Franklin Report Report Card for Tutor Associates in New York City
★ Franklin Report Card
Tutor Associates
900 Broadway
Suite 903
New York, NY 10003
(646) 638-3504
www.tutorassociates.com
director@tutorassociates.com
Main Contact: Sasha DeWind
Categories
Academic Tutors & Counselors

Services & Specialties
SAT and High School Subject Tutoring

FRANKLIN REPORT RATINGS
RECOMMENDATION
 
5]
WORK QUALITY
 
COST EVALUATION
 
VALUE ANALYSIS
 
ADD YOUR REVIEW Key to Ratings
Linked-In E-mail Share on Twitter Share on Facebook E-mail
Linked-In
E-mail
Share on Twitter
Share on Facebook
E-mail
FR Review:
Less well known than their competitors, Tutor Associates is a secret source for those in the know. This firm distinguishes itself with its warm, engaged tutors that care about the students well beyond their SAT scores. For example, if a student has a math issue from the classroom, the TA tutors are happy to segue into solving that issue during that session. The upside is a much more humane process, but the possible downside is a less rigorous program. The main competitors of TA have a schedule to follow week-by-week, and are afraid to get off-track as their personal compensation is directly tied to how well the students improve from diagnostic to final SAT score.

However, TA further sets itself apart from its competitors with a relatively reasonable fee structure. While others may charge around $900 a session for a “Midrange Associate” (better than Junior, less experienced that a Senior), TA charges less than $300 for a Head/Senior Tutor. And, lo and behold, TA publishes their rates on their website, unlike the over-the-top-expensive, price-elusive competition. Also, TA’s office staff are markedly nice and helpful—before the process begins, a program consultant is sent for a in-home visit with student and parents to try to make the best match with a tutor.

Tutor Associates was founded in 2001 by David Oblath and Gordon Smith who were freshmen roommates at Berkeley and each others’ best men at their weddings. Oblath also has a degree from Columbia’s Teacher’s College in educational psychology and Smith an MBA from NYU. Together, they started with a small cohesive core and now have over 40 tutors on the team. The company tutors for academic classroom work, standardized tests (SSAT, SATs, ACT, ISEE), and does admissions consulting (a new offering as of 2009). There is also a well-established Skype outreach program and an online SAT tutorial for boarding school students. In the summer, much of the Tutor Associates staff can be found in the Hamptons or Nantucket.

In summary, TA has a bit less experience and is a bit less formalized than more established tutoring companies, especially when it comes to the published materials for some of the less popular Subject Tests (Latin, Chemistry) and number of SAT practice tests available. But once students and parents use TA, they never consider using any other service. And the fact that they are so much less expensive than the competition is an added huge bonus.

Representative Client Comments:
"I was so very impressed when one of their Program Consultants, Sasha, came to our house to chat with our daughter and us before assigning us a tutor. She really did a thorough interview and worked hard with us to find a great match in terms of personality and academic style." "It amazes me how much my daughter enjoys her sessions with Christina Chestnut. She is not only getting A's on her biology tests in class but has embraced the academic process." "I have used the other big name tutoring firms-- these guys are at least as good at 1/4 of the cost." "There is no reason to use anyone else."

5 Stars
 
(4)
4 Stars
(0)
3 Stars
(0)
2 Stars
(0)
1 Stars (0)
 
 
REGISTERED (4 reviews)
Posted 4/20/2010
Reviewed By:
Elizabeth Franklin
Elizabeth Franklin New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
No reason to ever use any other academic tutoring company. Incredibly well priced & very effective.
Recommendation
Work Quality
Cost Evaluation
Value Analysis
Project Description & Comments:
We have used all of the recommended tutoring companies that normally cater to the most elite Manhattan high schools. There is no reason to use any other company other than Tutor Associates. The service and focus is way better than their competitors and the price is about 1/5 the cost.

Besides the cost savings being a major advantage, these people are responsive and kind. If your kid needs math tutoring for a test the next day, they step in and do that instead of the SAT Prep that was scheduled that day. Totally do whatever is needed. Also, Sasha, the coordinator that we used, is incredibly helpful and kind. A true gem among the questionable.
        Cost of Project: $1,001 - 10,000
Was this review: Helpful (946)    Interesting (102)    Flag as inappropriate
Posted 5/18/2010
Reviewed By:
North Dakota New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
Honest, good people with outstanding tutoring skills. And such a reasonable cost, by comparison!
Recommendation
Work Quality
Cost Evaluation
Value Analysis
Project Description & Comments:
I fell in love with Tutor Associates when I first spoke to the assignment coordinator. Finally! A person in the tutoring business who actually seemed to care about my kid. I was further wowed by the relatively inexpensive prices ($175 for a HEAD Math tutor an HOUR versus $550 for 50 MINUTES for a senior tutor). But, of course, the true test was how my child reacted to the tutor (wonderfully) and that now she is getting A's on her Biology tests instead of B's. Lastly, the TA Associates people are nice and warm, and are willing to help in any way they can. If there is a math assignment that night that my dauhghter has a question on, the lesson turns to math for a while.
        Cost of Project: $1,001 - 10,000
Was this review: Helpful (109)    Interesting (107)    Flag as inappropriate
Posted 5/18/2010
Reviewed By:
Verified Review
Deborah Williamson New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
Once I found TA I never used another SAT tutoring company. Nice, compassionate, effective. I recommend to all my friends.
Recommendation
Work Quality
Cost Evaluation
Value Analysis
Project Description & Comments:
It took me a while, but I eventually figured it out-- everyone else was using Tutor Associates once they grew tired of the insane prices and arrogant attitude of the "big name" SAT tutoring companies. Among other things, TA really seems to care about my son. They are smart, effective and connected to the materials and the way my son learns. I plan to use them for all my kids as they approach the college years.
        Cost of Project: $10,001 - 50,000
Was this review: Helpful (293)    Interesting (85)    Flag as inappropriate
Posted 5/18/2010
Reviewed By:
Verified Review
David Crenshaw New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
The only good answer that I have found so far: excellent pricing and professionalism.
Recommendation
Work Quality
Cost Evaluation
Value Analysis
Project Description & Comments:
After extensive trials with two other SAT tutoring companies and two children, I was so happy to have found Tutor Associates. While they do not have as formalized materials, they unquestionably cater the sessions to your child's needs and work with your student in a way that suits best. Also, the pricing is a relative bargain compared to the "big name guys." It is all ridiculous that the entire private school group is using tutors, but since is it now a given, I feel very comfortable that TA is the best outfit. Excellent tutoring, flexible systems and digestible prices. The only worry is that their excellent flexibility (less strictness) might not lead to the very best SAT score, but at least the process has been humane-- both for student and parents.
        Cost of Project: $1,001 - 10,000
Was this review: Helpful (181)    Interesting (126)    Flag as inappropriate
 
I work for this company and want to respond
(Registration required)
 
Welcome !
Hello !
Now that you have access to the site again,why not post a review?