FAQ for Parents


Why does my child have no interest in learning English? My child has been to many English training classes, but his grades don't seem to be improving.
There are many reasons why a child has no interest in learning English. One cannot completely blame the child. Learning English by only memorizing vocabulary is probably not the best way to get the child motivated to learn.
How can I get my child to be more interested in learning English?
TutorOut allows your child the opportunity to learn in a relaxed and convenient environment. Our American tutors will communicate in English with your child, helping them with their reading, speaking, listening and writing. By reading American novels with our tutors, your child can effectively gain a better understanding of American history and American life.
Why can't my child speak and understand English even after learning the language for many years?
Like many other languages, learning English requires the correct environment. Since English is not your child's mother tongue, it is important to learn from an American native speaker to have the opportunity to be immersed in an English speaking environment.
My child's writing has always been weak. How can I help him learn the correct way of writing English essays?
This is a very common problem for Chinese students. When writing an English essay, students usually directly translate their Chinese to English. Through the classes with our tutors, your child will be practicing their writing so that they can naturally become proficient in analyzing and writing in English.
How does one apply to a US high school or college?

High schools: Standardized test (SSAT or ISEE, TOEFL), Specific school application (essays, personal information), School interview, Teacher recommendations, transcripts

Colleges: Standardized test (SAT or ACT, TOEFL, SAT subject tests - if required), College application (essays, personal information), School interview (if required), Teacher recommendations, transcripts

What scores does my child need on the standardized tests in order to get into high school or college?
Having a high score does not guarantee entrance into a good college, however it helps tremendously. High schools and colleges also take into consideration the personal essays, extracurricular activities and interview to name a few.
What are the yearly costs for US high schools and undergraduate colleges?
Every high school and college is different, but the yearly costs typically range from $20,000 to $60,000.
Which college is best suited for my child?
There are many factors to consider when applying to colleges which include desired location and the area of study (Business, engineering, Liberal Arts, etc.). It is important to try to match your own grades/scores and special abilities with the standards for the school you want to attend to save time and money (from application costs).
If I don't have any friends or relatives in the host country, how can I get help from a host family?
Usually the school your child is attending should offer the service for international students to help them become acquainted with their new surroundings.
What kind of preparation does my child need before he/she goes abroad to study?
The amount of preparation need for each child is different depending on their English skills. However, it is ideal to get extra help in English reading and writing as the history and English classes are usually the hardest for international students.
If my child has academic or cultural problems abroad, how can I get help for him/her?
The school your child is attending usually offers out of school tutoring or teacher office hours for students to get extra help. If you prefer, you can use our services on this website to get a dedicated tutor to help.
Is there health insurance needed abroad?
Yes, most schools require you to get insurance and should give you a few options to choose from.
What if my child is sick and needs medical attention?
Your school should have a nurse that can help with minor problems, but in case of an emergency, they will send your child to the hospital.
Are there any sort of financial aid or scholarships for high school and colleges?
High schools do not offer financial aid to international students. However, some colleges do offer it to international students so it is important to find the ones that do if financial aid is a priority for you.
Can my child transfer to another high school/college?
Yes, your child can transfer to another high school or college. You will have to go through the application process again.
What are the living accommodations for high schools and colleges?

High school - Boarding in their dorms or live with a host family

Colleges - Boarding in their dorms or off campus housing if allowed.

What is the best way for my child to get a competitive job upon graduation?
The best way to be competitive in finding a job is a high GPA, previous summer internship experience, great resume, and great interviewing skills and overall preparedness/knowledge of the respective industry.
Does a high score on my standardized test guarantee me entry into a good high school or college?
No, nothing is guaranteed. High schools and colleges also take strong consideration in the application (hobbies, interests, GPA, essays, interview) when making a decision on an applicant.
When should we start preparing to apply to high schools or colleges?
The earlier the better as a lot of research on picking the right schools takes time along with preparing for the standardized tests.
What is TutorOut's refund policy?
If you would like to request a refund for your tutoring plan purchase for any reason, you may do so by calling us during business hours in China at 400-827-2568.
If you decide to cancel within 30 days of purchase, we will process a refund for any unused hourly sessions left in the account on a prorated basis. For example, if you purchased a hypothetical ten-session plan for 4000RMB, used five of your ten hourly sessions, and request a refund within 30 days, we will refund 2000RMB of your initial purchase. No refunds will be issued if you request it after the first 30 days of purchase.
Please note that for security reasons we can process refund requests only by phone. You must call us during business hours in China at 400-827-2568. within 30 days of creating your account to request a refund.
More questions?
If you have any additional questions, please call us or drop us a message on the on the bottom right of the site to contact one of our experts. Once you are with an expert, they will easily guide you through any problems/questions you might have.
What are the top highschools and universities in the US?
Please see table below:

Top Prep Schools in the US

  1. Trinity School (New York, NY)
  2. Horace Mann (New York, NY)
  3. Phillips Academy Andover (Andover, MA)
  4. The Brearley School (New York, NY)
  5. Roxbury Latin (West Roxbury, MA)
  6. Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH)
  7. Collegiate School (New York, NY)
  8. St. Paul's (Concorde, NH)
  9. The Spence School (New York, NY)
  10. The Winsor School (Boston, MA)
  11. The Chapin School (New York, NY)
  12. Harvard Westlake (North Hollywood, CA)
  13. The Dalton School (New York, NY)
  14. Lawerenceville School (Lawerenceville, NJ)
  15. Groton School (Groton, MA)
  16. Milton Academy (Milton, MA)
  17. College Prepatory School (Oakland, CA)
  18. Noble and Greenough School (Dedham, MA)
  19. Hopkins School (New Haven, CT)
  20. Deerfield Academy (Deerfield, MA)

Source: Forbes (2010)

Top Universities in the US

  • 1. Harvard University
  • 1. Princeton University
  • 3. Yale University
  • 4. Columbia University
  • 4. University of Chicago
  • 6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • 6. Stanford University
  • 8. Duke University
  • 8. University of Pennsylvania
  • 10. California Institute of Technology
  • 10. Dartmouth University
  • 12. Northwestern University
  • 13. Johns Hopkins University
  • 14. Washington University in St. Louis
  • 15. Brown University
  • 15. Cornell University
  • 17. Rice University
  • 17. University of Notre Dame
  • 17. Vanderbilt University
  • 20. Emory University
  • 21. Georgetown University
  • 21. University of California - Berkeley
  • 23. Carnegie Mellon University
  • 24. University of California - Los Angeles
  • 24. University of Southern California

Source: US News