Kaplan

[hallwe]

Please forgive me for asking this. I know that someone has asked this a million times. I am new here. I am scheduled to take the Kaplan course in June. It costs almost $1000. Is it worth it? I talked to one of the people at the school I am trying to get into (MUSC) and she she that that is a great course and it is worht it. I am still not convinced. I went down to the center and everything. The Director sold me on how great the review is and how great the instructor is. I know it is what I out into it. They even offer a money back garantee that if your score does not improve you get your money back. I took it last year and that was the only thing that was hurting me. So is it worth it?

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[StarGirl]

did you study before you took it?
well i can honestly say that the reason kaplan can offer you that garantee because you're probably more determine to do better and you will study harder on your own.
The kaplan course doesn't offer much... just 3 DAT exams on paper, 3 exams at the center that's on computer (but I think u can get one of them by borrow it from a friend or buying the red book they sell but I am not sure it's the same test).

I know for me I wasted a ton of money. I think when I first took the course it cost me about 700 or 800 bucks and since I never went to class or did their material I thought I would be at a disadvantage, and I forked out another 200 bucks to retake it to find that I just wasted more money!

I wouldn't say not take it, but if you can study on your own and do well I would do that instead of spending 1K... that money can come in use when you're interviewing...plane tickets and hotels are expensive and buying a suit too =)

 

[ayoon80]

yea take kaplan, the resources (practice tests, problems) they have there are really good although the lectures were really lame

 

[Stanford Fencer]

Lectures can be great depending on the instructor <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

Nevertheless, some students are lame. I teach 2 DAT sections now. I definitely like going to one of them over the other. No better way to help future colleagues though... I highly recommend teaching a section or two just for fun

 

[NYNOLE2]

I did not take it but I had friends that did take it and I personally think that it would not be worth a thousand bucks. As long as you can get the books from someone (they are great study guides) and you buy a cd with practice tests on it and you actually sit down and study on your own you should be fine. Between the DAT and ADSASS and school fees you will spend more than enough money, I don't think the course is worth another grand. Just my two cents though, good luck on the test regardless of what you do!

 

[hazelmei]

Hey Stan, Do you know how hard it is to get a position teaching at Kaplan? And how much do they pay? and what qualifications do you have to have? any info would be great =)thanks

 

[StarGirl]

of course if your instructor is Stan you'll have reasons to go to lecture :wink:

 

[Stanford Fencer]

hazelmei (soon-to-be UCSF'er) -- I think it depends a lot on demand for DAT in your area, and the individual offices themselves (The San Jose Kaplan caters to San Jose State and Santa Clara Universities mainly, and Palo Alto Kaplan caters to the Stanford crowd mostly). The basic requirement across the board is that you have to score at the 90th percentile or above to be considered an eligible instructor. Then, you go through auditions and if selected, teacher training for about 20 hours. After that, if you are selected, you get to teach! The pay is terrible. They liked my teaching style so Palo Alto Kaplan started me at what they called "MCAT instructor starting pay (apparently they get paid the most starting out), which is $23/hour. Nevertheless, it's been really fun helping out future colleagues, and I urge you to try if you are interested. I enjoy telling them horror stories about interviews.

And good stories from interviews as well, like the one I had at USC was incredibly nice, right Stargirl? :wink:

 

[StarGirl]

Stan~
you don't have any horror stories bout interviews to tell...you had all great experiences remember? If not go thru your list of accepts
yes yes I remember SC
Star

 

[grettlin]

Could StarGirl recommand any really good book for
preparing DAT (natural science's part)?
I heard that MCAT book would be better than DAT
preparing book. What books did you use for
preparing your DAT? :wink: sorry, too many questions

 

[hazelmei]

Ok, teaching sounds like a lot of fun too =) so I will call the Kaplan office and see if I qualify and ask more stuff.. thanks... buh bye.

hazel

 

[StarGirl]

I used Kaplan's material and old exams =)
I wouldn't recommend MCAT material at all... I about that too and I bought some but really MCAT's much more difficult than the DAT =)
SAT books are good for the math section =)

 

[space kacy]

I took the Kaplan course a couple of years ago and payed about $800 too. I didn't take the final but my midterm was worse than the diagnostic (we're talking really low scores) but I think that was me not studying. It goes by fast too. After taking the course though, I studied on my own for about a year using the materials and was able to do well on the DAT. The course really helped me nail down the PAT. The teacher showed us some tricks. So, even if it helps you with only one section I say it's worth it. Kaplan course...$1000. Getting into dental school...priceless. Okay, that was cheesy but the materials helped me out a lot. Like anything, you have to put in the work to get the most out of it.

 

[DMD DOC]

Just get the material from somehwere (eBAY.com) or something. The class is good if you are NOT self motivated, but I think if you yourself work through the Kaplan material you will achieve an excellent score and save some money. I got a 21 Academic, 21 Science, 18 PAT using the above method.

Thanks.

 

[DMD DOC]

Just get the material from somehwere (eBAY.com) or something. The class is good if you are NOT self motivated, but I think if you yourself work through the Kaplan material you will achieve an excellent score and save some money. I got a 21 Academic, 21 Science, 18 PAT using the above method.

Thanks.