Test-prep teachers, did you include your test-prep job on your AMCAS application?

[ranstopolis]

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An advisor of mine, who spent a decade plus on an admissions committee at a top-tier school, has indicated to me that working for a test prep company is likely to make admissions committees discount high MCAT scores, the perception being that such work puts you at a significant advantage on the MCAT relative to other students. She believes including my teaching experience on my application adds an "unnecessary element of risk."

I am struggling with this choice -- I think that entry includes valuable teaching, mentoring, and leadership experience I am loath to remove, but I hold this advisor's opinion in very high esteem.

So...

Anyone out there who's taught MCAT-prep classes include their teaching experience? Anyone out there choose not to include it? Either way, what led you make your choice?

Thanks!

 

[billowthehusky]

Seems to me that it would be silly not to include it - especially considering that most companies require you to have taken and done well on the MCAT before starting as a teacher.

 

[theonlytycrane]

Lol wut


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[ilovemedi]

I did, but it was for the mcat... i say still include it

 

[liquidsodium]

I have to disagree with your advisor. I included it, absolutely. I was only able to secure the job after scoring >90th percentile on the MCAT. Many other test prep companies have the same requirement.

And even if they didn't have that requirement, scoring well on your MCAT after teaching the material isn't really a "significant advantage" -- you still put in the work to learn the material well enough to teach. If adcoms cared about that, they'd also ask students to note whether they dished out to take a test prep course or buy extra resources and subsequently discount high scores from those who did. Alas, it doesn't work that way.

Teaching is a valuable experience, whether for MCAT or otherwise, and should be included in your app.

 

[vernhart]

Yeah you only get the job after scoring over 90th or 95th percentile or so (depending on the company), so her logic doesn't quite work out. Yes some companies will have you take it again, but most tutors will not have to do that in my experience. Put it in your app.