FAQ'S

Frequently asked question are listed below. If you have any other question please feel free to contact us.

When should my son or daughter start tutoring for the SATs?

The easy answer to this questions is as soon as possible. The SAT remains the second most important factor - close behind grades - in admissions decisions. Don't panic. While the SAT tests a student's overall reasoning abilities without relation to or consideration of high school coursework, the test emphasizes basic writing, reading comprehension and math skills students hone over time both inside and outside of the classroom. In addition to specific SAT strategies, we're here to help students strengthen these skills. Some students are more prepared or seasoned than others.

Either way, we familiarize students with the SAT and provide specific strategies and a personalized gameplan for succeeding. Most students start working with us in the fall of their Junior year. Increasingly, we're meeting with students earlier in the process (Freshman and Sophomore years) as a result of increasingly competitive admissions seasons and beneficial offerings like our Rising-Star Program.

If you're a student or a parent wondering about when to get started, please consider your expectations and goals as well as how much time and money you're willing to invest in the process. There are certainly steps a student can take at home to practice for the SAT. Reading and writing on a regular basis will hone the SAT skills we're talking about. Students should pick words they don't know out of newspaper articles (The New York Times is excellent) and make flashcards with definitions (dictionary.com is a good source) to memorize the words. Of course, paying attention in classes like Geometry, Algebra and Algebra II goes a long way.

Why hire a private consultant for college applications?

The bottom-line is that increased demand has led to more selectivity. The number of graduating high school seniors is increasing while the number of seats available at top colleges and universities is staying the same. Additionally, high school students are getting better grades than ever before. 42% of 2006 college-bound seniors reported grade point averages of A+, A, or A-, according to the College Board. Ten years ago, the figure was just 32 percent. This year’s average GPA was 3.29, compared with an average GPA of 3.14 in 1993. In other words, it’s harder than ever for students to stand out.

What about the guidance counselor?

The average guidance counselor today is responsible for 477 students, while the Guidance Department's governing body recommends a ratio of 250 students for every counselor. It's abundantly clear under either scenario that Guidance Counselors today lack the time and resources to adequately help students stand-out on their college applications. In most cases, a counselor simply matches a student's profile (GPA and test scores) with a generic list of computer-generated colleges and universities. Rarely are key student attributes and family preferences taken into consideration. If a student has high grades and test scores, she is encouraged to apply wherever she wants with little or no regard for the key factors involved in the admissions process or a strategy that could drastically improve her chances of acceptance.

Colleges bemoan rankings and the use of outside consultants while doing little to quell the hype or panic parents face in the admissions process. In fact, colleges across the country advertise not simply their faculty and resources, but their prestige and unique ability to reject the majority of students who apply for admission. Take for example Bucknell's homepage where university officials boast: "Bucknell continues to be in the top 6 percent of the most selective colleges in the nation - those offering admission to less than 40 percent of their application pool." Visit the homepage of any other prestigious college and you'll see the same advertisement.

At First Class, we understand that colleges want well-rounded campuses and not necessarily students who, unwittingly and under pressure, attempt being all things to all campuses. First Class applications are tailored and delivered at this most crucial of college application crossroads: the junction where a student's strengths and unique attributes meet a college's needs. At First Class, we work step-by-step with students to ensure they stand-out on each application. Please visit our testimonials page to read what parents and students are saying about First Class Prep.