Kaplan

[JDAD]

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I tried posting this in MCAT, but noone is there. I just need a quick answer. With the KAPLAN course, does the same teacher teach all of the subjects, or is it like TPR with a different teacher for each subject?

Thanks

JD

 

[benb2099]

I tried posting this in MCAT, but noone is there. I just need a quick answer. With the KAPLAN course, does the same teacher teach all of the subjects, or is it like TPR with a different teacher for each subject?

Thanks

JD

same teacher

 

[dr.z]

I tried posting this in MCAT, but noone is there. I just need a quick answer. With the KAPLAN course, does the same teacher teach all of the subjects, or is it like TPR with a different teacher for each subject?

Thanks

JD

I had different teachers for each subject.

 

[JDAD]

conflict

 

[dr.z]

conflict

May depend on location.

 

[JDAD]

that's my conclusion, oh well, thanks anyway, does anyone know about the examkracker course? One teacher of multiple teachers?

 

[uptoolate]

I worked for Kaplan briefly. It depends. To qualify to teach a subject, a potential instructor generally must score over 90-95% in each subject on a past exam. Finding those people coupled with an interest and ability towards teaching is difficult given the number of instructors needed. So, you're probably more likely to get a variety of teachers ("specialists") during any given MCAT course. The "generalists" are out there and tend to be found near, but are not limited to, places with top tier medical schools. Plus, teaching an entire course is a HUGE time commitment.

 

[45408]

I had different teachers for each subject.

Yep. My verbal teacher was really hot too.

 

[brats800]

my kaplan class had different people for most of the sections....i think we had one guy who taught more than one. but yeah, they have to score high enough to qualify to teach a section, so most don't teach them all. the problem is when you get the guy who scored like a 15 in science and a 6 in verbal....he didn't explain stuff super well. haha. anyway, i'd take kaplan again if i had it to do over. i think it helped a lot.

 

[MeowMix]

For every company, the teacher depends on who is locally available and qualified (and how desperate the company is, i.e. will they use a GRE verbal teacher for MCAT verbal). If someone is capable of teaching everything, they often teach everything. If they can only teach bio, that's what they teach.

My personal preference is to teach everything; that way I can tie together concepts and strategies between subjects, and reinforce ideas. For example, polarity is a central concept that really helps you figure out a lot of questions in bio, chem, org, and physics. When you see it from all those perspectives, you understand how important it is.

 

[acl3623]

i had different teachers. a word of caution though, if i did it again i would actually find out who teaches (if youre near a big undergrad, chances are itll be a student from there..)because i went into kaplan wanting to get better in PS since i had had chem 1 so long ago and i had a douchebag TA who sucked at teaching physics...anyways so i show up to kaplan and guess who's teaching all the PS sections? My douchebag TA!!! needless to say, i learned little from him and ended up with a 7 on the test....

 

[JDAD]

Thanks people

 

[QofQuimica]

I tried posting this in MCAT, but noone is there. I just need a quick answer. With the KAPLAN course, does the same teacher teach all of the subjects, or is it like TPR with a different teacher for each subject?

Thanks

JD

Sorry, JD, I didn't see your post on the MCAT site or I'd have replied. It depends on the instructor, as many people have already said. Generally Kaplan MCAT instructors are expected to have scored at least an 11 for any subject they teach. Most instructors do specialize (physical science, biological science, or verbal/writing) as at TPR. Some do teach the entire course from start to finish, which is what I do. Sometimes I also sub for the other classes if there isn't another instructor available.

Most students don't seem to have a strong preference one way or the other concerning having a single teacher versus several. Some students even seem to prefer having the specialists since those instructors become "experts" in their subjects. Other students prefer having the same instructor for the entire course; if you are one of them, then you should ask your local center about whether there are any classes taught by a single instructor. You can also ask to meet with the instructor or ask your friends who have taken the course previously who their favorite instructors are.

Either way, remember that the students who get the most out of the Kaplan course are the ones that work hard and complete all of the assignments. The instructor is there as an aid to your studies, but s/he can't do the work for you!

 

[JDAD]

Thanks. I get the impression you think I am retaking the MCAT. NO FLIPPIN WAY!!!!!! I am happy with my score. It's just like yours, it adds up to seven, except the four is the second number in mine, not the first.

Thanks for the help, I now have a better idea of how Kaplan works.

Sorry, JD, I didn't see your post on the MCAT site or I'd have replied. It depends on the instructor, as many people have already said. Generally Kaplan MCAT instructors are expected to have scored at least an 11 for any subject they teach. Most instructors do specialize (physical science, biological science, or verbal/writing) as at TPR. Some do teach the entire course from start to finish, which is what I do. Sometimes I also sub for the other classes if there isn't another instructor available.

Most students don't seem to have a strong preference one way or the other concerning having a single teacher versus several. Some students even seem to prefer having the specialists since those instructors become "experts" in their subjects. Other students prefer having the same instructor for the entire course; if you are one of them, then you should ask your local center about whether there are any classes taught by a single instructor. You can also ask to meet with the instructor or ask your friends who have taken the course previously who their favorite instructors are.

Either way, remember that the students who get the most out of the Kaplan course are the ones that work hard and complete all of the assignments. The instructor is there as an aid to your studies, but s/he can't do the work for you!

 

[QofQuimica]

Thanks. I get the impression you think I am retaking the MCAT. NO FLIPPIN WAY!!!!!! I am happy with my score. It's just like yours, it adds up to seven, except the four is the second number in mine, not the first.

Thanks for the help, I now have a better idea of how Kaplan works.

Ok, I have absolutely no idea who's doing what. I don't know anyone on here except Gujudoc. Actually, I assumed you were taking the MCAT for the first time and that's why you were researching prep courses. 😛

 

[gujuDoc]

Ok, I have absolutely no idea who's doing what. I don't know anyone on here except Gujudoc. Actually, I assumed you were taking the MCAT for the first time and that's why you were researching prep courses. 😛

hahahaha

Actually, I think he/she wants to teach at a prep company like ya, or is gathering info for someone else.

Although, knowing JDADs score, from being on the board on the day everyone got scores, I am willing to bet he/she wants to teach.

 

[X.O.]

To anyone that teaches at Kaplan, any tips for the audition. I have one this Saturday.

I found that they pay SAT teachers 18/hr and the MCAT instructors 22/hr. Seems kind of a miniscule difference considering how fact intensive the MCAT is compared to the SAT. I think I would rather teach some snotty high school kids if I didnt have to brush up again on G-chem, orgo, and physics 😀.

 

[DrYo12]

When I auditioned, they wanted you to teach something for 5 minutes. Be original. I have braces, so I taught a lesson in how to floss when you have braces.

 

[45408]

To anyone that teaches at Kaplan, any tips for the audition. I have one this Saturday.

I found that they pay SAT teachers 18/hr and the MCAT instructors 22/hr. Seems kind of a miniscule difference considering how fact intensive the MCAT is compared to the SAT. I think I would rather teach some snotty high school kids if I didnt have to brush up again on G-chem, orgo, and physics 😀.

Nah, the HS kids don't want to be there - Mom and Dad paid for the class so that they'd get into a prestigious school. On the other hand, all the people I know who took Kaplan (myself included) had to pay for it on their own.

 

[QofQuimica]

To anyone that teaches at Kaplan, any tips for the audition. I have one this Saturday.

I found that they pay SAT teachers 18/hr and the MCAT instructors 22/hr. Seems kind of a miniscule difference considering how fact intensive the MCAT is compared to the SAT. I think I would rather teach some snotty high school kids if I didnt have to brush up again on G-chem, orgo, and physics 😀.

I've taught SAT also, but I much prefer to teach college students for exactly the reason that Prowler said. Plus, to make matters worse, if the students weren't doing their work or otherwise behaving, my center manager made me call their parents. This did not make anyone happy, including me. And the subject material is just more interesting for MCAT versus SAT.

For your audition, they are just looking to see how well you think on your feet and whether you are comfortable in front of a crowd. It doesn't really matter what you talk about. I think that I discussed three different ways to tie your shoes.

 

[paradiselost]

I'm applying now for teaching MCAT at both TPR and Kaplan. Anybody have experience with who's a better company to work for in terms of friendliness to employees, salary, etc?

Thanks!

 

[oldman]

I worked for Kaplan briefly. It depends. To qualify to teach a subject, a potential instructor generally must score over 90-95% in each subject on a past exam. Finding those people coupled with an interest and ability towards teaching is difficult given the number of instructors needed. So, you're probably more likely to get a variety of teachers ("specialists") during any given MCAT course. The "generalists" are out there and tend to be found near, but are not limited to, places with top tier medical schools. Plus, teaching an entire course is a HUGE time commitment.

i went to a kaplan course by hopkins ugrad, the subjects would each have different teachers.

 

[Peterock]

i went to a kaplan course by hopkins ugrad, the subjects would each have different teachers.

as a tpr teacher... i think kaplan pays a little bit more (usually 1-3 bucks/hr more) as well as reimbursing slightly more for prep time etc.

both of them pay really well for part time jobs

i like the idea of teaching premeds organic chemistry...
(and watching the tiny little gears weakly turn)

 

[gujuDoc]

I'm applying now for teaching MCAT at both TPR and Kaplan. Anybody have experience with who's a better company to work for in terms of friendliness to employees, salary, etc?

Thanks!

As far as friendliness and stuff goes, it depends on the specific test centers in your area.

 

[Ozymandsss]

I am a teacher for Kaplan and I teach EVERYTHING. Its a huge time commitment. I enjoy it, but it requires you really know your stuff which, in a lot of ways, entails prepping for the MCAT all over again. Think about that before you do it.

 

[SailCrazy]

I am a teacher for Kaplan and I teach EVERYTHING. Its a huge time commitment. I enjoy it, but it requires you really know your stuff which, in a lot of ways, entails prepping for the MCAT all over again. Think about that before you do it.

Where is the best place to look/go in order to find deals or coupons for the courses?

 

[SailCrazy]

How is it that this was a perfectly lively Kaplan thread until I posted my "where to get a discount" question, and now everyone's gone?!?


Show me some ($$$ saving) love! 🙂

 

[QofQuimica]

How is it that this was a perfectly lively Kaplan thread until I posted my "where to get a discount" question, and now everyone's gone?!?


Show me some ($$$ saving) love! 🙂

This question has been answered in several other threads. Kaplan gives scholarships or discounts for students who have financial need. You should go to your local center and ask to see the manager to find out whether you'd qualify. Also, you may be able to get a discount by joining your school's pre-med club. The one at my university even auctions off a course that Kaplan donates to them to the highest bidder. Hope this helps.

 

[SailCrazy]

This question has been answered in several other threads. Kaplan gives scholarships or discounts for students who have financial need. You should go to your local center and ask to see the manager to find out whether you'd qualify.

Thanks for the info. Its always nice to be lectured on the virtues of the "search" feature by someone who's been around for a month! 😛
I'd seen some vague info on financial aid (I already have a bachelors degree, so I rarely qualify for much aid) but not much on any discounts.

Also, you may be able to get a discount by joining your school's pre-med club. The one at my university even auctions off a course that Kaplan donates to them to the highest bidder. Hope this helps.

That's a great idea! I'll see if we can get that pulled together in our club.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[QofQuimica]

Thanks for the info. Its always nice to be lectured on the virtues of the "search" feature by someone who's been around for a month! 😛
I'd seen some vague info on financial aid (I already have a bachelors degree, so I rarely qualify for much aid) but not much on any discounts.

That's a great idea! I'll see if we can get that pulled together in our club.

Thanks! 🙂

I wasn't intending to "lecture" you on the search feature or anything else. And I'm not sure why the length of time I've been a member of the site is relevant. But you did ask why no one was answering your question, and considering that I have posted an answer to that question several times now during my brief month of membership, I'm guessing that might be the reason. I'm not trying to cast any aspersions on your searching abilities. Mm kay? 😍

 

[SailCrazy]

I wasn't intending to "lecture" you on the search feature or anything else. And I'm not sure why the length of time I've been a member of the site is relevant. But you did ask why no one was answering your question, and considering that I have posted an answer to that question several times now during my brief month of membership, I'm guessing that might be the reason. I'm not trying to cast any aspersions on your searching abilities. Mm kay? 😍

Definitely! That was meant to be sarcastic - I am also quick to point out to when a particular piece of information has been posted before - especially by me! 😀

Sorry for the confusion! 👍

 

[NeuroChicMD]

So, what do we think... is it well worth it to spring the big bucks for the Kaplan Prep class, or can you gain the same info from doing practice tests out of the Kaplan review book on your own? Does it make more sense to take the Kaplan class if you're RE-TAKING the MCAT because of their "money back guarantee" if you don't raise your test score? Just curious on everyone's opinions on these things... 🙂

 

[gujuDoc]

So, what do we think... is it well worth it to spring the big bucks for the Kaplan Prep class, or can you gain the same info from doing practice tests out of the Kaplan review book on your own? Does it make more sense to take the Kaplan class if you're RE-TAKING the MCAT because of their "money back guarantee" if you don't raise your test score? Just curious on everyone's opinions on these things... 🙂

I think a course can definitely be helpful in that it allows you access to many extra practice tests and in kaplan's case, topical tests and other review material. TPR is also very similar in that it does the same sort of thing.

The material they provide you is pretty much what makes the money worth it. The actual lectures are often just review and tips for strategy. But the review is just that, stuff you already learned previously. The course's greatest advantage is the material provided.

 

[nicholonious]

So, what do we think... is it well worth it to spring the big bucks for the Kaplan Prep class, or can you gain the same info from doing practice tests out of the Kaplan review book on your own? Does it make more sense to take the Kaplan class if you're RE-TAKING the MCAT because of their "money back guarantee" if you don't raise your test score? Just curious on everyone's opinions on these things... 🙂

I'm doing the money back guarantee and after doing the course once before, it would just be repeating many of the methods/strategies learned previously. The big positive side to kaplan compared to other test prep companies is that it has a plethora of practice tests and subject tests, something worth reviewing for your moneys worth.

If I am thinking about those 15 minute practice tests that are spaced between lesson plans in the review book, I would say that that is not enough, its only glimpses into certain material (ie. verbal, ochem, bio, etc.) Take advantage of the rest of what they have to offer!