Kaplan mcat course or TPR mcat course for a student with bad science basics

[fastfingers]

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I'm looking to take either the Kaplan MCAT course or the princeton review MCAT course (or others if you could convince). I'm taking this course in Baltimore, MD just in case people know of the teachers in Baltimore.

Anyways, my biggest problem right now is that I don't know my basic sciences too well. I'm hoping to take the course not only as a refresher, but as if I'm learning it for the first time. In the past, I've had troubles remember/truly understanding underlying concepts in genetics and also biochem (I have no idea how to kreb cycle works and how the whole oxidation/reduction thing works exactly). So which class out of TPR or Kaplan covers the material more in depth and more complete so that I can learn the material as if I'm learning it the first time? The main thing I want to get out of the course isn't just to practice, but to learn all my material.

I've tried looking at the biology book of the EK section and so far, the biochem and the genetics section is confusing me way too much.

 

[SN2ed]

Well, I can't tell you which course based on the actual classroom. There is too much variation in teacher quality from area to area. Looking at this purely from a content review books perspective, I'd go with TPR. Overall, their course books are far better than Kaplan's material.

 

[medready]

Hey fingers since I had both TPR and Kaplan, I think I can help answer your question. If your looking for a more indepth understanding of the material than you should go with TPR. With TPR you will you more class time hours reviewing the material and books that are very indepth. I hope that help you but if you have anymore questions just holla

 

[BlueElmo]

Yes, TPR goes pretty in depth with their materials, especially Biological sciences. But I'm sure Kaplan is good as well.

 

[fastfingers]

Thanks for the answers.

I hear that TPR covers more indepth, but does it in a more confusing way than Kaplan.

medready: Thanks for the response. If covering more indepth wasn't a factor, would you recommend Kaplan or Princeton? Also, was TPR or Kaplan easier to understand?

Thanks.

 

[fastfingers]

From what I hear, I think I'll end up taking TPR. Anybody with objections based on experience?

 

[G1SG2]

From what I hear, I think I'll end up taking TPR. Anybody with objections based on experience?

Not so fast! What area are you planning to take the course in? I'd really make sure about TPR classes in your areas, and would call and ask if I could possibly sit in one of them to see how it is. I'm saying this because I had a horrible experience with TPR along with many of my friends. TPR here is terrible, the teachers sucked, the local office didn't care when everyone complained, etc, etc. Just make sure you're getting your money's worth.

 

[Protactinium]

TBR books on chemistry and physics. Much cheaper and your mileage WON'T vary.

 

[G1SG2]

TBR books on chemistry and physics. Much cheaper and your mileage WON'T vary.

I agree. I haven't cracked open my TPR review books that came with the course. I'm using TBR for PS and EK for everything else. OP, if you really just want to learn the basic sciences, I suggest you save your money and purchase TBR Chem & Physics books-they're gold. Great content review with tons of MCAT style passages. If you're really looking for online material, then you should go for Kaplan's Online Course (which is what I wish I had done) because TPR does not compare to Kaplan in terms of online resources.

 

[fastfingers]

Well, my biggest problem is staying motivated to stuy for MCAT. I feel like I really need a course to keep me on track. I'm not sure who to ask or how. Do TPR change instructors every term or do they always stay the same? If they change, then it's hard to know if the instructors are good or not.

anyways, I'm in baltimore if anybody know anything about the instructors there.

 

[Protactinium]

Doesn't Kaplan sell their book on Amazon? You can get that for 60 bucks or so, TPR have their own proprietary material not available to the general market. Their material is good (I have them), but as for learning from scratch, TBR is better. The only advantage I see in a class is forced motivation, and someone to mark your essays. You can buy their stuff off the secondary market (people that have taken the course and are dumping their supplies).

 

[fastfingers]

Why would you say you hate the material?

I really think I need some forced motivation. I can't even seem to read the EK books.

 

[Appless]

Well, my biggest problem is staying motivated to stuy for MCAT. I feel like I really need a course to keep me on track. I'm not sure who to ask or how. Do TPR change instructors every term or do they always stay the same? If they change, then it's hard to know if the instructors are good or not.

anyways, I'm in baltimore if anybody know anything about the instructors there.

They change a lot. I took TPR and imo it was the biggest waste of time and money ever. It all depends on your teachers on how good or ****ty the class will be. As far as books are concerned i guess TPR is better then kaplan but the TPR books go way too much in depth and are much to wordy compared to other stuff like EK. If you badly needed science review like you saty, TPR may be good for you due to the depth it goes into. For me I didnt need this as much and was much happier with the EK material.

 

[capn jazz]

Why would you say you hate the material?

I really think I need some forced motivation. I can't even seem to read the EK books.

Honestly, EK is the lightest, most colorful MCAT book available. Kaplan and TPR are a LOT drier and more difficult to read. If you can't read EK, you're not going to be able to read Kaplan/TPR. The instructors aren't going to come to your house and make you sit down and do your reading. You'll probably end up not doing it anyway and wasting your money on the course.

Get the EK books, go to a coffee shop, get some coffee, and tell yourself you need to read Chapter X today and you're not leaving til you do it. Honestly, reading each chapter of EK through twice takes me 2 hours. It sucks, but you have to do it. Make a schedule and stick to it.

 

[fastfingers]

Well, I tried reading the bio EK book and I started on biochem and went to the genetics chapter and I was pretty confused with the material.

 

[capn jazz]

Just read it in order and see how you do with answering the in-chapter questions. If you're super confused on a topic, post about it in the study questions forum, or pull up the wikipedia page to see a basic summary of it. Maybe biochem/genetics aren't your favorite topics or strong suits, but don't give up based on 2 chapters. What's confusing about it?

 

[fastfingers]

well, i think they seem to jump right into it without too much explaining. I'm also always seem to be confused with the oxidation/reduction thing. They also say a lot of processes, but I have no idea why it does what it does and what drives it to act the way it does.

 

[fastfingers]

During the course, do you do more practice in kaplan's course or princeton course? Since Princeton goes more indepth, would this also mean that kaplan spend more time on teaching basic concepts?

I haven't been able to get a direct answer on my original question about which class is better assuming I know nothing.

thanks

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

During the course, do you do more practice in kaplan's course or princeton course? Since Princeton goes more indepth, would this also mean that kaplan spend more time on teaching basic concepts?

I haven't been able to get a direct answer on my original question about which class is better assuming I know nothing.

thanks

You might not get a straight answer, because courses vary from location to location. For specifics, you are probably better off asking people at your school. You might want to post where you are planning to take a class, and then hopefully you'll get a more specific answer.

 

[apumic]

well, i think they seem to jump right into it without too much explaining. I'm also always seem to be confused with the oxidation/reduction thing. They also say a lot of processes, but I have no idea why it does what it does and what drives it to act the way it does.

If you have specific areas of weakness and are unsure of whether one of these courses would really help you to address them, why not try your school's (free or low-cost) tutoring service? Oftentimes, those services are available for free to current students and your chances of getting a 1-on-1 tutor who is just as good as your average Kaplan or TPR instructor are actually probably not too bad from what I've seen in some TPR and Kaplan instructors. I'd go the less-expensive route on this and use a combination of your original textbooks and an MCAT review book along with a set of MCAT practice questions (such as EK's 1001 passages books). If you find you still need add'l help, you can always spend your $1500-7000 on an MCAT review course later but my guess would be if you faithfully follow a plan and utilize the less expensive resources available to you, you'll be just fine -- not to mention a heck of a lot happier with your bank account at the end of the day...

 

[linkin06]

neither -- buy the kaplan books, study on your own, and practice aamc tests