TPR/Kaplan MCAT teacher?

[junkct]

Has anyone here been an MCAT teacher for kaplan or tpr?
What's the process?
Would I just contact my local kaplan/tpr center to apply?
Any idea on what the pre-requisites are?
And is there any commitment? I really wanted to do it just for the summer..

haha, and lastly, this is the summer I would be applying. Usually I do research over the summer (~40 hrs/week), but I wanted to take it a little easier this summer so that I can get my apps done. However, I didn't want to just sit idly this summer, so do you think this would be an acceptable "pre-med" summer occupation?

Thanks in advance; I know I could get the cold hard facts by just picking up my phone and calling kaplan/tpr, but I just love hearing all of your anecdotes and whatnot about this stuff!

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[mmmcdowe]

Has anyone here been an MCAT teacher for kaplan or tpr?
What's the process?
Would I just contact my local kaplan/tpr center to apply?
Any idea on what the pre-requisites are?
And is there any commitment? I really wanted to do it just for the summer..

haha, and lastly, this is the summer I would be applying. Usually I do research over the summer (~40 hrs/week), but I wanted to take it a little easier this summer so that I can get my apps done. However, I didn't want to just sit idly this summer, so do you think this would be an acceptable "pre-med" summer occupation?

Thanks in advance; I know I could get the cold hard facts by just picking up my phone and calling kaplan/tpr, but I just love hearing all of your anecdotes and whatnot about this stuff!

I work for Kaplan. Just apply at the office. The pre-reqs are that you have scored in the top 10% on an MCAT (about a 33). They prefer candidates that scored in the top 5%. Your interview includes a portion where they evaluate you as you "teach" something to them, as well as a standard interview. There is no comitment, it is class by class. However, if you don't enjoy teaching I wouldn't do either of them.

 

[Faziz]

I work for TPR and I would have to say its a pretty sweet job. I applied at the TPR office (just called them). For TPR they want you to have an 11 or 12 in the subject you intend on teaching. You also have to prepare a mock lesson to give to the interviewers. After that you have to take a test to show that you know the material (you can take it at home). Then you have to get trained in special teaching techniques for a weekend. After you get certified you can sign up for a class. I teach O-chem So i only have to teach six classes and hold two office hours. But for your first class you have to prepare a lesson plan which you can follow for the rest of your classes. You get paid about $20 per hour to teach and hold office hours. You also get paid for driving time and milage if you each far away. Finally, i think its a great summer job. It has been brought up in all my interviews and all my interviewers have said that a doctor is the ultimate teacher. good luck!

 

[mmmcdowe]

I didn't mention the money involved. Kaplan also pays 20 an hour, plus prep expenses (7 an hour for prep, you usually prep 3-6 hours per lesson your first time around). Also, Kaplan teachers can be generalists or specialists, depending on the Kaplan center. Generalists teach EVERY section. You teach twice a week for 2-3 months with the same students. Generalists tend to need to have a 35 or higher. Specialists do what TPR does, one section like PS.

 

[silverlining1]

Has anyone here been an MCAT teacher for kaplan or tpr?
What's the process?
Would I just contact my local kaplan/tpr center to apply?
Any idea on what the pre-requisites are?
And is there any commitment? I really wanted to do it just for the summer..

haha, and lastly, this is the summer I would be applying. Usually I do research over the summer (~40 hrs/week), but I wanted to take it a little easier this summer so that I can get my apps done. However, I didn't want to just sit idly this summer, so do you think this would be an acceptable "pre-med" summer occupation?

Thanks in advance; I know I could get the cold hard facts by just picking up my phone and calling kaplan/tpr, but I just love hearing all of your anecdotes and whatnot about this stuff!

I taught for TPR. I actually applied based on a recommendation from a friend (shemarty, actually), and she told me who to contact. You could just call the local office and ask who to talk to about applying.

I believe you need to have at least a 10 in the section that you want to teach; or, if you have not taken the MCAT (i.e. not going to medical school) you would have to take a diagnostic test to see how you do. You also have to do a brief teaching audition - just get up in front of the person hiring you and talk for 5 minutes about something. Then, if you're still good, you need to go through a weekend-long training where you do lots of practice teaching. Then, a percentage of those people will get certified. I taught physics, and my trainer told me that he certifies 60% of the people that come in to train.

As for the committment, I also only did it for the summer. I taught 3 classes simultaneously, which worked out to about 3 sessions per week - pretty chill committment. You do need to plan your lectures and examples and such, but you really only have to do this the first time you teach, and you're paid for the prep time. Definitely be up front with them about how much you want to teach, and they'll let you know if that's acceptable. Training is an investment, so they want to make sure that they'll be able to get a good amount of use out of you

 

[aznb0y129]

Just an update. Kaplan actually starts you at 22 per hour for MCAT, not 20. And be aware that it takes a long time before you can teach. I got my scores back in early September and applied the same week. I had my audition, then interview with the hiring manager, then nothing for several weeks while they were lining up a training session, then going through the actual training (which is 5 weekly 4-hour sessions), then a follow-up meeting with the manager before I (likely) start in January.

 

[efitzpat]

Princeton starts at $25. I interviewed with both Kaplan and Princeton. I liked Princeton better. More money, less training. YOu don't get paid for prep, but after you teach one class you just walk in and do your thing.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Then you're lucky, I get paid 20. Also, the training is variable. We did my training twice a week. It shouldn't be a problem for the OP, who wants to teach in the summer.

 

[beachblonde]

Just an update. Kaplan actually starts you at 22 per hour for MCAT, not 20. And be aware that it takes a long time before you can teach. I got my scores back in early September and applied the same week. I had my audition, then interview with the hiring manager, then nothing for several weeks while they were lining up a training session, then going through the actual training (which is 5 weekly 4-hour sessions), then a follow-up meeting with the manager before I (likely) start in January.

Pay depends on the area. I've known people who got anywhere from $12-$22/hr, depending on the location.

OP, do a search on the forums, I know that this has been discussed before and hopefully you'll find some helpful stuff there.

The commitment for Kaplan is class by class, so you sign a contract agreeing to teach Physics 1, 2, 3 for class X, and that's all you'll be held to. I frequently sub in on classes, it's a nice way to pick up extra cash. I would only do it if you really like teaching, though, because otherwise it'll just be a frustrating experience and probably not very rewarding.

 

[aznb0y129]

Pay depends on the area. I've known people who got anywhere from $12-$22/hr, depending on the location.

OP, do a search on the forums, I know that this has been discussed before and hopefully you'll find some helpful stuff there.

The commitment for Kaplan is class by class, so you sign a contract agreeing to teach Physics 1, 2, 3 for class X, and that's all you'll be held to. I frequently sub in on classes, it's a nice way to pick up extra cash. I would only do it if you really like teaching, though, because otherwise it'll just be a frustrating experience and probably not very rewarding.

Whoops, my mistake. I didn't know the pay was variable by area.

 

[silverlining1]

Princeton starts at $25. I interviewed with both Kaplan and Princeton. I liked Princeton better. More money, less training. YOu don't get paid for prep, but after you teach one class you just walk in and do your thing.

Really? I got paid for prep. I actually spent like 3 or 4 hours preparing for each class, and I think I got maybe $8/hr for that.

 

[muggle911]

I know that Kaplan will not like (and most likely not accept) a commitment of only a summer...I tried that and they told me they need at least 6 months commitment. I decided to commit and now teach during the school year while finishing up my senior year. It's working out just fine.

 

[junkct]

hey everyone, thanks a lot for the responses! yeah I did a search on the forums about the pay and people seem to be saying about $15-20/hour for both companies.

I'm currently a kaplan student, going to take the mcat in january, so I won't have official mcat scores until end of february... but I've been doing pretty well on the practice tests.. averaging about 35-36 (and even got 40+ on one ). I wouldn't really be comfortable teaching VR, but I think I'd be good with PS, and probably with BS as well.

I really want to teach for them, but do you think practice test scores would be sufficient evidence that I know my stuff? I didn't want to wait until march to contact them because I wanna know asap whether or not I might get a position so that I can start applying to research programs or figuring out other options if necessary...

Finally, I go to school out of state, but I'd want to teach when I'm at home for the summer. anyone know if this would place barriers for me? like could I apply/train/etc. at the kaplan/tpr centers where my school is, and then teach at my home center?

thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it!

 

[aznb0y129]

hey everyone, thanks a lot for the responses! yeah I did a search on the forums about the pay and people seem to be saying about $15-20/hour for both companies.

I'm currently a kaplan student, going to take the mcat in january, so I won't have official mcat scores until end of february... but I've been doing pretty well on the practice tests.. averaging about 35-36 (and even got 40+ on one ). I wouldn't really be comfortable teaching VR, but I think I'd be good with PS, and probably with BS as well.

I really want to teach for them, but do you think practice test scores would be sufficient evidence that I know my stuff? I didn't want to wait until march to contact them because I wanna know asap whether or not I might get a position so that I can start applying to research programs or figuring out other options if necessary...

Finally, I go to school out of state, but I'd want to teach when I'm at home for the summer. anyone know if this would place barriers for me? like could I apply/train/etc. at the kaplan/tpr centers where my school is, and then teach at my home center?

thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it!

Hi, I know they accepted me since I was on the border but I was averaging 11+ on the practice tests and scored slightly below on the real thing, so I think you're fine to apply now. But I wouldn't forego research positions to teach for Kaplan because it's unlikely you'll be able to make a full-time job out of it (if that's your intention). It probably is best as a side gig or part-time job. I had similar questions about where to teach if I went OOS for med school and they said you can teach at any of their satellite offices once you pass your training.

 

[efitzpat]

Really? I got paid for prep. I actually spent like 3 or 4 hours preparing for each class, and I think I got maybe $8/hr for that.

Wow I got ripped off. My office isn't very organized... Jerks...

 

[Day man]

Highly recommend you check out teaching for Examkrackers. I took the EK course, did well on the test, taught for Kaplan, then quit and I currently teach for EK. If you want a long explanation, I can PM you or something. EK pays really well, and I respected the management style alot more.

 

[Steako]

Hi, I know they accepted me since I was on the border but I was averaging 11+ on the practice tests and scored slightly below on the real thing, so I think you're fine to apply now. But I wouldn't forego research positions to teach for Kaplan because it's unlikely you'll be able to make a full-time job out of it (if that's your intention). It probably is best as a side gig or part-time job. I had similar questions about where to teach if I went OOS for med school and they said you can teach at any of their satellite offices once you pass your training.

I've worked for Kaplan as an ACT/MCAT instructor for 2.5 years now. They do accept scores from their own practice tests in order to show your mastery.

It is very easy to move to a new Kaplan center to teach. Given that they are a huge corporation, it is generally not hard to find a center near you. Once you move, you will perform a "teachback" (basically teach from one of your prepared lessons for a few minutes) for the new center, who would then accept you to work at their center if they like your teaching. This would be a non-issue if you'd been teaching for a while.

Also, given the size of Kaplan and the number of classes they run, it is easy to pick a class that fits your schedule.

Also, keep in mind that you could get free Step I resources with Kaplan (or a free MCAT class if you've been there long enough before you take it).

 

[Steako]

....ignore this post

 

[dmirza]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for a part-time MCAT teacher in Calgary Canada. If anyone is interested please contact me on my e-mail address [email protected] for details.

Thanks,

Doni