<p><a href=“They want to sell your kid - Sep. 19, 2007”>They want to sell your kid - Sep. 19, 2007;
Not exactly all that surprising, but relevant to the forum.</p>
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<p>(Money Magazine) – To improve her chances of getting into a good college, Caitlin Pickavance, a 17-year-old high school senior from Danville, Calif., has been working with a private college coach since her freshman year (cost: $800). </p>
<p>She gets tutored in math ($1,400), takes an ACT prep class ($900) and participates in afterschool enrichment activities ($1,350). Then there’s the good-will mission to Belize she went on last spring ($1,375) and the classes she took this summer at the University of Salamanca in Spain ($7,000) in hopes of further buffing her r</p>
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<p>YES! It can happen for zero dollar.</p>
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<p>Wow, these are fine schools but not all that selective. I bet I could “prep” any reasonably bright and accomplished kid to get into at least 2 out of the 3, and I’d do it for a lot less. Maybe I’m in the wrong business.</p>
<p>Coureur- I thought the same thing. Wonder if her list is longer in the article? </p>
<p>I guess I should read the article, but there is no point, S would never agree to being prepped or groomed, or doing something because it would look good on his applications. Felt like who he is should be good enough.</p>
<p>Utter waste of money for the Pickavance family. What made them think that LMU is a reach, not to mention Pepperdine & SDSU?</p>
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Could it be that this cost is not for college prep but so that the kid can make it through high school math? Or is getting a tutor for a struggling kid now considered “over the top”?</p>
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Who labeled these activities as “college prep”? Maybe these were activities she wanted to do?</p>
<p>I don’t know about anyone else, but my kid did several years of “afterschool enrichment” - she started gymnastics in kindergarten, dance in 3rd grade (continuing into college), and was in aftercare when not in the other activities while I worked (until 6th grade, when she could be home by herself). </p>
<p>Were these geared to college prep? No, although I don’t think they hurt - they were either things she wanted to do or things like aftercare that she had to do. Did I spend $3000 last year (14 hours of class & various costumes) for “college prep”? No, I spent it for my daughter’s enrichment and enjoyment, but CNN might think I “bought” her place in college!</p>
<p>To improve her chances of getting into a good college, Caitlin Pickavance, a 17-year-old high school senior from Danville, Calif., has been working with a private college coach since her freshman year (cost: $800).</p>
<p>She gets tutored in math ($1,400), takes an ACT prep class ($900) and participates in afterschool enrichment activities ($1,350). Then there’s the good-will mission to Belize she went on last spring ($1,375) and the classes she took this summer at the University of Salamanca in Spain ($7,000) in hopes of further buffing her r</p>
<p>I guess the parents had the money to spend on their child. There is nothing wrong with that. I think that she could have gotten into the same schools without the trips, and just doing some local volunteer work, or getting a summer job. The college coach might have been something the family chose to go for, rather than doing doing their own homework about colleges and finding a good fit. Chedva, I was thinking exactly along the same lines. Perhaps this student was struggling, the parents had some money available to help their child, and they put the money to good use. If they can afford 7k for Spain, then they can afford tutoring and prep classes too.</p>
<p>But was it worth dipping into their D’s 529 plan?</p>
<p>Danville is very well-to-do. I doubt dipping into D’s 529 plan will affect these people much. Especially if she goes to San Diego State - a relatively inexpensive public school. </p>
<p>OTOH, unless this child had some problems and needed extra tutorials: is San Diego State College really worth such an expense?</p>