Dear Rampage,
Recently, I read the opinion article about SAT prep. Freedom of speech is something I value very
much and I appreciated David Brackbill’s opinion, but I respectfully disagree with his point of view. As someone who went from being an SAT prep student at ACI to staff working here, I can understand where David is coming from. I used to dislike SAT classes simply because it took away a large part of my free time during
the summer. But, looking back, I realized how much it has helped me, especially in my journey on gaining acceptance to UCLA and many other great colleges.
I believe publishing an article that targets one educational institution was not cool. The article’s title was “SAT prep: an unnecessary investment,” yet the article only talked about SAT preparation at ACI. It was also misleading since the writer implied that he had taken an ACI “program that [he knows and hates].” If Brackbill had actually attended classes here, he would know how much ACI has helped students over the years. We have many alumni that have gained entrance to prestigious colleges with ACI’s help.
Including the nickname “Abusing Children Institute” also felt slanderous. It could potentially hurt a business that has worked very diligently to build up its reputation over the past 25 years. When I was a student at ACI, I probably would have snickered at the joke. However, after having worked here over the past summer, I have realized how hard ACI’s staff and director work to
In conclusion, I strongly disagree with how David portrayed ACI. I would be okay with him sticking to talking about SAT classes not being worth it. But attacking only ACI out of all SAT prep centers is NOT okay. All actions have consequences, and David’s may hurt many teachers, students and staff here at ACI.
Sincerely,
Jessie Chen
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Dear Ms. King and the Rampage Advisor, It has come to our attention that one of your writers, David Brackbill, recently wrote an article in the Rampage highlighting ACI Institute, specifically mentioning our SAT courses.
Although we have no issues with Mr. Brackbill asserting his opinions in regard to SAT preparatory courses, we do find Mr. Brackbill’s assertion of facts to be misleading and negligent. Mr. Brackbill has never been a student here at ACI, nor has he ever taken a “UC Plus” program. For Mr. Brackbill to blatantly name ACI in his article is defamatory in nature, as he fails to take his journalistic responsibilities of reporting on truth seriously.
Although we are disappointed that Mr. Brackbill never took the opportunity to truly find out for himself what ACI stands for, we extend that opportunity now to any two of your journalism students. We invite you to send two staff
writers for a free weekend session of our SAT courses so that they may gain a better understanding of what our SAT courses entail and thus write a more accurate depiction of what ACI courses are about.
Furthermore, we would like a correction from the Rampage, clarifying that Mr. Brackbill has never been a student at ACI Institute.
Please feel free to contact us at 626-286-5903 so that we may further discuss this matter. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Yvette Wu
ACI Director, Temple City