Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7548
Twitter: @KapTestNews, @KaplanSATACT

New York, NY (May 20, 2015) — The upcoming changes to the SAT, scheduled to roll out in March 2016, are affecting the advice high school counselors are giving their students about which college admissions exam to take — the current SAT, new SAT or ACT® — according to a new Kaplan Test Prep survey of 172 high school counselors*.  However, specific recommendations vary.

A third (33%) say students should take more than one exam, which would help them figure out which of the three would most help them get into their choice colleges.  Far fewer are recommending single test options: 6% of counselors are telling students to take the current version of the SAT early to avoid the changes, 6% are recommending students wait until after the SAT changes in March to take the test, and 16% are advising students to take the ACT instead. The remaining percentage say the SAT changes are not affecting their advice to students.

“We wanted to see how the upcoming SAT changes may be influencing the test-taking recommendations that high school counselors are making to their students, and we found that while they are definitely having an influence, there’s no strong consensus on which approach to take,” said Michael Boothroyd, contributing editor for Kaplan’s 5 Strategies for the New SAT. “Our view is that students will increase their competitive advantage by taking more than one test. The class of 2017 has the unique opportunity of taking the current version of the SAT this fall, then also seeing how they’d perform on the new SAT in March, plus also having the option of taking the ACT.  As long as they plan ahead for it, this year’s sophomores have a one-time college application advantage of selecting their best score from three different admissions tests.”

Changes that will make the new SAT more rigorous: text-heavy math problems, a ban on calculator use for an entire section of math questions, 65 uninterrupted minutes of long passage reading, and an essay (optional by the test administrator, though required by many schools) that will demand thoughtful analysis of a long passage and explanation of how an author builds an argument.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s survey of high school counselors, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538. For more information about the upcoming changes to the SAT, visit Kaplan’s test change resource center at  www.satchange.com. To view a 45-second video explaining the unique advantage that the Class of 2017 has when it comes to which college admissions exam to take, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QQOoyboVPo.

*The March-April 2015 e-survey includes responses from 172 high school counselors from across the United States. 59% describe their school’s setting as suburban, while 21% say urban; 19% say their high school is in a rural setting.

SAT® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc., which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services. Additionally, Kaplan operates new economy skills training (NEST) bootcamps designed to provide immersive training in skills that are in high demand in today’s job market and prepare participants for hire.

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Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)

Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538 Twitter: @KapTestNews, @KaplanLSATPrep

New York, NY (May 11, 2015) — Some law school graduates want to use a machete when it comes to law schools’ spending practices in order to keep tuition in check, while many pre-law students prefer a more delicate approach, according to two separate Kaplan surveys*. Here’s how the two groups would approach the vexing issue that has long-term implications for all involved:

• Reduce Law School to Two Years: A healthy majority (56%) of law school graduates want to see law school condensed from three years to two years; 34% of prospective 1L’s think this is a good idea too.
• Online Classes: 39% of law school grads think that delivering legal education through an online format is a good way to lower tuition, as this would likely cut back on money law schools spend on real estate. Only 13% of pre-laws students favor this approach. Currently, the American Bar Association only allows accredited law schools to offer up to 15 credit hours via distance learning; this was upped from just 12 hours last year.
• “Flat” tuition: 29% of law school graduates would like to see all merit-based scholarships eliminated and instead use that money to lower tuition for everyone. Only 17% of pre-laws favor this approach.
• Enrolling More Students: 14% of recent law school graduates say they’d favor admitting more students to pump up revenue, compared to nearly twice as many pre-law students (27%) who favor this method.
• Lower professor salaries: Law instructors may not like this one. Over a quarter (27%) of law school graduates want to cut professors’ salaries; just 7% of pre-law students approve of this tactic.

“Having been through the grinder for the past three years, it’s not too surprising that law school graduates want to see the law school experience reduced from three years to two years,” said Jeff Thomas, executive director of pre-law programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “The reality is that while some schools have accelerated programs, students still have to take the same number of credit hours, per American Bar Association rules. Shorter yes, but more intense too. The same applies to online or distance learning — what law schools can do in this area is strictly regulated by the American Bar Association. While change is coming in both areas, straying from the ways things have been normally done in legal education is generally slow going.”

According to American Bar Association data, in the most recently recorded year of 2013  average tuition at a public law school was $23,879 per year for in-state residents and $36,859 per year for non-state residents. The average tuition at private law schools was considerably more, at $41,984 per year.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s survey, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

*293 law school graduates who took a bar review course with Kaplan participated in this February 2015 e-survey; 819 pre-law students who took an LSAT course with Kaplan participated in this September 2014 e-survey.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com)  is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services. Additionally, Kaplan operates new economy skills training (NEST) bootcamps designed to provide immersive training in skills that are in high demand in today’s job market and prepare participants for hire.

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Survey shows 80% of bar review students support a nationwide UBE

Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7548
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (May 6, 2015) — New York State’s decision to adopt the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) in July 2016 may shake up the legal education landscape — providing newly licensed New York lawyers with greater licensure portability, according to Kaplan Bar Review. New York becomes the 16th state — and largest by far — to adopt the UBE, which is essentially a national licensing exam for would be practicing attorneys to practice law across multiple states.  Last year, 15,200 aspiring lawyers took the New York bar exam – more than any other state in the country. The Empire State’s adoption of the UBE will nearly triple the current number of UBE bar takers from about 8,000 to about 23,000, based on 2014 statistics.

Data shows strong support for such a move from law school grads, as a 2013 Kaplan survey of 700 bar review students showed that 80% support a UBE adopted by all U.S. jurisdictions.

“Our research shows that many aspiring lawyers will welcome New York’s adoption of the Uniform Bar Exam, as it provides a more uniform experience for test takers and allows them greater career mobility,” said Steve Marietti, vice president and general manager, Kaplan Bar Review.  “It’s also likely to prompt other states to make the jump.  However, given unique issues that many jurisdictions face, we expect many will maintain their state-specific bar exams.” Marietti noted that candidates for the New York bar will have to pass a 50-question multiple choice test on New York specific laws.

“Given our experience preparing students for the UBE and with its implementation in other states, we’re looking forward to helping New York students tackle the UBE next summer,” said Marietti.

To schedule an interview with a legal education expert at Kaplan, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

About Kaplan Bar Review

Kaplan Bar Review (www.kaplanbarreview.com) provides full-service bar review programs in 51 jurisdictions (all 50 states and Washington, DC). Additionally, Kaplan Bar Review offers supplemental preparation for the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE).

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Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7548
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (April 22, 2015) — Global education leader Kaplan and the adult education software experts at Aztec Software have joined forces to offer students getting ready for a High School Equivalency Diploma the most comprehensive preparation experience available. The partnership integrates Kaplan’s highly effective content into Aztec Software’s proven computer and mobile-based program. This pairing comes at a critical time for adult learners, as recent figures show a sharp drop off in the number of people who completed a High School Equivalency. GED Testing Service® , which writes the GED® , reports successful tests fell from 540,000 in 2013 to 90,000 in 2014, and both the HiSET, Educational Testing Service’s test offering, and TASC from McGraw Hill, are too new to offer much insight. This drastic decline has been attributed by many adult education experts to the increased difficulty of the tests relative to previous versions of the GED and the change in test-taking mode, from paper and pencil to computer-based.

The combined course, called Kaplan Learning System powered by Aztec Software, is a tutorial program that not only gauges a student’s readiness with complete assessments, but creates individualized learning plans and the corresponding academic content that each learner needs to ensure success on high school equivalency exams like the GED, TASC, and HiSET. Available online, offline, and on every major mobile platform, the course allows students to prepare virtually anytime, anywhere.

“Aztec Software’s powerful approach to learning, combined with its ability to bolster adult educational development and achievement, aligns well with Kaplan’s mission of helping individuals succeed in reaching their educational and career goals ,” said Lee Weiss, head of New Product Ventures, Kaplan Test Prep. “This partnership reinforces Kaplan’s commitment to adult learners who are already in the workforce. We know that when they succeed the American economy can succeed too.”

“This partnership is a game changer in an adult education landscape that is constantly in flux,” said Jonathan Blitt, CEO of Aztec Software. “With a combined 100-plus years of experience of preparing students to successfully complete the increasingly rigorous battery of high-stakes exams, the combination of Kaplan’s deep understanding of test-taking strategies and Aztec Software’s interactive software will create the most student-centric learning experience ever offered to adults. Most importantly, adult learners, unlike their K-12 counterparts, are our current workforce. Their need is immediate, and the economic impact of more educated workers can be felt in real-time in every community in every state in the country.”

For more information, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

GED is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education, which neither sponsors nor endorses this product.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services. Additionally, Kaplan operates new economy skills training (NEST) bootcamps designed to provide immersive training in skills that are in high demand in today’s job market and prepare participants for hire.

About Aztec Software

Founded in 1980 by educators, not technologists, Aztec Software has been in the business of improving adult and young adult lives through computerized skills remediation from its inception. Used throughout the country in community colleges, correctional facilities, one-stop centers, job corps centers, middle schools, and high schools, Aztec has become an integral part of today’s complete educational curriculum.

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Kaplan Offers Advice, Plus New Prep Book “5 Strategies for the New SAT”

Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7548
Twitter: @KapTestNews, @KaplanSATACT

New York, NY (April 8, 2015) — Today’s high school sophomores are facing a redesigned SAT — which, for the class of 2017, means a more rigorous exam, but also a unique opportunity to take and choose to submit from three different tests scores: the current SAT, the new SAT and the ACTⓇ.

“The new SAT represents a second round test opportunity for today’s sophomores, who will be the only class with the option of trying their hand at three different college admissions tests to see which gives them the best score,” said Seppy Basili, Vice President for Kaplan Test Prep’s college admissions and K12 programs and contributing editor to 5 Strategies for the New SAT. “In other words, the class of 2017 can take the current SAT this fall, then also see how they’d perform with a different version of the test next spring — in addition to having the option of taking the ACT — and choosing their best score from all three. As both the SAT and the ACT are accepted by all schools, this is an opportunity that applies uniquely to this year’s sophomores, as long as they plan ahead in order to take advantage of it.”

However, Basili notes that students planning to take the new SAT should also prepare for a more rigorous test, as upcoming changes reflect the Common Core State Standards– and states that have already been through early Common Core testing have seen a negative impact to their scores. For those who want to get an early jump on the March 2016 test, Kaplan has published 5 Strategies for the New SAT, now available on Amazon, to provide strategies and practice for the new test. Upcoming changes to the SAT include:

● Scoring: reverts back to a 1600 point scale
● Math: calculator use will be banned for several questions, more emphasis on problem solving and data analysis, including the use of informational graphics (current emphasis is on computational skills)
● Reading Comprehension: focuses on “evidence-based reading and writing” using long passage-based questions; short passage-based and sentence completion questions are eliminated
● Essay: essay becomes optional (though many schools will require it); demands thoughtful analysis of a long passage and explanation of how an author builds an argument (vs current SAT’s short prompt for a persuasive essay); moves from being the first section tested to the end of the exam
● Anatomy: shifts from ten 10-25 minute sections (3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, 1 essay) plus experimental section to five 25-65 minute sections (1 Reading, 1 Language and Writing, 2 Math, 1 essay)
● Administration: will be administered both in print and digital format (current test only administered in print)

For updated information about the upcoming changes to the SAT, visit www.satchange.com. and follow us on @KapTestNews or @KaplanSATACT. And for a 40-second video explaining students’ SAT and ACT test-taking options, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QQOoyboVPo&feature=youtu.be.

SAT® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc., which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services. Additionally, Kaplan operates new economy skills training (NEST) bootcamps designed to provide immersive training in skills that are in high demand in today’s job market and prepare participants for hire.

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Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Twitter: @KapTestNews

Fort Lauderdale, FL (April 2, 2015) — Kaplan, Inc., the global education services company and largest subsidiary of Graham Holdings (NYSE:GHC), was named among the top 100 of “America’s Best Employers for 2015” by Forbes Media. Kaplan ranked #92 on Forbes’ ranking of 500 U.S. employers across 25 industries, compiled from a survey of 20,000 employees asked how likely they would be to recommend working for their organization.

Kaplan is also one of only 26 organizations in the education category—and the only proprietary education company—included in the list. With 17,000 U.S.-based employees, Kaplan offers higher education, test preparation, professional education, English-language training, university preparation, and K-12 services to individual students, businesses and institutional partners across the globe. For more than 75 years, Kaplan and its employees have been recognized for their pioneering role in expanding educational access and being on the front-line in terms of adapting technology advancements, learning science, and course-level assessments to help achieve provably better results for their students. The company has also been named one of the most innovative education companies world-wide by Fast Company magazine (2014).

“Kaplan is honored and proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers,” said Kaplan, Inc. CEO Thomas Leppert. “Every day Kaplan’s employees are focused on changing our students’ lives, whether it’s earning a degree to open up new employment opportunities, passing an exam that affords a better education, or securing a professional credential that brightens one’s career prospects. Succeeding in this mission depends on having smart and dedicated employees and an inclusive, value-focused company culture. This recognition, by such a well-respected publication like Forbes, is a tribute to the hard work of everyone at our company.”

Forbes Media surveyed over 20,000 employees at companies with at least 2,500 people for its America’s Best Employers List. The survey was conducted with global digital data collection partners who use innovative technology and proven sampling methodologies to facilitate a deep understanding of consumer opinions and behavior. Participation in the survey was voluntary, and respondents were recruited from thousands of sources to maximize reach and representation.

About Kaplan

Kaplan, Inc. serves over 1.2 million students globally each year through its array of higher education, test preparation, professional education, English-language training, university preparation, and K-12 offerings to individuals, institutions, and businesses. Across its 75-plus year history, first as small test-prep pioneer and then an early online education leader and now a global education provider, Kaplan has been recognized for expanding educational access and using technology and learning science innovations to continually improve outcomes for its students and partners. Kaplan has operations in over 30 countries, employs more than 22,000 full- and part-time professionals, and maintains relationships and partnerships with more than 1,000 school districts, colleges, and universities, and over 2,600 corporations and businesses. Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) and its largest division. For more information, please visit www.kaplan.com​

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Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Twitter: @KapTestNews, @KaplanSATACT

New York, NY (April 1, 2015) — As millions of college applicants begin to receive word about where they may enter as freshmen this fall, a new Kaplan Test Prep survey of admissions officers at 400 top colleges and universities explores the question: is the admissions process rigged for the well-connected applicant?* According to Kaplan’s survey, 25% of admissions officers say they have “felt pressured to accept an applicant who didn’t meet your school’s admissions requirements because of who that applicant was connected to.” The Kaplan survey also found that 16% of college admissions officers say applicants to their school who are the children or sibling of alumni have an advantage over those who aren’t.

“The acceptance of applicants whose qualifications may take a back seat to their connections is an open secret in the college admissions process, and our results show that it’s not uncommon,” said Seppy Basili, vice president of college admissions and K-12 programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “But colleges often say that more than looking for a well-rounded student, they are looking for a well-rounded class, which means they look at everything a pool of applicants bring to the table — including connections, whether political, business or other. In the case of legacies, some colleges may see second- or third-generation applicants as more likely to be engaged with a school’s culture. However, it’s important to keep in mind that although these ‘thumb on the scale’ admissions practices do happen, the overwhelming majority of accepted college applicants are successful due to their own merits.”

Basili says that admissions decision-making may increasingly be put under the spotlight with the recent attention drawn to a little known, but recently rediscovered federal law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Under FERPA, schools must release the admissions records to accepted students who request them within 45 days. An admissions official at top-ranked University of Pennsylvania reports receiving an “avalanche” of such requests in recent weeks, already four times the yearly average. (http://www.thedp.com/article/2015/01/penn-admissions-office-sees-explosion-of-ferpa-requests)

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s survey, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

*For the 2014 survey, 403 admissions officers from the nation’s top national, regional and liberal arts colleges and universities – as compiled from U.S. News & World Report – were polled by telephone between July and August 2014.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services. Additionally, Kaplan operates new economy skills training (NEST) bootcamps designed to provide immersive training in skills that are in high demand in today’s job market and prepare participants for hire.

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Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)

Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538 Twitter: @KapTestNews, @DevBootcamp

San Francisco, CA (March 12, 2015) – Dev Bootcamp, the industry leader and pioneer of the immersive coding “bootcamp,” celebrates three years of helping individuals reach career goals on March 12 with a renewed effort to encourage more women and underrepresented minorities to enter the tech sector. Having graduated more than 1,300 students since its inception, Dev Bootcamp has pledged:

1. To award $425,000 in tuition scholarships for women and underrepresented minorities enrolling in its programs over the next year, and
2. To improve awareness among diverse communities by partnering with organizations like #YesWeCode, which focuses on outreach to communities typically underrepresented in technology.

Anne Spalding, director of Dev Bootcamp’s San Francisco office, says, “We are proud of the progress we’ve made in opening doors and providing much needed skills training for those who previously knew nothing about coding. We recognize that we can make a greater impact in driving efforts to increase the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in the tech industry, and we are increasing our focus here.”

“Dev Bootcamp is not only a leader among the coding schools, but also a leader in promoting racial and gender diversity within the tech industry,” says Van Jones, Workforce Development Expert for #YesWeCode. “Our goal is to help companies find and develop the next generation of tech rock stars from communities that you wouldn’t expect them to come from, and Dev Bootcamp’s new scholarship program offers these would-be tech stars an immediate pathway.”

Since Dev Bootcamp created the first coding skills bootcamp in 2012, career prospects for software developers have continued to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that hiring of software developers, who earned a median $90,000 in 2012, will grow at twice the rate as the average for all occupations through 2022, spurring demand for more bootcamp-style developer training programs.

The proliferation of such programs prompted Dev Bootcamp to lead an effort to launch a New Economy Skills Training Association (NESTA) with nine other bootcamps earlier this week, committing via a letter to President Obama to a set of industry standards for publishing completion and employment outcomes. The goal is to ensure that NESTA’s 10 charter members provide high-quality training that satisfies the expectations of students and the demands of companies looking for technical talent.

As the originator of the immersive coding school industry, Dev Bootcamp has graduated more than 1,300 students, making it one of the largest bootcamps of its kind. After graduation, Dev Bootcamp focuses on maintaining engagement with its graduates through its active alumni community, engaging many as coaches and mentors for new students and celebrating the new tech jobs its graduates have landed.

With three years under its belt, Dev Bootcamp’s curriculum and learning methodology have proven to be highly effective. Using input from past students, instructors and employer partners, Dev Bootcamp has continued to innovate on the program that effectively takes beginners to employable web developers in a matter of months. The 19-week program – 9 weeks remote plus 9 weeks on-site and 1-week career preparation – leverages multiple learning modalities such as lecture, pair programming, group projects, and individual challenges to optimize student engagement.

“Dev Bootcamp goes beyond just teaching people how to code. We teach our students how to practice empathy, communicate effectively, build strong relationships and adapt to feedback,” says Spalding. “With non-technical skills training woven in seamlessly with the technical curriculum, Dev Bootcamp trains students to become not only good coders, but also exceptional team players capable of operating in dynamic technical environments with a diverse group of colleagues.”

About Dev Bootcamp

Dev Bootcamp pioneered the short-term, immersive developer bootcamp, a model that transforms beginners into highly employable junior web developers in a matter of months. The 19-week curriculum teaches the technical skills people need to work as a web developer, but also the functional and emotional skills that are critical to working in dynamic, cross-functional engineering teams. With more than 1,300 graduates to date, and locations in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City, Dev Bootcamp continues to lead the industry through innovation and expansion. Dev Bootcamp is owned by Kaplan, Inc. For more information, visit devbootcamp.com.

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Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)

Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538 Twitter: @KapTestNews, @KaplanLSATPrep

New York, NY (March 12, 2015) – According to a recent Kaplan Test Prep survey of over 900 prospective law school students, more than a third — 36% — plan to fund their entire legal education all on their own, while another 22% say they’ll shoulder more than half of their tuition — a hefty responsibility, as law school tuition and fees run up to about $40,000 a year. Only a lucky (or hopeful) 10% say they won’t pay for any of it.

The survey finds that loans are the go-to funding source for 78% of future law school students, while parents are the second most popular option — with nearly seven in 10 students (68%) saying they will rely on a parent or guardian for at least some of their tuition.  A lesser percentage — 61% — plan to fund their legal education with yet-to-be secured merit-based scholarships.  Still more than half (54%) say they plan to work while in law school to help pay for it, while 50% say they plan to dig into their personal savings.  42% say they will rely on needs-based scholarships.

But beyond going to mom and dad, future lawyers are far less likely to tap into others in their personal networks for tuition support: only 9% say they plan to hit up another relative, while even fewer (6%) say they will seek help from their significant other.

“One thing that’s notable about our survey is that more than six in 10 respondents plan on securing merit-based aid to pay for law school, which may be wishful thinking. The reality is that even in the present market, law schools offer limited merit-based aid relative to the number of students they accept — it’s predominantly based upon outstanding GPAs and LSAT scores,” said Jeff Thomas, executive director of pre-law programs, Kaplan Test Prep.  “While pursuing a legal education and career in law is a longer-term investment, we strongly encourage pre-law students to maximize their return on that investment with smart planning around how they pay for it.  All too often the first move of matriculated law school students is to try to secure loans, which are often accompanied by burdensome interest rates that will challenge them for years to come as they begin their careers. Our advice is to actively seek other options first including scholarships, both needs-based and merit-based.  We also advise students that as soon as they know they plan to attend law school, start putting some money aside, if possible.”

According to recent numbers from the New America Foundation’s Education Policy Program, the median debt for law school graduates in 2012 was $140,616. In 2004, that number was “only” $88,634.

For more information about Kaplan’s survey, contact Russell Schaffer at 212.453.7538 or russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.

*The e-survey included responses from 901 Kaplan Test Prep students who took the September 2014 administration of the LSAT®.

LSAT® is a registered trademark of the Law School Admission Council, which is not affiliated with Kaplan.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com)  is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services. Additionally, Kaplan operates new economy skills training (NEST) bootcamps designed to provide immersive training in skills that are in high demand in today’s job market and prepare participants for hire.

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Coding schools collaborate to improve access and accountability.

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)

Press Contact: Hilary Wells, hilary@devbootcamp.com, 415.218.5381,
Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Twitter: @DevBootCamp, @KapTestNews

San Francisco, CA (March 9, 2015) – The following statement is from Jon Stowe, President of Dev Bootcamp, regarding the TechHire initiative announced today by President Obama. TechHire is a bold public-private initiative to empower Americans with the skills they need, through universities and community colleges but also nontraditional approaches like coding schools, and high-quality online courses that can rapidly train workers for a well-paying job, often in just a few months.

“TechHire will broaden the foundation of coding literacy in this country. The inclusion of schools like Dev Bootcamp in this initiative is recognition of our ability to create a bridge between motivated learners and well-paying technical jobs in the new economy. Our goal is to create greater diversity in the tech field, and specifically to open more access for women and people of color. Our work in this area, which is supported by the TechHire initiative, is an important step toward creating representative population in the field.”

“Since it launched in 2012, Dev Bootcamp has created a pathway for motivated people to gain the coding skills they need to land well-paying jobs in software development. We want that path to be even wider and we are proud to be a part of the collaborative effort to enable more people to develop these skills and find employment in companies of all sizes.”

“In a measure of support for the TechHire initiative and a collective commitment to student outcomes, Dev Bootcamp spearheaded the founding of the New Economy Skills Training Association, a coalition of 10 coding schools, which will launch a standard for publishing completion and employment outcomes.”

About Dev Bootcamp

Dev Bootcamp pioneered the short-term, immersive developer boot camp, a model that transforms beginners into highly employable junior web developers in a matter of months. The 19-week curriculum teaches the technical skills people need to work as a web developer, but also the functional and emotional skills that are critical to working in dynamic, cross-functional engineering teams. With more than 1,300 graduates to date, and locations in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City, Dev Bootcamp continues to lead the industry through innovation and expansion. For more information, visit devbootcamp.com or contact: Hilary Wells at Hilary@devbootcamp.com.

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