“I helped my son get into Stanford!”
This Facebook ad caught my eye.
This morning I was scanning my Facebook page and read this post on the right. Now I’m thinking, “dad’s made a generous contribution to Stanford and this is how he gets his son in”.
I read on; this kid got into Stanford and all the ivy league schools simply because he got a 2400 on his SAT. His dad downplayed his school work and gave all the credit to these outstanding scores.
Just your average Joe, stays at home and plays video games and gets into Stanford.
Then I’m reading this description and I’m thinking “where is this going”, and I realize that it’s just an “infomercial” type ad for a test prep company, because there is no way this kid got in just ’cause the scores are 2400.
But I’m still thinking – honest ad – this company lucked out and is exploiting a lucky score. Until. . . I get to the comments.
What is wrong with this first comment?
Will wonders never cease!
Hint #1: Daughter’s score is 1436. Yeah, in what parallel universe? All SAT scores (new and old) end in “0”. Only averaging scores will yield a score like the one above.
Hint #2: The scores from the first redesigned test administered in March 2016 haven’t been released yet (ad comment date is April 15, 2016). The scores come out sometime in May 2016.
Hint #3: If these scores were from this year’s test (which haven’t been released) how did they get her a seat at Berkeley so quickly, where “she is very happy”? That’s a meteoric turnaround (even in that parallel universe) for ETS and Berkeley; I’m thinking time travel.
And then I read back on the “dad’s” narrative and see the son’s beginning scores are 1635: note the “5” — these are impossible too!
I’m so naive. When I post my students’ scores, the scores are accurate. When I post a client’s comment, it really is from my client. I assume everyone tells the truth. But to all you parents and students, perhaps if it is too good to be true, it is too good to be true. Use Word of Mouth: talk to friends and family to find out how they prepared for these high stake tests. If you go to a large company make sure the instructor actually has some experience and a positive track record.
And if you would like to speak to me, Kate Dalby, about what our company can do to help you, click here to arrange for a free consultation.