Anybody work/worked for Kaplan?

[closertofine]

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OK, I posted this in the Lounge a while ago (moderators, delete away!), but didn't get any responses...so maybe it is more suited to this forum.

I just got a part-time job teaching the MCAT with them...and there are a few questions I kind of forgot to ask (well, thought it might be a little rude to ask right off the bat)...though I will ask the Kaplan people soon, I was wondering if anybody here has worked for them and could help me out...

So here are my questions...I know that the answers probably vary from state to state or even maybe from person to person... but here goes anyway:

Do you know about how many hours you start out working? How long does training take, and are you paid for it? What is the pay like in general?

OK, guess that's all I wanted to know right now...also, just if you liked the job or not...oh, and if med schools look at it as just another job (like waitressing or something) or as somewhat better...not that that really factors into my decision, as jobs are scarce around here anyway!

Thanks...

 

[MDmiracle]

Originally posted by karen44
OK, I posted this in the Lounge a while ago (moderators, delete away!), but didn't get any responses...so maybe it is more suited to this forum.

I just got a part-time job teaching the MCAT with them...and there are a few questions I kind of forgot to ask (well, thought it might be a little rude to ask right off the bat)...though I will ask the Kaplan people soon, I was wondering if anybody here has worked for them and could help me out...

So here are my questions...I know that the answers probably vary from state to state or even maybe from person to person... but here goes anyway:

Do you know about how many hours you start out working? How long does training take, and are you paid for it? What is the pay like in general?

OK, guess that's all I wanted to know right now...also, just if you liked the job or not...oh, and if med schools look at it as just another job (like waitressing or something) or as somewhat better...not that that really factors into my decision, as jobs are scarce around here anyway!

Thanks...

First, you start by working one type of class, i.e. biology, g.chem..etc. Classes are three hours and you get $17 per hour. Usually you get 3 hour prep time per class if this is the first time you have taught it. then an hour or so after that. it's $7 per hour for prep time. training is 40 hours and yes you get paid for it, but i'm not sure how much. This all is from oregion and this is also my first sessions. Also you can pick up a number of different classes to teach if you want. I also teach 2 dental admissions test classes. Feel free to PM me for any other questions. 😀

 

[UCLAMAN]

I work for kaplan....I'm teaching mcats and dat's...their TEL's are lame....I hate kaplan. the only reason i'm still with them is because the money is pretty good and i don'thave much to do before med school starts i guess.

I actually have to drive out like 30 miles to their satellite site right now and teach g-chem for their dat class...i'll get more into detail about what i hate about the course later.

 

[DoctorWannaBe]

Does anyone know what score do you have to get to teach for Kaplan or another test prep company, or what other qualifications they look for? I'm searching for a good-paying part time job and $17/hour doesn't sound too bad!

 

[ForceField]

I don't know if this is how it works for other Kaplan Centers, but for the one I taught at, your first cycle teaching you get the standard rate (17/hr), and after teacher evaluations, provided they are good, you get a raise (20/hour).

It was nice to teach Kaplan, although I do agree with UCLAMAN and didn't like the TELs. I personally prefer Princeton Review, but I didn't apply to teach for them. In any case, I'm not complaining, because the pay is darn good. 🙂

 

[closertofine]

I know, that salary is a pleasant surprise to me! Most jobs in my town for people with my qualifications pay only $8 or so an hour...so that $17 per hour would be nice!

According to the Kaplan person I talked to, you can teach any section of the MCAT in which you got an 11 or above. I'm not really sure what other qualifications they look for...though I did have to give a 5-minute presentation in which they looked for things like clarity, interaction with students, etc...

 

[closertofine]

Sorry, what is a TEL? I guess I sound pretty ignorant, but I don't think I've heard of that before.

 

[YoDude]

Kaplan is ok, I worked for them for a couple months... but you know what?
You are a sucker!
Working for Kaplan is a decent job- you teach stuff you already know, and you make a relatively good salary. But do you know how much money Kaplan is making just for giving you teaching materials and providing the Kaplan name?
I did some private lessons for them on top of teachin classes. I got paid $17 an hour, but the kid's parents were paying Kaplan about $110 an hour. That's a clean $93 an hour going straight to Kaplan. Personally I think it is ridiculous that people should pay so much for tutoring, but if they do, you might as well make it yourself....
I ended up seeking out students to private tutor on my own... slightly greater amount of work, same quality of teaching, cheaper price for the students, more money for me.

 

[omisoc]

Originally posted by YoDude

I ended up seeking out students to private tutor on my own... slightly greater amount of work, same quality of teaching, cheaper price for the students, more money for me.

I heard the same thing about Kaplan ripping their teachers off. how did you go about finding students though?

 

[UCLAMAN]

Originally posted by karen44
Sorry, what is a TEL? I guess I sound pretty ignorant, but I don't think I've heard of that before.

The TEL's are the Teacher Edition Lesson Plans that you will be doing your teaching from. Since the TELs are essentially filled in outlines of what the students have you pretty much have to go by the TELs when you teach. I just think they are really lame because there are a lot of times when the TELs just list definitions. Well...those definitions aren't written down in your students' books so you must waste their time by writing those definitions on the board(for example what each enzyme does and where it comes from). Such definitions are pure memorization...I think they are a waste of time to have the teacher write them out on the board. Also...things like mitosis and meiosis have lame diagrams that the teacher must draw. Why can't they just make the students' books to already include these drawings? Its a waste of class time for me to draw mitotic cells when the students can read for themselves the steps in mitosis.

Thats probably my biggest gripe about Kaplan...they go over things that students can either read on their own or are so simple that the instructor really doesn't need to go over it.

I have other issues with Kpalna but those are mainly confined to my center because our management is really really unorganized. Oh I also dislike the fact that instructors should try and teach the whole course. I dunno if thats how it is at other centers but at my center if you are an MCAT instructor you teach all the mcat courses. I have to act like an expert at a subject where I may not necessarily be an expert at. For example...I know nothing about the perceptual section on the DAT...I have to teach it this week. Now yes...I do have the TEL...but come on...if the students only knew I have absolutely no experience with the perceptual section do you think they would want me teaching it? Its like the blind leading the blind here. Now I know it is common practice for the mcat instructors to teach the dat perceptual sections at most centers...i just think its lame because as a student i want my instructor to be an expert at all facets of the test i am studying for. How can my instructor be an expert at the perceptual section if he/she has never taken it? Granted they can go off the TEL but still...I feel like its total misrepresentation.

I also don't like the fact that I was never trained and was essentially handed TELs and told to teach...but I guess thats one of those gripes that are restricted to my center and my managers.

 

[Violinrose]

No offense, UCLAMAN, but I don't think I would want you as my teacher. If you are so miserable, then you are doing your students a disservice.

I am a teacher with kaplan and so far I think it has been a great experience. Why? Because I love science and enjoy teaching.

The TEL, and everyone says this, is only as good as you make it. So, if it seems lame, then maybe you should try spicing it up.

And say what you want about the pay, but welcome to the world of teaching...that is just how it is.


Just my opinion.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Originally posted by Violinrose
No offense, UCLAMAN, but I don't think I would want you as my teacher. If you are so miserable, then you are doing your students a disservice.

I am a teacher with kaplan and so far I think it has been a great experience. Why? Because I love science and enjoy teaching.

The TEL, and everyone says this, is only as good as you make it. So, if it seems lame, then maybe you should try spicing it up.

And say what you want about the pay, but welcome to the world of teaching...that is just how it is.


Just my opinion.

Don't get me wrong...its not like I walk into the class and make it boring. I do try to make it interesting and I do care about my students. I enjoy teaching...I wouldn't have applied if I didn't. I just think the notes could be structured a little better. And like I said...a lot of my issues deal with management and how they run things at our office.

I love science too...I enjoy teaching the sciences...I don't like the fact that I have to teach verbal when I never broke 10 on the mcat but we're short staffed so who else is gonna teach verbal? Thats the part I don't like.

I love the kids and I like teaching. I have absolutely no issues about the pay. The pay is great IMO. I do care about my students...why do you think I don't want to teach DAT perceptual? If I teach that section I would feel really bad...kinda like I'm shortchanging the kids...They deserve a better perceptual teacher than someone who looks at the the TEL the day before and knows absolutely nothing about that section of the DAT(which is essentially what kaplan wants me to do). Theres where I have major issues.

I love making analogies about strawberry quik and solubility, cracking jokes, introducing them to Mr. BrNClHOF(pronounced brinklehoff), explaining physiology, etc. etc. I enjoy the teaching aspect. I come to class an hour early to answer any questions. i stay as long as it takes after class to answer any other questions. I bust my ass for my kids.

I DON'T like how management could care less about the students and are willing to put someone who has no experience with the DAT perceptual section in to teach it. I don't like how management notifies me a day or two before a class starts and then puts it on my platter. Or how my center waits so long to find a teacher that there is no instructor on the first day of class and the dates get pushed back and these students with jobs have to mark off an additional day on their calendar to come to a make up a session. I don't like the center making me drive 40 miles one way to teach at their satellite center. I hate how the center is managed. The TEL stuff is minor...I may not like how it is structured but I don't half ass when I teach it.

Don't be mistaken...when I am in the classroom I'm putting out all my energy and giving 100% into teaching. I've consistently gotten strongly agrees from all my students and great comments on my evals which are much better reviews than some of my coworkers that have been with Kaplan for some time have been getting.

Bottom line...I don't think you are in any position to tell me that I am doing my students a disservice. But hey...I guess thats just my opinion too.

 

[loyen]

I actually enjoy working for Kaplan - imagine that. But then again, my management was always really cool and my students were great too. Where I am - the midwest - you have to get a 10+ on a section to teach that subject, but it varies by region. In Cali, I think you have to have a 12, but I could be wrong.

I also think I like it since I have a bit "seniority" at the center. Most people don't teach for more then a year, but since I've been there longer I get first pick at the classes so I always get the subjects I want and the times that I want. It's sort of nice.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Originally posted by loyen
I actually enjoy working for Kaplan - imagine that. But then again, my management was always really cool and my students were great too. Where I am - the midwest - you have to get a 10+ on a section to teach that subject, but it varies by region. In Cali, I think you have to have a 12, but I could be wrong.

I also think I like it since I have a bit "seniority" at the center. Most people don't teach for more then a year, but since I've been there longer I get first pick at the classes so I always get the subjects I want and the times that I want. It's sort of nice.

So you only teach the subjects you are good at, right? At my center you teach the entire course. So here I am teaching these kids verbal when they will probably score better than me on it. I don't like that idea. Thats not very fair to the kids. I think management does the kids a disservice by making me teach that section. I don't want to teach it but who else will? they claim..."we are short staffed" they say. Well sweet jesus, hire more damn instructors I say!

 

[loyen]

I have, at one point or another, taught every section. But we have more teachers here then we know what to do with, so I only teach what I want to teach. Except verbal. Nobody wants to teach verbal, myself included, but I do it anyways for the extra dollars. And since those lessons are short I can usually finish extra early.

It sounds like my management is getting better by the second. Maybe I should send them a thank you note.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Originally posted by loyen
I have, at one point or another, taught every section. But we have more teachers here then we know what to do with, so I only teach what I want to teach. Except verbal. Nobody wants to teach verbal, myself included, but I do it anyways for the extra dollars. And since those lessons are short I can usually finish extra early.

It sounds like my management is getting better by the second. Maybe I should send them a thank you note.

You should...I wish I had good management. My frustrations with them run deep. Ah well...just a few more weeks and I'll be in Chicago and loaded!!! 🙂

 

[Mistress S]

A few quick questions for you Kaplan teachers: what if I only wanted to teach verbal? I am an English major and I haven't taken the MCAT yet (10 more days!), but I like this section best and have never gotten less than a 12 on it on any practice test. I think it would be fun to teach and the pay sounds great. Is it possible to only teach one section like this?

Also, I know it's a part-time job, but how much time do you actually spend a week doing it? I already have a part-time job I love, but when I graduate I will need to work more and was thinking maybe I could combine Kaplan teaching with my current job; however, I could only do this if Kaplan took up <20 hrs/wk. If it was something I could do for one or two nights a week, that would be a great way to pick up some extra $$.

Finally, are the qualifications really only >10 in a section you are going to teach? Do they just use your MCAT scores or do they test you themselves? And did you just call them asking about positions, or do they advertise when they need people? Just curious. Thanks! 🙂

 

[DD214_DOC]

So if I took a Kaplan course in January to prepare for the April MCAT, I would be paying $1300 for basically the materials I can buy at Barnes & Noble, and the services of another student who did well on the exam?

 

[loyen]

If you're taking the Kaplan class right now, some centers will accept your practice test scores to teach. otherwise, you'll need to wait for the scores to come back and bring your sheet to the center at the audition. Yes, there is an audition, but its pretty easy - just a little speech or something to prove you don't drool while speaking.

And you can teach only verbal, but you won't work much - probably only a few sessions per semester. but the moneys good so it might be worth it.

Go to http://www.kaplan.com/jobs/index.html and fill out the online form - if you qualify, you get an audition invitation via email in a few days.