Are college prep services worth the investment? (Answer: Yes.)

[DISCLAIMER: Hey reader! Please know that Class 101 is a valued partner of theCityMoms. Because of this relationship, we occasionally share sponsored content we feel could be valuable or interesting for your family, like this post from Class 101 about about why college prep services are worth the investment. So read on, dear reader…

It happens momma, it really does. That little baby transforms into a toddler, then a full-grown kid, and before you know it, a teen. I say this from experience as my own baby is now a chatty, gangly, headed-to-high-school-in-a-year teenager.  

It’s strange turning this specific corner in motherhood - granting your kiddo the independence they need to be a solid, grown person, but also towing the line as a parent who still wants the best for them. 

Wait, you mentioned college prep services?

I know not all kids are ready for - or need! - a college experience. But as my son Hunter begins this journey to high school, we already know college is in his sights. And its why when Class 101 signed on as a CityMoms partner, I started listening with keen interest on their programs and planning services - because Hunter will soon be needing some support too. Navigating this new world is tough, and I know I’m not alone:

There are more than 4,000 colleges and universities across the US

Colleges state they are reviewing student’s work, beginning with the first day of 9th grade

The average sticker price of a 4-year public college is $10,560

After a difficult year of remote learning, 63% of parents say their child’s post-high school plans are back on track 

What this means: It's not unusual to start investigating college preparatory services and support early, vs. waiting until your child has just a year left of high school. We sat down with Randy Stegemoller, co-owner of Class 101 of Carmel, to put his life’s work to the test:

Is there a specific time during a student's middle or high school journeys that you recommend to begin college planning? 

The earlier, the better! We recommend starting freshman year to develop a game plan and ensure students are taking the right courses from the start of their high school career. A head start gives students and parents plenty of time to build college lists, explore interests, and set up for SAT and ACT basics without rushing the process or cramming everything into junior and senior year.

What new trends {if any} are you seeing with students preparing for college applications? 

One trend we saw due to Covid-19 is colleges going test optional. This fall we will see if colleges remain test-optional or return to requiring an SAT or ACT test for admission. We recommend that all of our Class 101 students continue to prepare for and take a college entrance test because most scholarships require a test score to be considered. We covered this topic in a Facebook LIVE that parents may find helpful. We've also seen college admissions become more competitive. More students are preparing for the SAT and receiving higher scores, creating stronger high school resumes with activities and volunteer work, and generally increasing the competitive field for top colleges and universities. It's our job and our passion to coach students through the process so they stand out and receive the big scholarships. 100%of our students receive scholarships and were accepted at a 96% rate to their top five schools this year.

What are some ways to take stress out of the college planning process? 

Many students think it's normal to start planning for college at the last minute. We take the stress out of the process by keeping students ahead of their peers and organized along the way. Parents and students can make the process easier and more successful by starting early and utilizing resources and help from others whether that is your guidance counselor at school or working with a college advisor like those at Class 101. This is a complex and multi-year process, we don't recommend going it alone!

Do you have any tips for parents in supporting or preparing their student? 

Parents can help their student by dedicating time to discussing college goals and realistically evaluating college costs and family budget from the beginning of the process. From there, parents can work to develop a comprehensive plan toward achieving those goals and identifying any help needed along the way such as test prep, college essay workshops, a timeline for visiting colleges and narrowing down the list to find the best fit, etc. A free opportunity that we offer students to prepare for college is our community SAT and ACT testing the first Saturday of the month. Busy working parents often find that it's easier to outsource this to us as we meet with students up to once each week, ensuring that students are on-track and meeting the many deadlines that come with applications for admission and scholarship.

Is there any one item or thing in your experience you notice parents or students overlook year over year? 

We often see students underestimating the importance of really maximizing the summer to build their resumes. Summer is one of the only times busy students can engage in stand-out activities such as volunteering, academic summer programs, SAT or ACT bootcamps, or a summer internship. Colleges and universities will look at how students spent their summers when reviewing them for scholarships and admission.

MORE DETAILS: Class 101 is a team of experts dedicated to removing the guesswork from the college planning experience. Their office is located at 600 E Carmel Dr #109, Carmel, IN 46032. Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, or their website. Schedule your own free consultation today.