“Flexibility is definitely the best thing about PrepMe” - Elliot

Elliot Smalling and Mr. Smalling, Chicago

Front cover of FORTUNE Small Business Magazine and Chicago Tribune story.

PrepMe stood out for a couple of reasons. First, the price was right. Second, Elliot could do it on his own time. He wasn't locked into getting up on a Saturday morning where he would be going and sitting in a classroom. Third, it appears that the company is run by a bunch of bright, young people who have been exposed to the test and obviously succeeded. I thought the insight from these individuals would be helpful.

My writing tutor was just great. She kept up with me and told me to keep on submitting essays to her. I had a problem with writing and my tutor really helped me focus and make my writing more concise so that I could write it in the short time frame given on the SAT.

With the one-on-one, they could fine-tune him, as far as how to answer questions, the writing section (which was completely new). We had no clue as to what was going to be on it or how to do that. But I think that's obviously going to be a very important factor on college decision-making — on who they let in. Being able to write and submit a well written essay was the most measurable benefit of the course.

Yes, because I think the SAT has really changed over time. It helped to have a tutor who has taken it so recently and is really in tune with that—it gave me a lot of confidence.

It works! I think this program was a lot more personable even though it was online. I heard from friends that go to the classes and they sit there and they listen to a teacher talk but they really don't have a lot of one-on-one time and you can really get that with PrepMe, because you're in direct contact with them through email and live tutoring.

Time management is always hard when during the school year you have a lot of other things to worry about. But sometimes it's also hard to get focused on PrepMe but I think that my writing tutor especially was helpful with emailing me and keeping up with me. All of the online tutors and staff at the office would tell you, you know—make sure you're working on the program and submitting essays, and all that. So they really help to keep you on track even though there's a lot more going on in your life too.

Mr. Smalling: I think that it allowed Elliot the flexibility to do this on his own time, given the hectic schedule that a high school junior has. And it's also the one-on-one, whether online or via email. I even emailed the tutor once or twice with my own inquiries. It was like a one-on-one class. Doing it at your own convenience—that's the key.

Elliot: I'm going to have to agree with him. I would say flexibility is definitely the best thing about PrepMe. I didn't have to wake up on a Saturday morning and go to a class, or do any of that. I could just do it all on my own time because I'm a very independent person and it just worked perfectly.

Thanks Elliot and good luck! PrepMe is proud to have played a valuable role in your academic and professional success.