Dr. Ross MCAT - I'm starting today

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HumphreyHH

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Ok, so I've read good and bad stuff about online tutors, but no one seems to have anything specific to say about Dr. Ross MCAT. I had my free demonstration with him, I was impressed, so I'm going for it.

In the past, I've worked with Kaplan, Princeton Review, and five private online tutors (Leonardo R. from www.wyzant.com, Dr. K. in Denver, Ted Joas from www.transtutors.com, Jeff Rose in Boston, and Jennifer Hart in Columbus) and I'm not getting over the 30-mark. Kaplan gave me my money back, which was good, but I just want the increase in score. One warning I'll give you all: Leonardo R. looked good because the website says that he was "certified in MCAT"... but when you think about it, what does that mean?😕 Who certifies the MCAT?😕

Anyway, I'm willing to devote as much time as I need to (both of my parents are doctors and I gotta carry on the tradition), so I'm going for it.

So far, the format seems pretty good. Dr. Ross said that he'll e-mail the materials before each session, and we'll be meeting on Google Chat (GChat) for our sessions. Wish me luck.
 
I think a lot of us SDNers are skeptical of private tutors who charge you a ton of money. Keep us updated on how things turn out!
 
Ok, so I've read good and bad stuff about online tutors, but no one seems to have anything specific to say about Dr. Ross MCAT. I had my free demonstration with him, I was impressed, so I'm going for it.

In the past, I've worked with Kaplan, Princeton Review, and five private online tutors (Leonardo R. from www.wyzant.com, Dr. K. in Denver, Ted Joas from www.transtutors.com, Jeff Rose in Boston, and Jennifer Hart in Columbus) and I'm not getting over the 30-mark. Kaplan gave me my money back, which was good, but I just want the increase in score. One warning I'll give you all: Leonardo R. looked good because the website says that he was "certified in MCAT"... but when you think about it, what does that mean?😕 Who certifies the MCAT?😕

Anyway, I'm willing to devote as much time as I need to (both of my parents are doctors and I gotta carry on the tradition), so I'm going for it.

So far, the format seems pretty good. Dr. Ross said that he'll e-mail the materials before each session, and we'll be meeting on Google Chat (GChat) for our sessions. Wish me luck.

You're paying someone a ton of money to do stuff over gchat? It's going to be a bot.

Sorry dude, but I can't help but see these posts and think *shill*.
 
Ok, so I've read good and bad stuff about online tutors, but no one seems to have anything specific to say about Dr. Ross MCAT. I had my free demonstration with him, I was impressed, so I'm going for it.

In the past, I've worked with Kaplan, Princeton Review, and five private online tutors (Leonardo R. from www.wyzant.com, Dr. K. in Denver, Ted Joas from www.transtutors.com, Jeff Rose in Boston, and Jennifer Hart in Columbus) and I'm not getting over the 30-mark. Kaplan gave me my money back, which was good, but I just want the increase in score. One warning I'll give you all: Leonardo R. looked good because the website says that he was "certified in MCAT"... but when you think about it, what does that mean?😕 Who certifies the MCAT?😕

Anyway, I'm willing to devote as much time as I need to (both of my parents are doctors and I gotta carry on the tradition), so I'm going for it.

So far, the format seems pretty good. Dr. Ross said that he'll e-mail the materials before each session, and we'll be meeting on Google Chat (GChat) for our sessions. Wish me luck.


How did it turn out? I am considering taking him. I would recommend you get skype or something so you can see him and it would be easier for both of you.
 
If you need private tutors to get over 30, then you're doing something wrong.

Ridiculous comment. Some people need private tutors their whole life to make it through undergrad, if you can't see this point you probably need a private tutor on life and logic.
 
Ridiculous comment. Some people need private tutors their whole life to make it through undergrad, if you can't see this point you probably need a private tutor on life and logic.

The day my doctor has a private tutor for medicine is the day that his comment is ridiculous.
 
The day my doctor has a private tutor for medicine is the day that his comment is ridiculous.

Someone needs tutoring in logic. Not once did I need a tutor in undergrad, I did not go to a majority of my classes that didn't count attendance as part of the grade. There are people who work extremely hard and study their brains out and sometimes still cannot understand content and hire a private tutor. I respect that, I'd rather have a hard working and caring doctor as opposed to a lazy one who's a genius. No one was talkin about medicine here, if you haven't developed efficient study habits by the time you're in med school, then I somewhat agree but you don't have to bag on people who work hard. In all honestly I'd rather be more disciplined and hard working.
 
The day my doctor has a private tutor for medicine

Modus, every single doctor has a tutor. They're called mentors in the hospital setting, whether it's your resident, manager, director, etc. It's so closed-minded of you to think that you know everything. I'm glad I'm not the first person here to argue with you. How can a person learn if they're not taught? Why are there professors and supervisors? Why are there attending doctors?

That's not why I'm writing today, but I just wanted to say that you're wrong Modus, and kind of a jerk.

I'm writing to report on my Session 1 with Dr. Ross. It went well, but I have a lot of work ahead. His system is pretty elaborate, and I see the benefit but I'm not sure if I'll be able to stick to it in a timed setting. I'm a very slow reader, and I like to read the whole passage carefully before I get to the questions. Dr. Ross suggested that I only read the top lines of each paragraph, and we were still able to answer all the questions. The real question is: will I keep doing this when the clock is running?

He's a really smart guy, and he genuinely seems to want to help me. Other tutors were, like, reciting lines from a play, but Dr. Ross really makes sure I understand a concept before we move on.

Ok, that's all for now. I'll report back after Session 2 and more practice.
 
Ridiculous comment. Some people need private tutors their whole life to make it through undergrad, if you can't see this point you probably need a private tutor on life and logic.


Frankly, if someone is unable to learn to work independently, that's a major problem. Sure, you have physicians who will precept you in the clinical setting but this kind of description of an individual reminds me of a med student that ended up rotating through my hospital. She was absolutely clueless. She rotated with one of the medical directors. She did so poorly, he not only didn't invite her back to continue her rotations but the hospital terminated any relationship with that school...permanently. (She was the first from that school to rotate at this particular hospital and when the medical director called the hospital's director of medical training about the student, he promptly closed the door on that school for good.) Medical students who cannot work independently are not likely to impress their supervising attendings or residents. Sure, you have to be supervised but you shouldn't need to be tutored. Likewise, for the MCAT, someone unable to figure this stuff out on his/her own probably isn't going to get much out of someone else's review of the material because the fact is that that person cannot be in the testing room with you. VR is about reasoning skills, not content. Tutoring BS or PS is one thing. Tutoring VR is a very different animal entirely.
 
Frankly, if someone is unable to learn to work independently, that's a major problem.

I agree, but that's why you LEARN things from teachers and professors. If you just read a book, Apumic, you cannot be a doctor. You're trying to make me feel weak because I need help, and I refuse to feel weak. Dr. Ross has been giving me excellent tips on where to look for answers, how to classify question types, etc.

We've just completed the Strategy Session #3, and I really like the system.

Here's an example that we did earlier today:

Passage: "All of the people in the room are women."
Answer Choice: "All of the people in the room are named Sarah."

That answer choice would be a horrible inference. Just because someone is a women does not mean that person is named Sarah. Right?

The very same answer choice would be an excellent supporting statement (incorporation), because if a person is named Sarah then they are most likely a woman.

I was ignoring the question types (a mistake) and Dr. Ross showed me that they are very important. Classifying questions before I do them has bumped my up three points on the MCAT... that is HUGE.

Anyway, I'm happy. I'll write more when I have more time.
 
I agree, but that's why you LEARN things from teachers and professors. If you just read a book, Apumic, you cannot be a doctor. You're trying to make me feel weak because I need help, and I refuse to feel weak. Dr. Ross has been giving me excellent tips on where to look for answers, how to classify question types, etc.

We've just completed the Strategy Session #3, and I really like the system.

Here's an example that we did earlier today:

Passage: "All of the people in the room are women."
Answer Choice: "All of the people in the room are named Sarah."

That answer choice would be a horrible inference. Just because someone is a women does not mean that person is named Sarah. Right?

The very same answer choice would be an excellent supporting statement (incorporation), because if a person is named Sarah then they are most likely a woman.

I was ignoring the question types (a mistake) and Dr. Ross showed me that they are very important. Classifying questions before I do them has bumped my up three points on the MCAT... that is HUGE.

Anyway, I'm happy. I'll write more when I have more time.

Ever considered taking a class in logic? That may be more helpful than taking these MCAT tutor courses...

Honestly, if you are scoring very low (<= 20) or below 7 on sciences, you should really go back to school, take more upper level courses, and come back to MCAT later. MCAT is more on analysis now than ever, so if you don't have strong basics, you can and will score lower on the real one.
 
Wow...trying to make someone feel bad because they need private tutoring? Pretty disgusting if you ask me.

Op how did you do on the mcats?
 
I'm jobless in NYC for the summer, and I was thinking about trying my hand at private tutoring (without charging tons of money).
I'm pretty new to SDN so I was wondering where (or if) it is appropriate to advertise availability as an MCAT/orgo tutor.

I'd love advice on how to connect with SDNers in need of some extra help!
 
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