So no IUSD won't guarantee you an Ivy, but this guy can...

[bones]

hasdf

 

[irvinehusky]

If not, then hire this guy instead of the kitchen upgrade. 

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/09/01/sat-tutor-caters-to-the-kids-of-the-very-wealthy/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=email-2014-09-02&utm_medium=email

 

[Irvinecommuter]

Yeah...I'm not understanding this at all because a number of things are not wholly within the students' control.  I mean should the student stop trying to get a higher GPA or SAT score?  And if they do, can they assure a certain level of GPA/SAT score?  Also, the hours of activities thing is a little weird considering you don't tell colleges how many hours you do.

Finally, what's the point of this?

 

[bones]

asdf

 

[Irvinecommuter]

Yeah...I'm not understanding this at all because a number of things are not wholly within the students' control.  I mean should the student stop trying to get a higher GPA or SAT score?  And if they do, can they assure a certain level of GPA/SAT score?  Also, the hours of activities thing is a little weird considering you don't tell colleges how many hours you do.

Finally, what's the point of this?

The point? It's an article I found interesting. As with all the garbage on TI. Read if u want. Skip if u don't.

No...I don't mean the article...it's definitely interesting.  I meant what's the point of the service...so you know that you have X% of getting into certain schools...you are still stuck with your resume/GPA/SAT Scores.

 

[jerometl]

Yeah...I'm not understanding this at all because a number of things are not wholly within the students' control.  I mean should the student stop trying to get a higher GPA or SAT score?  And if they do, can they assure a certain level of GPA/SAT score?  Also, the hours of activities thing is a little weird considering you don't tell colleges how many hours you do.

Finally, what's the point of this?

The point? It's an article I found interesting. As with all the garbage on TI. Read if u want. Skip if u don't.

No...I don't mean the article...it's definitely interest.  I meant what's the point of the service...so you know that you have X% of getting into certain schools...you are still stuck with your resume/GPA/SAT Scores.

I think their main selling point was the money back guarantee if you don't get to the college of your choice.

This is just sad that college admission has turned into something like this.  If I'm a college admission officer, the first thing I would probably do when evaluating applicant  is research first if they have used these kind of services with their application and if they did, process their application accordingly with this in mind.

 

[Irvinecommuter]

Yeah...I'm not understanding this at all because a number of things are not wholly within the students' control.  I mean should the student stop trying to get a higher GPA or SAT score?  And if they do, can they assure a certain level of GPA/SAT score?  Also, the hours of activities thing is a little weird considering you don't tell colleges how many hours you do.

Finally, what's the point of this?

The point? It's an article I found interesting. As with all the garbage on TI. Read if u want. Skip if u don't.

No...I don't mean the article...it's definitely interest.  I meant what's the point of the service...so you know that you have X% of getting into certain schools...you are still stuck with your resume/GPA/SAT Scores.

I think their main selling point was the money back guarantee if you don't get to the college of your choice.

This is just sad that college admission has turned into something like this.  If I'm a college admission officer, the first thing I would probably do when evaluating applicant  is research first if they have used these kind of services with their application and if they did, process their application accordingly with this in mind.

But the service is not actually helping you to get into the school so what's the point?  It just tells you the chance of you getting into a particular school.  Even if you have a 90% chance of getting in, you still have a 10% chance of not.  It's not like you get to apply for college a second time.

 

[jerometl]

Yeah...I'm not understanding this at all because a number of things are not wholly within the students' control.  I mean should the student stop trying to get a higher GPA or SAT score?  And if they do, can they assure a certain level of GPA/SAT score?  Also, the hours of activities thing is a little weird considering you don't tell colleges how many hours you do.

Finally, what's the point of this?

The point? It's an article I found interesting. As with all the garbage on TI. Read if u want. Skip if u don't.

No...I don't mean the article...it's definitely interest.  I meant what's the point of the service...so you know that you have X% of getting into certain schools...you are still stuck with your resume/GPA/SAT Scores.

I think their main selling point was the money back guarantee if you don't get to the college of your choice.

This is just sad that college admission has turned into something like this.  If I'm a college admission officer, the first thing I would probably do when evaluating applicant  is research first if they have used these kind of services with their application and if they did, process their application accordingly with this in mind.

But the service is not actually helping you to get into the school so what's the point?  It just tells you the chance of you getting into a particular school.  Even if you have a 90% chance of getting in, you still have a 10% chance of not.  It's not like you get to apply for college a second time.

But the money back guarantee and all the complex statistical stuff gives the impression  to parents that they are a better service compared to others.  If they have to spend that much money, it better send their kids to the college of their choice or they want their money (investment) back -- I think that's the main selling point.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

So is it like $1000 for UCI and $5 for IVC?

 

[Irvinecommuter]

Yeah...I'm not understanding this at all because a number of things are not wholly within the students' control.  I mean should the student stop trying to get a higher GPA or SAT score?  And if they do, can they assure a certain level of GPA/SAT score?  Also, the hours of activities thing is a little weird considering you don't tell colleges how many hours you do.

Finally, what's the point of this?

The point? It's an article I found interesting. As with all the garbage on TI. Read if u want. Skip if u don't.

No...I don't mean the article...it's definitely interest.  I meant what's the point of the service...so you know that you have X% of getting into certain schools...you are still stuck with your resume/GPA/SAT Scores.

I think their main selling point was the money back guarantee if you don't get to the college of your choice.

This is just sad that college admission has turned into something like this.  If I'm a college admission officer, the first thing I would probably do when evaluating applicant  is research first if they have used these kind of services with their application and if they did, process their application accordingly with this in mind.

But the service is not actually helping you to get into the school so what's the point?  It just tells you the chance of you getting into a particular school.  Even if you have a 90% chance of getting in, you still have a 10% chance of not.  It's not like you get to apply for college a second time.

But the money back guarantee and all the complex statistical stuff gives the impression  to parents that they are a better service compared to others.  If they have to spend that much money, it better send their kids to the college of their choice or they want their money (investment) back -- I think that's the main selling point.

Yeah...I get the selling points.  I don't get what actual benefit it provides.

 

[jerometl]

Yeah...I get the selling points.  I don't get what actual benefit it provides.

Then you are not their target customer    For some people, regardless of what they offer, money back guarantee means that they can deliver otherwise they wouldn't offer such guarantee (or at least their investment don't go to waste if they fail) 

 

[bones]

asdf

 

[Bullsback]

Some of this crazy talk are reasons why I don't know that I want my kids in IUSD. Parents were crazy when I graduated but this has gone to a whole new level of insane and I fear that ultimately the well rounded individuals who truly succeed in the professional setting will be far scarcer. Contrary to popular belief, playing sports, socializing, etc, teach you valuable things that you can utilize later in your professional career (whether it comes to dealing with people or working in a team environment or just selling your ideas). 

It seems like in Irvine, you have a great shot that you have a kid with a 3.5 or something and they feel like they are an idiot, which in reality, isn't the case.  Maybe I'm over generalizing but back in my day, you had a 3.5 and a decent SAT score and you were a shoe in to get into a quality UC school (not sure if that is the case now or not). I also spent tons of time in boy scouts, playing youth sports, etc. I did my home work but balance was preached by my family and most everyone's families that I knew. 

 

[Irvinecommuter]

Some of this crazy talk are reasons why I don't know that I want my kids in IUSD. Parents were crazy when I graduated but this has gone to a whole new level of insane and I fear that ultimately the well rounded individuals who truly succeed in the professional setting will be far scarcer. Contrary to popular belief, playing sports, socializing, etc, teach you valuable things that you can utilize later in your professional career (whether it comes to dealing with people or working in a team environment or just selling your ideas). 

It seems like in Irvine, you have a great shot that you have a kid with a 3.5 or something and they feel like they are an idiot, which in reality, isn't the case.  Maybe I'm over generalizing but back in my day, you had a 3.5 and a decent SAT score and you were a shoe in to get into a quality UC school (not sure if that is the case now or not). I also spent tons of time in boy scouts, playing youth sports, etc. I did my home work but balance was preached by my family and most everyone's families that I knew.

There are always crazy parents.  Doesn't matter if you are in IUSD or elsewhere.  If those parents want to waste their money, fine with me.  I mean there are plenty of studies that show that prep classes are not any better than a good student studying on his/her own but people still want to spend thousands of dollars for the classes. 

This whole thing is also silly because getting into a "good" college is not nearly as important as it used to be.  More and more jobs require advanced degrees and there are more and more college grads.  Get into a decent school and do well in college.

 

[Irvinecommuter]

I think the benefit is that you can quantify your chances. And they can also quantify your increased chances with each 10 point increase in sat and increases in GPA. If you go to them fresh/soph year, there is still time to change things. Now I'm not saying this biz is good or bad (I'll leave those opinions to myself) but there are a ton of private college counselor out there. More in irvine alone than you can count on your hands and feet. 80% of those ppl have no clue about chances to get into competitive schools. The rest have some idea based on background/experience. Yet they all charge thousands of dollars. So This guy's ability to quantify it is a game changer IMO.

Sure...the guy is definitely smart for separating himself out from others in the industry.  It's just an industry that does not provide much (if any) benefit IMO.

I mean, take your example.  Most academic inclined kids will just do the best they can.  They're not "holding themselves back" as to GPA or SAT score only to be unleashed once they realize that they have a better chance of making into college by doing better.

 

[bones]

[qasdf

 

[Irvinecommuter]

I think the benefit is that you can quantify your chances. And they can also quantify your increased chances with each 10 point increase in sat and increases in GPA. If you go to them fresh/soph year, there is still time to change things. Now I'm not saying this biz is good or bad (I'll leave those opinions to myself) but there are a ton of private college counselor out there. More in irvine alone than you can count on your hands and feet. 80% of those ppl have no clue about chances to get into competitive schools. The rest have some idea based on background/experience. Yet they all charge thousands of dollars. So This guy's ability to quantify it is a game changer IMO.

Sure...the guy is definitely smart for separating himself out from others in the industry.  It's just an industry that does not provide much (if any) benefit IMO.

I mean, take your example.  Most academic inclined kids will just do the best they can.  They're not "holding themselves back" as to GPA or SAT score only to be unleashed once they realize that they have a better chance of making into college by doing better.

Sure.  A lot of kids are self-driven & have smart parents that help them along the way.  But you'd be surprised - there are a lot of parents out there who 1) don't know how the college process works, 2) can't get their kid to do jack and/or 3) just don't have the time to manage/motivate/etc.  Sometimes having a 3rd party can be beneficial in getting their kid to see the light.  Even outside of this teenage realm, there exists a whole industry that counsel/aid people into getting into medical, law & business schools.  And the people who are applying usually are self-driven, but sometimes it's nice to have someone to bounce things off of that do it day in and day out.

If that's the case, that child will have little chance of success in college because it's all about self-motivation in college. 

Edit:  Also, no every kid is cut out for college or academics.  Rather than always trying to fit a round peg into a square hole, parents should figure out what their kids are or are not good at and adapt. 

 

[bones]

[quoasdf
[/quote]asdf

 

[Irvinecommuter]

I think the benefit is that you can quantify your chances. And they can also quantify your increased chances with each 10 point increase in sat and increases in GPA. If you go to them fresh/soph year, there is still time to change things. Now I'm not saying this biz is good or bad (I'll leave those opinions to myself) but there are a ton of private college counselor out there. More in irvine alone than you can count on your hands and feet. 80% of those ppl have no clue about chances to get into competitive schools. The rest have some idea based on background/experience. Yet they all charge thousands of dollars. So This guy's ability to quantify it is a game changer IMO.

Sure...the guy is definitely smart for separating himself out from others in the industry.  It's just an industry that does not provide much (if any) benefit IMO.

I mean, take your example.  Most academic inclined kids will just do the best they can.  They're not "holding themselves back" as to GPA or SAT score only to be unleashed once they realize that they have a better chance of making into college by doing better.

Sure.  A lot of kids are self-driven & have smart parents that help them along the way.  But you'd be surprised - there are a lot of parents out there who 1) don't know how the college process works, 2) can't get their kid to do jack and/or 3) just don't have the time to manage/motivate/etc.  Sometimes having a 3rd party can be beneficial in getting their kid to see the light.  Even outside of this teenage realm, there exists a whole industry that counsel/aid people into getting into medical, law & business schools.  And the people who are applying usually are self-driven, but sometimes it's nice to have someone to bounce things off of that do it day in and day out.

If that's the case, that child will have little chance of success in college because it's all about self-motivation in college. 

Edit:  Also, no every kid is cut out for college or academics.  Rather than always trying to fit a round peg into a square hole, parents should figure out what their kids are or are not good at and adapt. 

It doesn't' have to be extremes.  It's not like every kid who sees a private college counselor is a loser and shouldn't be in college yet their parents are trying to get him into one.  Honestly, a lot of these private counselors sees regular average HS kids who may be a cal state candidate, but want to go to a UC.  Or maybe a top 200 college kid trying to break into top 100 schools.  Whether or not YOU feel that's necessary or even needed is a personal thing.  I don't begrudge a parent trying to help their kid reach their goal through private means especially since budget cuts mean high school counselors really can't spend much time on each individual student anymore to really do any "counseling" past ok, here's your transcript.

I can see the scenarios you speak of but I feel like for a parent to spend thousands of dollars on a private counselor, there has been a pretty high level of commitment. 

I guess I'm just simplistic.  Do as well as you can academically, do some sports/activities that you enjoy, and go volunteer/serve somewhere...then see where you end up for college.