If she is the first type, then the Sat prep will probably be worth it. If the second then they might be wasting their money and will have to think about what they are paying for.
Full disclosure, I am not a grandparent yet, but I have enough sense to stay out of my son's marriage. My DIL has the right to run her family as she wants. And it is None of My Business.....no matter how hard that may be to follow

 

[wackymother]

I send my kids to private school and I would NEVER pay $47,000 for high school tuition. Sorry, but nobody really does anything that important in high school. Usually, these tuitions include a trip somewhere that costs between $5-10k.

By the way, Harvard College tuition is only $37,576. Tell me how much more education your grand daughter is going to get in a top High School that warrants a price tag more than the world renowned Harvard College?

Not to defend what these parents are doing--but that figure for Harvard does not include room and board. That's tuition only. With room and board and assorted fees, Harvard is probably closer to $55,000 per year. I believe KCI is talking about a boarding school, so the $47,000 would include room and board as well as tuition.

As another poster said, elite private boarding schools cost what they cost, and there are enough parents who see benefit in sending their children to these schools that entrance is extremely competitive. It's not right for me and my family, but if it's right for KCI's family, that's their business.

 

[KCI]

I don't believe my granddaughter will be boarding at these schools...two of the schools she is looking at are Lawrence Academy and Concord Academy..and the $47,000 quote was from our son. I am astonished that anyone pays that much $$ for highschool but...again, it's their call, not ours.

 

[wackymother]

I don't believe my granddaughter will be boarding at these schools...two of the schools she is looking at are Lawrence Academy and Concord Academy..and the $47,000 quote was from our son. I am astonished that anyone pays that much $$ for highschool but...again, it's their call, not ours.

Yeah, it's crazy. We have friends whose daughter is applying to several elite prep schools, some boarding and some not. She is in eighth grade now and has already taken the SSATs. She did very, very well, and she's first in her class at school, but the parents are not at all sure that she will be admitted to the schools they like. The irony is that the family owns a home in a town that has one of the top-ranked high schools in New Jersey, so she could go there if they wanted her to. But they feel it's not good enough.

Regarding the test-prep tutoring, what we've heard is that if your child is already up there in terms of numbers, on sample tests or previous seatings, then the child will need one-on-one tutoring to get those last few points. Whether going to a test-prep business is the best route for that one-on-one tutoring, or finding private tutors is better, I don't know. Compared to private tutoring, I suspect that the $2250 is a bargain.

I have to ask--why they are asking you to pay for the test prep? If they can swing $47,000 for tuition, what's another couple of thousand for test prep? I don't mean that in a mean way, but if it were me, it would be worth that much not to be discussing it with my parents.

 

[bogey21]

Your advice is appropriate for 1970 or 1980, but not 2013. No offense, but it is much more competitive now to get into University.

I know i am living in the past but as one who attended 7 Universities before graduating my view is that all you have to do is get into one decent University and excel. After that you will accepted almost anywhere as a transfer student. Straight "A"s doing college work speaks volumes!

George

 

[KCI]

Wackymother...you would have to understand my daughter in law to find a reason for asking us to pay the fee. She believes we should be contributing to our granddaughter's education in an ongoing fashion. Our granddaughter has been in a Montessori school since preschool. They are currently paying $20,000 + a year for that...now she wants to take on a $47,000 a year bill for 4 years of highschool, followed by who knows how much for college...but as I said she expects us to contribute....our advice to son has always been to never get into any financial dealings that you are not capable of paying for yourself...do not expect others to pay for what you have signed up for but his wife thinks because we are all family, we have an OBLIGATION to pay our fair share for education. We have steadfastedly refused to take the bait with her and find that an occasional contribution like this is something we can justify to ourselves as a gift towards our granddaughter's future without emptying our bank account. Funny thing is if daughter in law wasn't so demanding, we would probably have volunteered to help out more than we have, but her mindset just sets us off and she loses in our estimation.

 

[PStreet1]

The high school I taught in was consistently in the list of top high schools in the U.S. We sent a pretty good percentage of our graduates to Ivy League colleges. No one ever needed prep work that was beyond the A.P. level of the classes we offered. Students consistently came back to say they were well-prepared. I believe if the student is qualified, getting into the desired colleges is fully doable. I retired 5 years ago, but still have many friends still teaching; nothing has changed: kids are still leaving that school and heading for the Ivys or next tier colleges. Most kids I knew didn't take SAT prep courses, and we still turned out the highest number of National Merit Scholars in the state.

If the mother is determined to do it this way, obviously, nothing will change her mind, but if the child has the ability, it is truly unnecessary--imo.

 

[DazedandConfused]

I know i am living in the past but as one who attended 7 Universities before graduating my view is that all you have to do is get into one decent University and excel. After that you will accepted almost anywhere as a transfer student. Straight "A"s doing college work speaks volumes!

George

Be glad you graduated several decades ago, because it is hard enough for a Tier 1 school graduate to get a job...anyone jumping thru 7 colleges before graduation these days is probably washing dishes or flipping burgers.

Also, grades are less relevant as a straight A student graduating with a poetry major or 18th century anthropology major is less employable than a B or C student with an engineer major.

Wackymother...you would have to understand my daughter in law to find a reason for asking us to pay the fee. She believes we should be contributing to our granddaughter's education in an ongoing fashion. Our granddaughter has been in a Montessori school since preschool. They are currently paying $20,000 + a year for that...now she wants to take on a $47,000 a year bill for 4 years of highschool, followed by who knows how much for college...but as I said she expects us to contribute....our advice to son has always been to never get into any financial dealings that you are not capable of paying for yourself...do not expect others to pay for what you have signed up for but his wife thinks because we are all family, we have an OBLIGATION to pay our fair share for education. We have steadfastedly refused to take the bait with her and find that an occasional contribution like this is something we can justify to ourselves as a gift towards our granddaughter's future without emptying our bank account. Funny thing is if daughter in law wasn't so demanding, we would probably have volunteered to help out more than we have, but her mindset just sets us off and she loses in our estimation.

I think you identified the "problem" here....your Daughter in Law.

Seriously, there is no 'guarantee" that the best most elite prep high school will get you into an Ivy league school (but it does increase the odds) and then there is no guarantee that going to an Ivy undergrad will get you into an Ivy graduate program or will get you the best or highest paying job.

It sounds like your Daughter in law has - "Harvard Envy"

What university did she attend and what was her degree in and has she ever worked a job in her life. In other words, has she contributed anything financial to her own family.

One of my associates has a super bright daughter that is on the same track as your DIL wants to follow and when I asked this teen what college she wanted to go to she said "Harvard or Stanford" and then when I asked what she wants to do after she graduates, she shocked me....she said "I am going to be a stay home mom like my mother"....game over for that discussion.

Not that there is anything wrong with stay at home moms or the desire to go to the best prep school or best college, it is FAR greater to discover your passion or true calling rather than expect an elite school to open the doors for the rest of your life.

Are there any more grand kids in your family or is this it as this is a super expensive road to follow.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

Sounds like you need to pay it to keep peace in the family. I'd probably pay for the test prep class. Btw, my jaw is still hitting the floor on the tuition at that high school. It is totally out my league. Good luck to your grand daughter.

 

[siesta]

Our son and his wife will be paying the $47,000 per year tuition...we have not offered and will not offer to pay those costs.
We agree it is an out of control situation but it's their life and as long as they feel they can afford it, it's their choice. We are concerned that they may be biting off more than they can afford and have suggested same to son and he, too, has reservations. BUT wife is the one who makes the most $$ and what she wants, she gets...end of story.

this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. plain and simple. I went to a private jesuit high school, which tuition is currently under $14,000, I then went to an Ivy League University for undergraduate studies which tuition is currently around $42000, and the law school I attended is ranked 5th in the nation, and tuition is just under $50k a year.

That high school is up there with my bachelors and juris doctorate programs, which by the way are some of the most expensive in the country. Going to that high school (I'm guessing New York State?) will not give that kid that significant of a leg up relative to that tuition cost. Majority of kids at the elite universities I attended were not from schools like those, and the ones that did go to schools like that were from "legacy" families, and their grades didnt matter anyways. Rant over.

Now back to your OP. SSAT prep is not necessary. SAT and ACT prep courses are not that necessary, high school should prepare them enough and basic test taking strategies can be found in various books and online. Now, when and if it comes time to take the MCATs or LSAT I would recommend prep courses, GMAT it depends. Kaplan LSAT prep course was helpful for me. And my advice is not outdated, im an early 30 something.

Now, if the kid is a poor test taker, that may be a different story, however if he/she is a strong student, its not.

 

[vacationhopeful]

OP clearly stated that DIL is the higher bread earner in her family. I think this might be the "one and only child" and "I do everything to make sure my child has the best of the best" for the DIL.

Also, DIL feels the "extended family" should be forking over $$$ to help cover her plans for her child.

My older brother MARRIED a woman who just finish her sophmore year at Princeton U (yes, an Ivy). My brother had graduated Princeton a year before the marriage and was on his 2nd job when her tuition bill came in for the start of her junior year at Princeton. SHE sent him down to get the money out of my dad for her college tuition - who had 2 other children currently in college and another 2 starting college in the next 9 years. My parents were in their mid 50's and my mom was a secretary in a small business. I was a fly on the wall, my dad was not making it easy as he was dumbfounded, but my dad finally stated:

"I have a responsiblility to pay for college for MY children. While I said I care for your WIFE as if she was one of the family, she is YOUR financial responsibility. IF YOU and HER can not afford the Princeton tuition bill, she should go to a college that you can afford or work until you all have the money for her to go back to Princeton."

She delivered USPS mail parttime the next 12 months until the financial determination forms used for financial aid qualitified her on THEIR income, and left, dumped my brother 7 months after she graduated from Princeton and had her job with Chase on Wall Street. She moved in her stuff into her new BF's Manhatten apartment (whom she had been dating for 6 months). And my brother was left with all the debt as she would be responsible for her college loans.

Been there ... seen the damaged ... I truly feel the OP is in a NO WIN situation with the DIL.

OP - I know you are trying to draw that line in the sand. And you have to, just as my Dad had to. You might not have other children to educate, but your have your elder years to provide for yourself and your husband. And you just love the granddaughter ... just remember, love should be from the heart and not the checkbook.

 

[wackymother]

Wackymother...you would have to understand my daughter in law to find a reason for asking us to pay the fee. She believes we should be contributing to our granddaughter's education in an ongoing fashion. Our granddaughter has been in a Montessori school since preschool. They are currently paying $20,000 + a year for that...now she wants to take on a $47,000 a year bill for 4 years of highschool, followed by who knows how much for college...but as I said she expects us to contribute....our advice to son has always been to never get into any financial dealings that you are not capable of paying for yourself...do not expect others to pay for what you have signed up for but his wife thinks because we are all family, we have an OBLIGATION to pay our fair share for education. We have steadfastedly refused to take the bait with her and find that an occasional contribution like this is something we can justify to ourselves as a gift towards our granddaughter's future without emptying our bank account. Funny thing is if daughter in law wasn't so demanding, we would probably have volunteered to help out more than we have, but her mindset just sets us off and she loses in our estimation.

I sympathize with you; you're in a difficult position. I would just pay the $2250 since your DIL has decided it's "best." You wouldn't want to suggest something else and then have your granddaughter not make the best scores, because it might come down to you being blamed for not paying for the prep course. Good luck with everything!

 

[Elan]

this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. plain and simple. I went to a private jesuit high school, which tuition is currently under $14,000, I then went to an Ivy League University for undergraduate studies which tuition is currently around $42000, and the law school I attended is ranked 5th in the nation, and tuition is just under $50k a year.

That high school is up there with my bachelors and juris doctorate programs, which by the way are some of the most expensive in the country. Going to that high school (I'm guessing New York State?) will not give that kid that significant of a leg up relative to that tuition cost. Majority of kids at the elite universities I attended were not from schools like those, and the ones that did go to schools like that were from "legacy" families, and their grades didnt matter anyways. Rant over.

Well said. Typically, the only people that think this stuff matters are those that came from that background. It's "what they do".

Motivated students will do well anywhere, and poor students will do poorly anywhere. No amount of money changes that.

 

[lvhmbh]

I won't get into the discussion re whether you should pay the fee for school but...we are sending our 16 year old to a very well rated private prep school. Another parent suggested the tutoring and we didn't use Kaplan but we checked out another program. We met with the school first and they told us where we needed to be for the PSAT (his grades in Middle School were exceptional and in the advanced program). He took a sample PSAT with the tutoring company and they told us what he needed to work on - we used them and I am not sorry. He was accepted. His first year he had a hard time with his Algebra teacher (not the only one) and wasn't really "getting it". This from a kid who never got below A+ in any advanced math he took. Over the summer he agreed - no whining - to got back to Huntington to be tutored in Algebra. He is now getting an A consistently in Algebra II. Just my experience.