Kaplan MCAT Teaching Opportunity?

[bayleigh]

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Hey guys,

So I recently received an email from Vivian at Kaplan regarding teaching for Kaplan's MCAT course. At first, I thought it would be a great idea since it's a part time position, which I need. However, my friend is strongly encouraging me to not apply for the job. He says that everyone gets the same email, and they are just trying to recruit cheap teachers since the pay isn't much.

But I'm not really sure if I can take his word on it. It says clearly online that all instructors are required to score over the 90th percentile of each section, but my friend says that they are recruiting anyone they can, and that he has friends who have scored in the low 20's and are getting the same email.

Is this just a mass email that everyone is getting? Are Kaplan's instructors really scoring that low on their MCATs? I doubt that's the case, but I just wanted to make sure before I apply for the job. Thanks.

 

[daleader]

From what I know, Kaplan only recruits students with 90th+ percentile. I don't know what the pay is but I highly doubt that its a scam (can't believe that a person with low 20s received this offer).

By the way, you can always ask them.

 

[gettheleadout]

http://www.kaptest.com/Teach-for-Kaplan/Home/faq.html#qualifications

 

[Vivian @ Kaplan Test Prep]

Hi bayleigh (and everyone!)
I'm Vivian, a member of the Talent Acquisition Team at Kaplan Test Prep. I thought I'd provide a bit of insight into our recruitment and hiring processes. While it is true that we are always looking for talented individuals to join our ever-growing team, we do have a score qualification policy of 90th percentile.

Kaplan does not know how you scored on your official MCAT unless you tell us, but we can look for former Kaplan students who scored well on full-length practice tests in our courses. Because we are confident that our practice tests predict test-day success, we are comfortable using 90th percentile Kaplan or AAMC practice test scores as qualifying. We will sometimes reach out to score-qualified Kaplan alumni in areas in which we have openings to let them know they meet that initial qualification. It's worth noting, however, that score qualification is only the first screening step, and we also require a short teaching sample called an audition, an interview with the hiring manager, and a longer teaching sample with interview questions. All in all, we end up hiring about 1 in 10 applicants.

Like many other companies, we also sometimes have to guess as to who may be qualified to teach for us when we are hiring in a specific area, and we may also reach out to honors pre-health groups, medical students, or other individuals to let them know about local opportunities. However, anyone who expresses interest then has to meet our requirements, including achieving a score in the 90th percentile, either on the official MCAT or on Kaplan or AAMC practice tests.

Our positions are part-time, with flexible hours. We pay a starting rate of $20-25/hour for teaching in most areas, which is competitive for a part-time, entry-level position. We do have a pay-for-performance program that allows our instructors to earn up to a $10/hour raise per year. Our employees receive free or discounted future prep, including for the USMLE, and national cell phone discounts.

Bayleigh, I encourage you to respond to the email you recieved with any questions you may have.
You can also visit www.kaptest.com/teach or email teacher.recruitment (at) kaplan.com with any other questions.

Thanks!
Vivian

 

[Blueprint MCAT Tutor]

However, my friend is strongly encouraging me to not apply for the job. He says that everyone gets the same email, and they are just trying to recruit cheap teachers since the pay isn't much.

I was at Kaplan for nearly a decade and ran their KTDP (Kaplan Teacher Development Program) for many years. I hired and trained hundreds and hundreds of MCAT teachers over the years.

Like everything, it has pro's and con's.

Simply applying costs you nothing, as does the interview (beyond a little bit of time). It can't hurt and if you have concerns, you can just ask them directly in the interview. Seriously, don't just take rumors or "what I heard". Ask them directly.

Feel free to PM if you'd like.