While public schools might meet the educational needs of most students, parents know they rarely meet the needs of all college-bound students. In theory, parents can obtain free education for their children at public schools, yet the reality is that parents of college-bound students open their wallets long before the first tuition bill arrives. And if they are smart, parents will prioritize how they spend their college-prep dollars.
When evaluating applicants, colleges are most interested in students' GPAs, so providing academic assistance is a wise choice. Students realize that many high school courses are too tough to tackle alone, and so many families may turn to private tutors. Experienced tutors can cost anywhere from $25 to more than $100 per hour. Most families can't afford that, so if you live near a college or university, contact the college volunteer or job placement office to see whether graduate students might tutor your high school student at a reasonable cost. Students should also ask their teachers if they hold study sessions; many high schools have peer tutor programs.
Colleges are also interested in their applicants' SAT or ACT scores, so getting extra help in preparing for the exams is wise, too. Though the College Board (SAT) and ACT Web sites offer free online help to prepare for their tests, most students opt for more intensive study. There are great books available (check out the local bookstores or libraries), but the reality is that unless students study diligently, their scores will not improve much.
For that reason, many families choose to pay for organized test preparation classes. Group classes are the most economical way to go, ranging from $100 to $1,000 per student. Some parents' clubs or high schools contract with test prep companies to work with their students on campus. Private tutoring is the most expensive option and can cost from $100 to $300 per hour. Jason Moreno, founder of Eureka One-On-One Review, told me that students often take up to 30 hours of private tutoring and that Eureka, as do others, offers scholarships for students with need who want personalized test preparation.
The basic cost of taking either the SAT or ACT is about $40, but many students take it more than once. The SAT subject tests are about $20. That doesn't sound like much until you add in the extras like the cost of sending score reports to multiple colleges or rushing the scores to schools at the last minute.
Careful planning will help avoid additional expenses. For those who need financial assistance, fee waivers for tests can be obtained through high school counselors or administrators. And don't forget that there are plenty of colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT.
While getting good grades and taking standardized exams is essential for nearly every college-bound student, some families pay for special coaching or private college counselors. Families hire athletic coaches, trainers, music teachers or voice coaches, or pay for summer camps or classes for students talented in science, art, or math. Private college counselors can help students who attend high schools without counselors, or those who have special needs.
With careful planning, families do not have to break the bank to prepare for college, but unfortunately, it is the rare family that emerges from the college-prep phase without dipping into the college fund.
For further reading:
College Board http://www.collegeboard.com
ACT http://www.actstudent.org/
Schools that do not require the ACT or SAT http://www.fairtest.org/
COPYRIGHT 2007 JOANNE LEVY-PREWITT
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