Frequently Asked Questions

1. Our family is interested in Becker Academic, but we’re not sure if your firm is right for us. How can we explore the possibility of working together?

The first step in a good professional relationship is to clarify interests, needs and objectives. We offer an initial consultation with the prospective student client and a parent/guardian to explore our compatibilty and your particular considerations.

2. What should we bring to the initial consultation?

When feasible, we encourage prospective student clients to bring three documents: 1) the most recent, unofficial high school transcript, 2) the results of standardized tests (PSAT, SAT, ACT), and 3) a typed writing sample of 150 words about his or her most meaningful extracurricular activity.

The writing sample serves double duty, because the topic also appears on the Common Application for Undergraduate Study.

3. Is there a charge for the initial consultation?

Yes, the initial consultation costs $150.00, payable at the time by check or cash. Should your family choose to enter into a formal agreement with Becker Academic, the fee will be applied to the contract balance.

4. How much do your services cost?

We bundle our services for client families into three packages: Start Ups, Run Ups, and Tie Ups. Together, the three packages provide comprehensive coverage for college search and selection.  The fee schedule for the class of 2012 is listed below.

We negotiate fees for demonstrated economic hardship, and we have never turned away a prospective client family for financial reasons.

Single Package Options

• Start Ups $2,000.00
• Run Ups $2,500.00
• Tie Ups $1,000.00

All three packages: $3,750.00 (by 8/15 of the rising senior year)

Families contracting after the fifteenth of August in the rising senior year will be assessed an additional, one-time charge of $250.00.

5. We don’t want all three Becker packages. Can we contract for just one?

We encourage families to work with Becker Academic for the duration of the college search and selection process–until the first of May of the senior year, which is usually the deadline for making your college selection. In certain cases, it is possible to contract separately for our packages.

6. If our family enters an agreement for services with Becker Academic, what is the payment schedule?

We offer a variety of payment schedules, and client families may select the one that best fits their situation.

7. Do you have additional services to compliment the client packages, Becker Workshops and the evening conversation?

We offer additional mentoring services to client families. These include executive skill building, writing for college, summer reading tutorials, cross-cultural training and support services during the student’s first year of college. Mentoring options are billed at $90.00 per hour.

8. Does Becker Academic have an institutional specialization?

Our student clients have matriculated at a range of public and private colleges and universities. However, we specialize in making outstanding matches with selective liberal arts colleges. (Note: we discourage undergraduate study at Ivy League institutions.)

9. We want to confirm that Becker Academic, LLC, is a reputable firm. Do you provide references?

Yes, references are available during the initial consultation.

10. Our family doesn’t live in Baltimore County. Can we still work with you?

Becker Academic families have been as close as next door and as far as Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We are a “brick & click” firm, working in person and through a combination of Skype, telephone and email. When driving to a client home outside Baltimore County, we assess a charge of $0.65 per mile.

11. We have a couple questions of a general nature about college application and admission. Will you answer these questions without an initial consultation?

Yes, we gladly answer general questions to the best of our abilities, free of charge. You are welcome to call during regular business hours or to send us an email.

We also suggest browsing other sections of this site for the Becker Academic position on a variety of topics about college search and selection.