Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions:
Yes. All class materials, including practice tests, packets, and worksheets, are included in tuition.
Yes. A consultation helps us understand your student’s goals and learning needs so we can recommend the program best suited for them. It also gives families the chance to ask questions about our teachers, classes, and approach before enrolling.
Our initial consultation meetings typically last 45 minutes to 1 hour. We ask that students attend with a parent or guardian. To schedule your consultation, complete our [hyper link to inquiry form] or call our office at (858) 436-7220.
No. Our initial consultation is completely free. It’s an opportunity for our counselors to get to know your student and for families to ask questions about our programs, teachers, and classes.
Program costs vary by season and course. Tuition rates are published on our program schedules, which are updated regularly. You can view detailed pricing by visiting the specific program page.
The diagnostic exam shows us your student’s strengths and weaknesses, helping us recommend the right courses and place them in a class with peers at a similar level.
Yes. If your student doesn’t have a current PSAT, SAT, or ACT score report, we are happy to provide a diagnostic test. We ask that all students complete a diagnostic before their counseling appointment. To schedule, call (858) 436-7220 or email info@hamiltoneducation.com.
After a consultation, enrollments are completed through our office by phone, email, or in person, with so staff are able to answer questions about scheduling and payments.
Before registering, new students must complete a consultation with one of our counselors. Test prep students should bring an official PSAT, SAT, or ACT score report (or take a diagnostic test), while enrichment students should bring a current report card. After the consultation, families can register for the recommended program by working with an administrator. To schedule your consultation, call (858) 436-7220 or email info@hamiltoneducation.com.
No. Hamilton Education is not affiliated with the SAT or ACT, so registration must be done directly through the official websites: College Board for the SAT and ACT for the ACT. (College Board for SAT – ACT)
Families will need to create an account on these sites to register, view deadlines, and check upcoming test dates.
SAT/ACT:
The SAT and ACT are very similar, with about 95% overlap in the skills they test, but there are some key differences.
ACT: Four sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — plus an optional essay. The ACT moves at a faster pace and includes more geometry questions.
SAT: Four sections — Reading, Writing & Language, Math (no calculator), and Math (with calculator) — plus an optional essay. It is more algebra-focused, and the Readingsection includes passages from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Both the SAT and ACT are accepted by nearly every college, so preparing for both maximizes admissions and scholarship opportunities. Through our H3 Program, students build skills that apply to the SAT, ACT, and PSAT in one effort. Many students find they perform equally well—or even better—on the test they didn’t initially prefer, and strong PSAT scores can lead to significant scholarships in 11th grade.
The PSAT and SAT are very similar, but there are key differences. The PSAT has slightly easier math (up to early Algebra II) and does not include an essay. The SAT includes more advanced math and may have an essay component. While PSAT scores are not used for college admissions, the junior-year PSAT also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which can lead to significant financial aid.
The SAT essay is optional to align with the ACT. Some competitive colleges still require it, but many do not, making it unnecessary for most students. Essays are graded by human readers, which makes the test more expensive to administer. While admissions officers can view the essay, they rarely read beyond the score unless there is a concern that a student’s application essays may not reflect their own work.
The best time to begin SAT or ACT prep depends on each student’s schedule, academic workload, and extracurricular commitments. Many students find that summer or winter break provides the ideal opportunity, since there are fewer distractions and more time to focus on test prep. Every student is different, so families should decide with input from counselors when to start the process.
The 11th-grade PSAT is what can qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship. Earning this distinction can provide them with a decent amount of college scholarship money and prestige that strengthens applications and carries recognition beyond college admissions.
Test Prep/ Tutoring:
Mr. Hamilton teaches our Weekend Classes and 1600/36 Goal Programs during the summer, and also guest teaches in other SAT and ACT prep courses.
Yes. We offer a variety of ACT prep classes, including our Target ACT classes for specific test dates and our Summer H3 program, which prepares students for the SAT, ACT, and PSAT.
We do our best to accommodate these requests. However, enrollment depends on counselor recommendations, and students may be placed in different sections to ensure the best fit for their learning needs. Our goal is always to place each student in the class and study plan where they will be most successful. For more information, call (858) 436-7220 or email info@hamiltoneducation.com.
No, our tutors do not provide in-home sessions. Tutoring is available at our Carmel Valley as well as online with the same experienced tutors and curriculum.
Hamilton Education’s teachers all hold Bachelor’s degrees in their respective fields, and most are pursuing or have earned postgraduate degrees such as a Master’s or Ph.D. We carefully select and train our instructors to ensure excellence in teaching and student learning.
Parents and students can email tutoring@hamiltoneducation.com to reach their tutor. Our front office staff will forward all messages directly to the appropriate teacher.
During summer programs, progress reports are sent at the halfway point. For private tutoring, notes on progress and instruction are provided after each session. If you’d like additional updates about your student, please call (858) 436-7220 or email info@hamiltoneducation.com.
Hamilton Education uses a mix of high-quality published resources and original curriculum materials designed by our team for both enrichment and test preparation programs.
Hamilton Education holds classes, counseling sessions, and private tutoring at our Carmel Valley office and online via Zoom. H3 Summer classes take place at the Carmel Valley office, Maranatha High School, and online.
Every student learns differently and has unique scheduling needs. Hamilton Education offers a variety of SAT/ACT prep programs with different time commitments, while maintaining the same high-quality teaching and materials. Before registration, counselors meet with each student and a parent or guardian to recommend the program that best fits their needs. For more details, call (858) 436-7220 or email info@hamiltoneducation.com.
College Consulting:
We recommend starting college application preparation in the middle of 11th grade. For students seeking longterm support with extracurriculars, resumes, and summer program planning, our College Blueprint program is an excellent option to begin earlier.
No. While GPA and coursework are important, colleges review applications holistically. Admissions officers also consider extracurricular activities, test scores, and personal essays to understand each student’s achievements, character, and story.
The college admissions essay is a vital part of the application, especially at selective schools. While grades, test scores, and extracurriculars show academic readiness, the essay brings your story to life and helps you stand out among equally qualified applicants. Your story will also tell the admissions officer how likely you are to not only leave your mark on campus, but also to go on and do great things after college. And every college, no matter how selective, wants to be able to say of students who go on to successfully lead, create, build, reform… “that’s our alum!”
A college’s rank does not predict how happy you’ll be there or how successful you’ll be after. What it does predict is the response of your peers when you tell them, “I got into !” or the envy the person behind you on the freeway will feel when they see your “ University” sticker on your windshield. Rankings also tend to reflect how rich and old a college is, not whether it’s the right place for you to pursue your academic or creative interests.
In short, take rankings with a grain of salt. Several different organizations produce rankings using different criteria, and none can tell you which school is truly the best fit. Only research and campus visits will.
Most colleges list their admissions requirements on their official websites. For personalized guidance, you can contact our Carmel Valley office at (858) 436-7220 or email collegeapps@hamiltoneducation.com. Our counselors can answer specific questions about your student’s admissions process through our college consulting services.
