Princeton Review MCAT Teaching

[loveoforganic]

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2 Questions

1) On the second page of the application, what the hell are they looking for you to put under 'Experience?'

It has 3 main tabs - education, experience, and extras. Under experience, it asks for institution, date range, and title. Confused.

2) When do you do the training and how long is it?

Thanks a bunch for any help!

 

[Ghost22]

When I applied to teach they made me do some little "audition" where I taught "the class" something.

To see if you can stand up in front of people and not cry like a wee little girl. I believe that + scores on the test makes a MUCH bigger difference than any crap on the application (they gave me the application to take home, but e-mailed me that they wanted me to train before I even returned it).

Under experience, I believe they mean other teaching experience. I left most of that crap blank but felt like I had a pretty nice presentation.

Times for training vary. I believe they do it a few times a year. I'm set to train in April, the training is one weekend, like 12 hours a day.

Edit: You can use diag scores when you apply. I used my highest diag, which was like a point higher than my actual MCAT. You can message me if you have any other questions and I can try to answer them.

 

[deuce924]

I trained a few years ago but training was 1 weekend and lasted like 8 to 10 hours on both days. I was horribly boring and they make you teach a portion of whatever subject you are applying for at the end of the training session. If you pass, you are certified to teach. It is a little overkill if you ask me.

As for your application, I dont think it matters what you put down. If you had a good MCAT score you will be fine.

 

[loveoforganic]

Thank you both!

 

[loveoforganic]

Oh, one more quick q - did you have to take one of their classes to apply?

Thanks again!

 

[deuce924]

Oh, one more quick q - did you have to take one of their classes to apply?

Thanks again!

Nope

 

[URHere]

I currently teach for The Princeton Review, and in my area whether you are accepted or not has nothing to do with whether you have taken a class with them in the past or your MCAT score (many of the TPR instructors in my area have graduate degrees in their subject areas and are not med types).

To answer your questions though...on your application, experience does refer to teaching experience.

As for the rest of the process...when I applied, I was asked to come in to take a diagnostic test and to teach a short sample lesson. The diagnostic was a compilation of about 60ish free-standing MCAT questions, and the sample lesson was supposed to be targeted instruction on any topic within the subject you wish to teach.

As for the training, it can range from 2-3 weekend days. If your training has a friday session it will probably be 4ish hours in the evening and 6-8 hours the other two days. If your training session only runs for two days, the hours will be longer. Most accurately, the length of time depends on how many other potential instructors are training with you. The overall set-up involves some targeted info about the course and the MCAT, helpful teaching techniques, and a sample lesson. Then each potential instructor teaches one topic and one passage review per training day. After each presentation you get feedback and a grade. In a few days, you find out whether or not you passed the training session.

One more note on the training...if you live in an area with few TPR centers, they may fly you elsewhere to train. I was flown down to San Francisco for mine (my other option was Boston).

 

[loveoforganic]

Thanks for all of the info, very helpful 🙂

 

[dingyibvs]

The qualifying test is pretty hard, but at least at my place they let you take the same exact test twice.

 

[purpleGiraffe]

I just turned in my application for TPR, but I was not prompted to take a qualifying test?

Is that supposed to be after if I get screened?

 

[loveoforganic]

Have you already taken and gotten a scored MCAT? I was told that doing that exempted the need to take the qualifier.

 

[tlaloc87]

I just turned in my application for TPR, but I was not prompted to take a qualifying test?

Is that supposed to be after if I get screened?

I assume you submitted your application online, which means your local office will be in touch with you. If they're like my local office, they will probably ask you to come in to explain their MCAT courses and make sure you're really interested in teaching, then have you take a qualifying test in whichever subject you want to teach. If you pass that then comes the audition and training.


My local TPR office did not care that I had taken the MCAT let alone how I scored. They made me take the qualifying test that was mostly just random questions that required unimportant facts and knowledge--all in all more indicative of mastery in the given topic than in a high MCAT score. That turned me off to the idea of teaching for them at first but in comparison to EK or Kaplan they have better pay and, at least for me, a nicer and more accommodating hiring manager.

 

[Narmerguy]

How much does this pay? Also, what are typical score expectations to teach?

 

[dingyibvs]

they made me take the qualifying exam for bio, so they def dont care if uve taken it or what uve got lol.

u need about a 12 or have like a degree in the field to teach a section

 

[tlaloc87]

Pay varies by region. Where I am it starts at $25/hr and they give raises if you get positive student evaluations for your first couple classes on top of annual raises.

 

[tpham1030]

Does anyone know a site where I can apply? Or should I just contact my local branch

 

[girlspowerss]

What do you need to score on each qualifying test in order to each? what is the minimum score to pass?

 

[TexasHopeful]

I just applied through my local branch and was accepted into training. My MCAT score was decent (33), and I noticed they care a lot more about teaching ability than what you got on the test. That said, if you got below a 10 or fail the qualifying exam I don't think they'd take you.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I just was scheduled for an interview next week with TPR. I wanted to know if the rumours I've heard are true--that you must come up with your own lesson plan? what kind of teaching method is that?...Shouldn't they have more and just make you stick to their lesson plan?

At Kaplan, I think you were given everything you need to teach

 

[dingyibvs]

no they give you a pretty detailed guideline on how and what to teach for each class, plus videos of every class from master trainers. you can deviate from it somewhat as you teach tho.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Thank goodness! i was perusing SDN and other websites online and all I saw were "we had to plan...it took a saturday just to review the lesson plan I had created, etc."

It sounds like they don't actually give you a lesson plan though where you're practicallly scripted..seems like you're given topics and you come up with your own lesson? or am I still mistaken?

I honestly prefer the scripted method..which is..use this problem, teach it to the class, etc...not just..come up with ur own problems and whatnot (again, as I've read online..maybe this was their way a few years ago)

 

[tlaloc87]

It sounds like they don't actually give you a lesson plan though where you're practicallly scripted..seems like you're given topics and you come up with your own lesson? or am I still mistaken?

I honestly prefer the scripted method..which is..use this problem, teach it to the class, etc...not just..come up with ur own problems and whatnot (again, as I've read online..maybe this was their way a few years ago)

TPR gives you the syllabus for each subject, which includes a breakdown of what you need to cover in each class. They give **approximations** of how much time you should spend on each topic and particular ideas/concepts that you should (read: must) cover to ensure your students are prepared. I've heard that Kaplan gives an almost minute-by-minute breakdown of what you need to do each class. TPR, however, gives you a little bit of freedom, especially with passage teachbacks; you need to show how to get the right answer, but TPR values your test-taking ability and the way you explain how to get the right answer will differ from other instructors. As mentioned, they have videos online for every class to give you some idea of what/how to teach. Take home point: You do NOT write your entire lesson plan from scratch or come up with your own problems. Don't worry--it's not that hard.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

TPR gives you the syllabus for each subject, which includes a breakdown of what you need to cover in each class. They give **approximations** of how much time you should spend on each topic and particular ideas/concepts that you should (read: must) cover to ensure your students are prepared. I've heard that Kaplan gives an almost minute-by-minute breakdown of what you need to do each class. TPR, however, gives you a little bit of freedom, especially with passage teachbacks; you need to show how to get the right answer, but TPR values your test-taking ability and the way you explain how to get the right answer will differ from other instructors. As mentioned, they have videos online for every class to give you some idea of what/how to teach. Take home point: You do NOT write your entire lesson plan from scratch or come up with your own problems. Don't worry--it's not that hard.

This sounds somewhat different from Kaplan. The instructors were given a binder with printouts of material that had sample passages/questions that mirrored what was in the lesson book for students.

I guess that's what TPR does too...lol.

 

[tlaloc87]

This sounds somewhat different from Kaplan. The instructors were given a binder with printouts of material that had sample passages/questions that mirrored what was in the lesson book for students.

I guess that's what TPR does too...lol.

I got bad vibes from the Kaplan recruiters so I never pursued teaching for them, but from what you say it seems as if it's a similar set-up for both TPR and Kaplan. TPR clearly indicates which topics you should cover and how much detail to include/time to spend. You can choose different problems to illustrate the concepts as you see fit, particularly because reusing examples from the book that students have already seen is a waste of their time (and money...). If you're worried that this style won't work for you then look into Kaplan, but, honestly, you should be fine.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Thanks for the advice!