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On May 29, 2009, the Hartford Courant ran the article “SAT: Unfair? Elitist? Overrated? All Of The Above” (click here to read the whole thing). It’s a fascinating piece about the efficacy of standardized test prep, the rising cost of such prep, and social justice. The author draws several conclusions: 1) “New research suggests that colleges pay even more attention to the dreaded SAT than we thought”; 2) test prep, like college, is expensive; and 3) test prep, if you can afford it, actually works. The Courant’s findings have been corroborated innumerable times, including here: Are Test-Preparation Courses Worth the Cost?”
This is good news on all three counts at CollegePrepExpress, LLC. While we don’t put much stock in the actual test scores—we know that neither the SAT nor the ACT measures anything worth measuring—we do know how to help students get the very highest scores they can, thereby positioning themselves to maximize their chances for college admissions. The simple truth is that test prep does in fact work (how else could Princeton Review, Stanley Kaplan, not to mention CollegePrepExpress, stay in business?). Add to test prep-services the attention CollegePrepExpress gives to the other two major admissions criteria–good grades and well-packaged application materials–and can significantly change the types of schools to which you can apply and get in!
Leading beautifully to the main topic of this blog are Mr. Green’s comments about pricing. After making inquiries at Kaplan Test Prep, Mr. Green learned that “At-home tutoring packages start at $3,299 for 20 hours” (we can safely assume they’ve since gone UP). A quick glance at our Prices & Value page shows that CollegePrepExpresscharges significantly less. You don’t have to be an SAT math whiz to know we offer close to DOUBLE the value offered by Kaplan. Similarly, Princeton Review offers 24 hours of private tutoring for $2400, $4800, or $7800, depending on the skill level and experience of the tutor. Given that most of our tutoring is still done by Dr. Michael J. Youmans, Ph.D. in education, with 20 years of classroom and private test prep tutoring experience, we can assert loudly and proudly that we offer not only first rate, world class tutoring services (see our Results & Testimonials page), but also an AMAZING BARGAIN :-).
To make the deal even sweeter, we have a tradition at CollegePrepExpress of expressing our gratitude to current clients and their referrals by offering “next year’s lessons at this year’s prices.” Prices will, alas, go up on July 15, 2010. But from now till then, you can purchase 10, 20, 30, or 40 lessons—redeemable for a full 12 months—at the current prices. Again, that’s better than double the value offered by Kaplan, and many times better than that offered by Princeton Review. Why pay more when you can get a superior service for less?! To defray the cost even more, see our excellent Quick-Cash Referral Program.
Above all, we want to take this opportunity to THANK all our great students, parents, and families for making CollegePrepExpress a thriving young company in Greater Hartford, Greater Boston, New York City, and Western Mass. We get to work with some wonderful students and some amazingly supportive and loving families. And how many professionals can say that about the people with whom they get to work? We are very grateful, and we genuinely thank you for your business. We look forward to hearing from you and enrolling you by July 15, 2010….and beyond!