How far into senior year is math tutoring appropriate?

Seniors and their parents often ask about whether or when they should stop math tutoring.

For students with an interest in studying science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) in college, I recommend to continue tutoring throughout senior year. The same holds for student who plan to study business. In college, these students will rely on the math content they are learning in high school.

For students who are absolutely certain that they will not take STEM or business classes in college, I recommend that tutoring continue until midterm exams in January. Tutoring support is typically needed to keep those first quarter grades and first semester grades up. High schools will send first quarter grades for students applying early action or early decision. First semester grades are sent for regular decision applicants. After mid-terms are completed, it is up to the families to decide whether tutoring should continue.

The last (and most difficult) category is seniors who have no idea what they may choose to study in college. Those students should continue tutoring through midterm exams for the reasons stated above, but it is hard to know what to do after that. Basically, anything could happen. I have had students who started in engineering end up as music majors in college, and I have had students who started in humanities end up as veterinarians, where calculus is required. If cost is not a factor, I think it best to continue tutoring beyond midterms.