FAQ
Initial Consultation
We offer a free complimentary consultation with one of our directors for all potential clients. The goal of the consultation is two-fold. First, we answer any questions you may have about Private Prep and the tutoring process. Additionally, we hope to get a good sense of the personality and needs of our students so we can match them with an appropriate Academic Coach. For this reason, we prefer to have the initial consultation in person.
Lesson Location
Most students prefer to hold lessons in the convenience of their own homes. For some students, the home environment can be distracting, in which case we arrange for the lessons to be held at a convenient alternative location that is conducive to learning (classroom, library, café, etc).
Session Length
The minimum length for each session is 1 hour. We are flexible when more than 1 hour is needed to cover the requisite material and students demonstrate an ability to remain focused for longer periods of time.
Rates
Our rates vary by Academic Coach, subject and location. All rates are hourly and priced competitively with other tutoring services in our markets. Please contact us for more information.
Accepted Methods of Payment
We accept online credit card payments (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) through our billing system. We also accept checks mailed to our office. Payments are not collected by our Academic Coaches.
Locations Served
We currently offer tutoring in New York City, Westchester County, NY, and Fairfield County, CT.
Billing/Invoicing
Private Prep handles all invoicing through an online billing system. We send out invoices via email at the start of each month for the prior month’s lessons.
Outstanding Invoices
While we do not charge late fees, the operation of our service does rely on the prompt payment of your invoice. Unpaid invoices will receive payment reminders 20, 50 and 80 days from the initial invoice date.
Cancellation Policy
In order to maintain scheduling flexibility for our Academic Coaches, we have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Lessons that are cancelled with less than 24-hours notice will be charged in full. This policy is not meant to be punitive, but is in place out of respect for the value of our Academic Coaches' time.
Hiring Policies
We find our Academic Coaches from a wide variety of sources. We recruit from local universities and graduate programs, listservs, and our extensive network in the field of education. All candidates are subject to a thorough screening process that includes a phone interview, in-person interviews with lesson planning, a background check and follow-ups with references. We look for candidates that possess subject specific expertise, a passion for education and demonstrate an ability to connect with students on personal level.
