Staying Focused

Accolades

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A: We offer direction and recommendations about the basics of college selection and admissions as a part of student/parent orientations and strategic planning seminars, as students progress through our program. For those who need or prefer in-depth college selection, admissions, or scholarship counseling help we can provide recommendations for experienced, proven professionals in the field.

A: We never have more than 12 students on a class roster. The majority of our PSAT/SAT^* classes are between 6 and 12 students.

A: Yes. Any student who begins our Complete Program prior to the 11th grade will participate in revised and updated curriculum once in each grade year through the 11th grade. Also, any 12th grader joining our Complete Program as a new Karen Dillard's student after the 11th grade will participate in a set of lessons during the 12th grade.

We offer a special evaluation to any of our students who joined the Complete Program prior to the 12th grade and participated in lessons as a 9th, 10th, or 11th grader. Considering national test scores for SAT^* and ACT^®, individual strengths and weaknesses on each test, and college choices, we determine the most effective course of preparation leading into the 12th grade, as college deadlines approach.

A: KDCP was established in 1992.

A: We strongly believe our program exceeds that of all other test preparation programs. We make a commitment to our students for the duration of their high school career for one price. We surround them with not only proven, proprietary curriculum, but ongoing instructor-led support activities, direction, and counseling to help every student maximize his or her potential. And, we designed flexibility into every facet of our program. In today's very busy, highly competitive world, this is essential for every student's success. See also Guarantee.

A: The first time you come to use the lab, just go to Command Central and check in. Our staff will show you how to log on to the lab exercises. We will keep track of the minutes and performance in the labs.

A: We offer a Complete Preparation Program to help students reach all of their college admissions testing goals with maximum flexibility at a great value. A one-time enrollment fee based upon the grade level of the student covers all materials, lessons, workshops, practice tests, and labs until the student graduates from high school.

Individual, one-on-one tutoring for more targeted, short-term attention is available, as well. We evaluate each student and develop a tutoring plan based on the student's capabilities, availability, and the number of sessions desired. Please contact one of Karen Dillard's College Prep's Directors at one of our centers to help you determine the best course of action and the cost of the specific program that will be best for you.

A: Writing skills develop over time. We offer writing help in both PSAT/SAT^* and ACT^® lessons. Additional writing attention is offered in instructor-led, workshop sessions, provided weekly. Students prove their writing capability as they participate in practice tests, as well. Continued reinforcement of writing fundamentals will follow as students receive correction in teacher-led test reviews.

A: No, but we can recommend qualified professionals who assist with college scholarship research, applications, and college finance.

A: Yes, and our guarantee is the standard in the industry. Students participating in our high school level Complete Program may stay with us and continue to prepare under our direction at no additional charge until they graduate from high school.

A: Independent practice is critical for any significant change in performance. We offer about 30 minutes of homework with each of our lessons, but we recommend students participate in additional practice in our workshops, practice tests and reviews, so that a teacher can address their specific needs and provide support on a continuous basis until all goals are met.

A: No. The workshop material is only given out to those who participate in the workshops so that students might have the full benefit of the interactive teacher-led experience.

A: Go to Command Central and have your picture taken and then pick up the ID the next time you are in the office. If you forgot your ID at home, then go to Command Central and get a Temporary ID.

A: Your reward is directly related to the effort you make. But, every student has different starting points in knowledge, learning styles, commitment levels, and extracurricular distractions.

Students who commit to our Complete Program and follow our recommendations can expect to see between 200 and 500 points of improvement.

A: It does for many of our students. Our test preparation curriculum and support activities provide a review for students who have already covered the college admissions test-related subject matter, and they become a preview for those who have yet to cover the subjects in school. This focus will often enhance a student's performance in school. Additionally, the testing strategies and skills that we teach, and the lengthy, timed practice test events often reduce anxiety and build confidence for other major test events.

A: We make adjustments and keep working to improve. Many factors contribute to the amount of progress a student makes. An individual's learning style, weaknesses in specific knowledge, external distractions, health, and many other factors can impact the rate and degree of improvement.

Our program allows a student to deal with the "real world". If a student does not reach his or her ultimate goal on the first attempt, we re-evaluate, make adjustments, and re-focus the student.

A: All make-up lessons are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Our class size is limited to 12 students per class.

• Contact our office to verify which class you actually missed.
• Get a list of days and times make-up lessons are available from KDCP staff.
• Always call KDCP the day before to make sure the class schedule has not changed.
• Come at least 15 minutes early for your make-up class.
• Check in at Command Central as soon as you arrive.
• Wait for KDCP staff in Command Central to call your name and tell you which room to go to. If there are no available seats for you in the make-up class, then we will give you additional times and days.

A: Office hours are posted by location here.

A: Karen Dillard's College Prep provides real College Board released PSATs^* and SATs^*, and American College Testing ACT^® tests, along with proprietary tests for practice testing.

A: Yes, we have practice SAT^* Subject format tests for most test topics to allow students to identify their strongest subjects and consider those subjects for national test dates. Our Complete Program includes lessons for Math Level 1 and Level 2. Individual tutoring is available for other subject tests for an additional fee.

A: Full length practice tests are available any time during office hours, but you must be here at least 4 hours before we close in order to complete your test. Prior to starting your test you will select and reserve an appointment for an instructor-led test review. This small, ability-grouped review provides vital teacher input on any missed questions for further correction and reinforcement. You will need to attend an instructor-led review before you may take additional practice tests to ensure that you are progressing.

A: We will issue a refund if a student decides not to continue a pre-paid, Complete Program prior to the conclusion of the initially registered, 14 scheduled classes. The refunded amount will equal the total paid fee, less a $100 materials/administration fee, and less a prorated amount for each scheduled class conducted. To qualify for the refund, the parent must submit a hand-written withdrawal notice prior to the fourteenth session of the student's originally scheduled classes, and return all Karen Dillard's College Prep materials. This refund will not include classes missed prior to receipt of the withdrawal notice. No refund is available for students whose originally scheduled 14 classes have been concluded.

A: Yes. The refunded amount will equal the total paid fee, less a $100 materials/administration fee, and less a prorated amount for the time the student used the program.

A: If you are a very busy student, our KDCP Complete Prep Program has been built for you. KDCP offers multiple class time options, both evenings and weekends. Our curriculum is designed with independent lessons, allowing students to make up lessons out-of-order, providing maximum flexibility. Our weekly practice activities occur at multiple meeting times to provide more convenience for busy students. Our practice labs are available anytime during business hours for self-paced work. We also offer individual tutoring for an additional fee for any student who cannot schedule regular times.

A: Office hours are posted by location here.

A: No, but we can recommend ethical, seasoned professionals to help you.

A: We have a broad range of professional instructors on the KDCP staff. Many are career teachers at public and private schools. Some are business professionals, with previous teaching background; some are full-time instructors at Karen Dillard's College Prep. The common thread is that all have gone through a rigorous evaluation and training process. All have successful, real-world teaching experience, a bachelor's degree (many with advanced degrees), and they all have demonstrated the ability to perform at the highest levels on the SAT^*. Also, they have gone through an extensive training process to be able to clearly and effectively deliver our proprietary curriculum to students of all levels.

A: No, we do not have access to some of the private information necessary to register students for national test dates. Students register for PSATs^* through the school. Students can register for SATs^* and ACTs^® online at www.collegeboard.com, or www.act.org respectively or they may pick up a registration packet from their counselor's office at school.

A: First, find out if there is another upcoming review for the same test you took. If not, you have two options. The first option is to do the "Make-Up Review". You will fill out a packet of information about the test. It can take up to 6 hours to complete. The second option is to pay for a one-on-one test review. This review will cost $75 per hour and usually requires two hours.

A: No, national test sites are listed in the registration bulletin and on the respective web sites. Practice tests that students take at KDCP cannot be used for official admission purposes.

A: Our comprehensive program prepares students for the PSAT^*, SAT^*, ACT^®, and SAT^* Math Level 1 & Level 2 Subject Tests. We offer one-on-one tutoring at all locations and classes at our Dallas campus for ISEE^* and SSAT for private high school admissions.

A: We believe that most 11th and 12th graders should take both the SAT^* and ACT^® to find their best test and highest scores. This will ensure more options for college admissions, scholarships, and honors programs.

A: Yes, we do provide individual tutoring based on an hourly fee. We can supplement instruction for students who are participating in our small group activities in our Complete Program, or we can design a customized individual program for a student's unique needs.

A: Yes, you can. The majority of our students who have participated fully in the Complete Program will not need additional individual help. However, time constraints or learning differences sometimes make individual help preferable. It can always be arranged for an additional hourly fee by contacting our office.

A: Yes, we offer one-on-one tutoring for students who are scoring very well (perfectly) on part of the test but need improvement in one or both of the other sections. However, for most students, there is room for improvement on all sections of the test.

A: The online Activity Calendars are available by location at:

• Plano Calendar
• Colleyville Calendar
• Dallas Calendar

The most current version of our Activity Calendar is also available in the lobbies of each of our locations.

A: We introduce new workshop material every Saturday. The week before national test dates the workshops change daily Monday-Thursday.

A: No. Be on time and bring your KDCP ID. Out of respect for those who promptly arrived, no one will be allowed to enter the workshop after it has begun.

A: No. The workshop material is instructor driven, and interactive by design. It is only provided to students who arrive on time and complete the session.

A: No. We want you to attend workshops and take practice tests in addition to attending your class. We also recommend that you continue coming to workshops even after you have completed your classes. The workshops are designed to be mini-lessons, on-going reinforcement of concepts introduced in the lessons. They are intended to build on class material.

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