As AACP Launches its Foundations of the Future Pharmacist Program, the Partnership Will Expand Access to Preparing for the Pharmacy School Admissions Exam

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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

Maureen Thielemans, mthielemans@aacp.org, 703-739-2330, ext. 1022,
Twitter: @AACPharmacy

New York, NY (October 14, 2013) – The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the national organization representing pharmacy education in the United States, announced today that Kaplan Test Prep is its official test prep provider for the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), required for admission by over 75% of U.S. pharmacy schools. The announcement comes in conjunction with the launch of the Kaplan Test Prep and AACP co-sponsored Foundations of the Future Pharmacist Program, which seeks to make PCAT prep more accessible to all students. As part of this program, Kaplan will significantly reduce tuition for its PCAT prep programs (on site; online On Demand; and live, online Classroom Anywhere), offering more tuition assistance, and giving 250 scholarships to AACP to award at its own discretion.

A critical piece of the pharmacy school admissions process, the PCAT is scored on a scale from 200-600 with the median being a 400. The 90th percentile is typically a 430.  Many pharmacy schools require that applicants score above a particular level on the exam in order to be considered as a candidate for admissions.

“We applaud AACP in its efforts to enable more individuals to enter a field with promising career opportunities, and are pleased to support this goal by providing greater access to PCAT prep for pre-pharmacy students,” said Amjed Saffarini, Vice President of Graduate Programs, Kaplan Test Prep.

Saffarini noted that studies of PCAT scores and pharmacy school GPA show a correlation between success on the PCAT and success in pharmacy school. Members of AACP believe that students who prepare for the PCAT are more likely to succeed in pharmacy school as well.

With a low 3.1% unemployment rate (less than half the national average) and a median annual salary of nearly $115,000, pharmacist is currently ranked as the third best job in the United States, according to the 2013 U.S. News & World Report Best Jobs ranking — just behind dentist and registered nurse.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects pharmacist positions to increase 25% between 2010 and 2020, from 274,000 to 345,000. Advances in healthcare and technology, coupled with great career opportunities, make now an ideal time to pursue pharmacy school, for those with the interest and drive for it.

AACP CEO & EVP, Lucinda L. Maine, Ph.D., R.Ph., said, “AACP looks forward to working with Kaplan to increase access to PCAT preparation for prospective students seeking careers in pharmacy.” Dr. Maine also added, “This type of partnership assists us in meeting our strategic goal of assisting our member institutions in attracting, motivating, developing and retaining the highest quality and most diverse students.”

The initiative to make PCAT prep more accessible comes on the heels of a decline in the number of exam takers.  In the most recently recorded academic year (2012-2013), the PCAT was administered 28,400 times to aspiring pharmacists , its lowest level in nearly a decade.  According to the Pharmacy Manpower Project, a shortfall of as many as 157,000 pharmacists is predicted by 2020, which, added with the projected physician shortage, could have a sharply negative effect on patients and their access to healthcare.

About the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

Founded in 1900, AACP is the national organization representing the interests of pharmacy education. AACP is comprised of all accredited colleges and schools with pharmacy degree programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, including more than 6,500 faculty, 62,500 students enrolled in professional programs and 5,100 individuals pursuing graduate study. To learn more about AACP, visit www.aacp.org.

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.

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Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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

New York, NY (October 11, 2013) – As the Supreme Court revisits the future of affirmative action with Schuette v. the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, recent data from Kaplan Test Prep shows that among admissions officers, those at law schools and medical schools are the most concerned about the potential negative impact of a ban on race-conscious admissions policies, while the gatekeepers at colleges and business schools are much less concerned as a whole.

Sixty-one percent of law school admissions officers surveyed said they believe a ban on affirmative action would hurt efforts to foster racial diversity among their student populations, while at medical schools, a slight majority (52%) expressed similar concern.  In contrast, only 33% of colleges, 34% of business schools, and 40% of graduate schools said they believe a ban on race-conscious admissions policies would negatively impact racial diversity at their schools.

Among the other findings from Kaplan Test Prep’s 2013 admissions officers survey series:

• Schools Overwhelmingly Consider Racial Diversity Important: Of the colleges surveyed, 96% say that it is important for their school’s administration to have a racially diverse student body.  A strong majority of medical schools surveyed (83%) also consider racial diversity in their student population important; law schools were unanimous (100%), business and grad schools nearly so (99% and 98%, respectively).  A lesser majority of students agree: in a Kaplan survey of nearly 700 college applicants in June, 60% said it’s “very important” or “somewhat important” for the college they attend to have a racially diverse student body.

• Affirmative Action Policies Most Prevalent Among Med Schools; Least So Among B-Schools: 16% of business schools, 21% of colleges, 37% of graduate schools, 45% of law schools and 57% of medical schools surveyed reported having race-conscious affirmative action policies currently  in place.  Ten percent of colleges preferred not to say.  (Eight states currently ban the use of race conscious affirmative action: AZ, CA, FL, NE, NH, OK, TX, WA.)

• Most Believe Policies Have Been Effective: Among the schools with affirmative action policies, a strong majority feel these have been effective in fostering racial diversity in their schools (89% of colleges, 96% of law schools, 85% of medical schools, 78% of business schools and 96% of graduate schools).

The findings are notable as the Supreme Court returns to session with a high-profile affirmative action case on the docket: Schuette v. the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, which stems from a 2006 statewide referendum in Michigan, in which voters approved a ban on race as a factor in decision-making in public education, employment and contracting.  A coalition of interest groups and individuals has argued that the ban violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Sixth Circuit Court agreed, overturning the ban in 2011.  Bill Schuette, Michigan’s current state attorney general, has brought the case to the Supreme Court.

“Our data shows that medical and law schools rely the most on affirmative action policies to foster racially diverse student populations, and are the most concerned about the potential negative impact of a ban on race conscious policies,” said Seppy Basili, vice president at Kaplan Test Prep. “But it’s safe to say that most schools value racial diversity, and if affirmative action is eliminated, it’s likely that they’ll seek to achieve a diverse population other ways, including finding other proxies for race to bring diversity to campus and seeking partnerships to improve the pipeline of academically talented, underrepresented students.”

To speak with a Kaplan Test Prep expert about the survey results, please contact Russell Schaffer at  212.453.7538 or russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.

*Admissions officers from 381 of the nation’s top national, regional and liberal arts colleges and universities, as determined by U.S. News & World Report, were polled by telephone between July and August 2013.

**Admissions officers from 121 of the nation’s 203 American Bar Association-approved law schools were polled by telephone between July and September 2013.

**Admissions officers from 79 medical schools across the country (71 accredited by the Association of American Medical Colleges and eight accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine) were polled by telephone between July and September 2013.

+Admissions officers from 146 top business schools around the country were polled by telephone between July and September 2013.

++Admissions officers from 93 top graduate schools, as determined by U.S. News & World Report, were polled by telephone between July and September 2013.

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.

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Declining Law School Applications and Challenging Job Market
Continue to Force Changes in U.S. Legal Education

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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

New York, NY (October  1, 2013) – In a new Kaplan Test  Prep survey*, 54% of law school admissions officers report cutting their entering law school classes for 2013-2014 and 25% plan to do so again next year.  This marks two years in a row that law schools report cutting their entering class sizes; Kaplan’s 2012 survey showed 51% of schools cutting the size of their entering classes. According to the Law School Admission Council, the organization that writes the LSAT, since its recent peak in 2010, law school applications have dropped from 602,300 to 385,400 in 2013 – their lowest level in decades.

In another response to a still challenging job market, 71% of  law schools report introducing more clinical courses and practical training into their curricula, aimed at making their graduating students more “practice ready.”   This comes in the wake of an American Bar Association task force report in September that calls for sweeping changes in legal education, including greater focus on practice-readiness, more financial aid, and greater experimentation and differentiation by law schools.**

Other key findings from Kaplan Test Prep’s survey of law school admissions officers:

• Change Needed: 78% of law school admissions officers think that “the U.S. legal education system needs to undergo significant changes to better prepare future attorneys for the changing employment landscape and legal profession.” On this point, they agree with the vast majority of pre-law students (79%) and recent law school graduates (87%) who answered the same way in June and August Kaplan surveys, respectively.

• Near-term pessimism: 67% don’t think the steep,  three-year decline of law school applications will reverse itself in the 2013-2014 admissions cycle.

• More Schools Accepted June LSAT Scores: Traditionally, February has been the latest LSAT administration from which law schools accepted scores for fall admissions, but a growing number of schools have been accepting June LSAT scores – likely seeking to increase applicant pools. 78% of schools say they accepted scores from the June 2013 LSAT administration for the academic year that started in fall 2013; this was an increase over the 68% who say they accepted June 2012 LSAT scores for fall 2012 admissions.

Results from a smaller subset of law school survey respondents show that just 25% agree with President Obama’s recent statement that law schools should think about condensing their current three year programs into two year programs for all JD candidates. The finding reflects the view  that this fundamental change may be a hard sell among law schools and is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

“Our survey finds that law schools are adapting to a challenging marketplace and realistic about how long it may take to get to a better place.  The good news is that most law schools say they are already taking measures to provide better practical training for their students,” said Jeff Thomas, director of pre-law programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “While it’s clear there will be more changes and challenges ahead for legal education, ideally schools are looking at ways to better prepare tomorrow’s lawyers for finding a job and succeeding in their careers.”

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s 2013 survey of law school admissions officers and/or schedule an interview with a Kaplan law school admissions expert, please contact Russell Schaffer at 212.453.7538 or russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.

*Admissions officers from 127 of the nation’s 203 American Bar Association-approved law schools — including 10 of the top 25 ranked ones, as compiled by U.S. News & World Report — were polled by telephone between July and September 2013.

** “Task Force Backs Changes in Legal Education System,” The New York Times, September 20, 2013, Tamar Lewin: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/education/task-force-backs-changes-in-legal-education-system.html?_r=0

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.

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Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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

New York, NY (September 27, 2013) – Kaplan Publishing, a leading publisher of academic and professional development resources, has partnered with Kno, a leading education software provider, to bring e-books to medical school students and doctors studying for the United States Medical Licensing Examination.  The USMLE, divided into Steps 1, 2 and 3, is taken by tens of thousands of aspiring doctors annually as a requirement to practice medicine in the United States.

The titles included for the Kaplan/Kno partnership are MedEssentials, USMLE Step 1 Microbiology/Immunology, USMLE Step 1 Pharmacology, USMLE Step 2 Internal Medicine, and USMLE Step 2 Surgery.

A recent survey of Kaplan students showed that 97% report owning a tablet device, electronic reader or smartphone.  In the survey, students noted the value of portability from print to digital and across devices, accessibility and offline access in their e-books.  Noted one student, “It’s nice to have all these books on one small device,” while another observed, “Constant access is useful.”  The Kno eTextbooks enable students to carry all their reading on a single device, access their textbooks across many platforms and devices, and conduct their reading offline and on-the-go.

Yet despite students’ overwhelming adoption of smartphones and tablet devices, many still prefer to have the option of reading their books in the traditional print format — with the majority of students surveyed indicating the desire for both options.

“In an age of Wikipedia and Google, where an overwhelming amount of information is readily available, the key is not just in the right information, but in how it’s delivered.  Students want choice in how they prepare for important exams like the USMLE,” said Maureen McMahon, president and publisher, Kaplan Publishing.  “Students would ideally prefer to move seamlessly between print and digital formats. It’s important that we help students study in the formats that best meet their preferences and fall within their comfort zones.”

McMahon notes that Kaplan is using digital content throughout all the major exams the company prepares test takers for, including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, SAT and ACT, to improve student outcomes.  “For example, search makes it easier for students to quickly find the content they need to study; and portability and offline access means students can squeeze in more study time without searching for WiFi access,” McMahon said.  “Many of Kno’s annotation features allow students to port over their existing study habits from print to digital formats.”

In the months to come, Kaplan will be rolling out more e-study advancements to help students better prepare for exams in the ways that best meet their study habits and lifestyle needs.

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.

About Kno

Kno, Inc. is an education software company on a mission to “Change The Way Students Learn.” We believe engagement is a leading indicator of learning success and grades are a lagging indicator. So we have partnered with over 80 leading publishers to offer more than 200,000 interactive titles that make learning more engaging, efficient, and social for students. They are the same books, only smarter. Each Kno eTextbook is packed with interactive features, assessments, and social sharing tools to engage students at the point of learning. And the Kno platform provides administrators and teachers with the tools they need to easily assign, manage, and monitor their digital learning content and assessments at an enterprise level. For more information, go to www.kno.com, or follow Kno at http://facebook.com/GoodtoKno and http://twitter.com/GoodtoKNO.

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Also: With the SAT Set for a 2015 Overhaul, Kaplan Survey Finds College Admissions Officers Recommend These Changes: Greater Sensitivity to Diverse Backgrounds, Revamping Writing Section, Better Alignment with High School Curriculum

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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

New York, NY (September 26, 2013) –  Mark Freidberg, Vice President and General Manager of Pre-College programs at Kaplan Test Prep, offered the following statement on today’s SAT scores report and accompanying Report on College and Career Readiness released by the College Board:

“Stagnant scores are less cause for concern than the broader issue raised, which is college readiness.  But this is a complex landscape, and college readiness means different things to different audiences. College admissions officers do look at test scores, but they recognize it’s an incomplete picture. Guidance counselors are focused on educating parents and students on the college admissions process and options.  Parents and students are very concerned with the cost associated with going to college — and ultimately, employability. It’s important in the discussion of college readiness not to lose sight of the broader picture.”

The SAT scores report comes on the heels of a just-released Kaplan Test Prep survey* of 422 colleges and universities across the country showing that 72% of admissions officers agree that “the SAT should be changed.”  Though the SAT maker hasn’t provided many specifics about the planned changes, the announced intent is to better align the exam with what students learn.  College admissions officers surveyed offered an array of opinions on what needs to be changed about the SAT, most notably: being more sensitive to perceived socioeconomic and cultural biases; revamping, making optional or even eliminating the Writing section; and making the SAT’s content more reflective of high school curriculum.

To speak with an SAT and college admissions expert at Kaplan Test Prep, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

* For the 2013 survey, 422 admissions officers from the nation’s top national, liberal arts and regional colleges and universities – as compiled from U.S. News & World Report – were polled by telephone between July and August 2013.  Among participating schools were 20 of the top 50 ranked ones:
http://press.kaptest.com/press-releases/kaplan-test-prep-survey-while-details-are-still-scarce-on-the-planned-2015-sat-overhaul-72-of-college-admissions-officers-agree-the-test-should-be-changed

SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, 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.

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Gatekeepers cite need for greater sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, questions about
Writing section value, desire for greater alignment with high school curriculum

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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

New York, NY (September 19, 2013) – The SAT and ACT®, the high-stakes admissions exams taken by millions of aspiring college students each year, will both look very different in two years — and that’s welcome news to college admissions officers.  According to Kaplan Test Prep’s 2013 survey* of college admissions officers from 422 top schools across the country, 72% agree that “the SAT should be changed” — which aligns with the College Board’s plan to overhaul the test in 2015.  Though the SAT maker hasn’t provided many specifics about the planned changes, the announced intent is to better align the exam with what students learn.  Test takers can also expect changes to the Writing section, where mastery of facts will be more prominent.

College admissions officers surveyed offered an array of opinions on what needs to be changed about the SAT, most notably:

• Being more sensitive to perceived socioeconomic and cultural biases

• Revamping, making optional or even eliminating the Writing section

• Making the SAT’s content more reflective of high school curriculum

While admissions officers support revising the SAT, students are more ambivalent. In a separate Kaplan survey of SAT takers in March, only 39% of students said the exam should change, while 35% opted for no change; remaining survey respondents were unsure.  The last time the SAT saw a major revamp was in 2005 when the Writing Section was added, bringing the scoring scale up to 2400 from 1600.

Admissions officers are more comfortable with the current ACT, with 76% saying the ACT should not change, at least from a content perspective; the vast majority (87%) agree with the test maker’s decision to change the ACT to a computer-based format in 2015.

“Aspiring college students and their parents will have much to process over the next two years as both the SAT and ACT fundamentally change,” said Seppy Basili, vice president of K-12 and college admissions programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “Key things to consider: exams are rarely easier after a major change, and few teens have ever taken a three-hour long computer-based test. We’ll be tracking the changes closely and update our own curriculum accordingly to ensure students are prepared.”

Also of note: Of the 88% of colleges and universities surveyed that require either an SAT or ACT score for admission, 99% say they have no plans to drop the requirement.

Other key survey results:

• On Grade Inflation: 60% of college admissions officers think grade inflation is a problem; of this group, 60% say Advanced Placement courses contribute to the problem. (Grades in AP courses are weighted more heavily into a student’s GPA than are non-AP courses.)

• On AP Courses: Only 10% of college admissions officers say an applicant’s AP test scores are “very important,” while nearly three times as many (27%) say it’s “not at all important” (37% say AP scores are “somewhat important” and 26% say they’re “not very important”)

• On College Application Essays: A strong majority of college admissions officers (68%) say that they’d describe less than a third of applicants’ personal essays as “excellent or outstanding.”

• On Plagiarism: 10% of college admissions officers say plagiarism is a “somewhat” to “very” serious problem among applicants; 10% of admissions officers also use anti-plagiarism software to catch relevant cases among applicants.

* For the 2013 survey, 422 admissions officers from the nation’s top national, liberal arts and regional colleges and universities – as compiled from U.S. News & World Report – were polled by telephone between July and August 2013.  Among participating schools were four of the top ten ranked ones.

SAT is a registered trademark of 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.

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Latest Expansion Will Make Kaplan Full-Service Bar Review Available to 96%
of All Bar Takers Nationwide

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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

New York, NY (September 18, 2013) – Kaplan Bar Review, a leading provider of full-service bar preparation, is launching its full-service bar review programs to students preparing for the state bar exams in four more states: Connecticut and Rhode Island,  in time for the February 2014 bar exams,  and Louisiana and Oregon, in time for the July 2014 bar exams. This latest expansion brings to 42 the total number of states served by Kaplan Bar Review (as of July 2014), accounting for more than 96 percent of the entire U.S. bar-taking population.

“Kaplan Bar Review’s expansion of full-service bar review to these four additional states enables students in these states to benefit from our unsurpassed curriculum and resources, and builds on our continued success in helping an ever-growing number of law students across the country to pass the bar,” said Steven Marietti, vice president and general manager, Kaplan Bar Review. “We’re pleased to deliver students Kaplan Bar Review’s practical tools to help them understand and remember legal concepts; unlimited essay grading that provides students with clear and specific feedback; exam-like, multiple-choice practice questions; and an adaptive, exam-focused daily syllabus that progressively tailors learning to individual students and helps them improve their weakest areas.”

Although pass rates vary by state, overall 67 percent of all bar exam takers (55,253 out of 82,920) nationally passed their exam In 2012 (the most recent fully recorded year).  The pass rates for all students in Connecticut (73 percent), Oregon (72 percent), and Rhode Island (78 percent) were above the national average; Louisiana’s pass rate of 59 percent was below.

About Kaplan Bar Review

Kaplan Bar Review (www.kaplanbarreview.com) provides full-service bar review programs in 42 states (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming) and Washington DC, making its courses available to over 96% of the U.S. Bar-taking population. Additionally, Kaplan Bar Review offers supplemental preparation for the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE).

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Familiar List of Names and Rankings Should Encourage College Applicants to Think Independently

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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

New York, NY (September 10, 2013) – Kaplan Test Prep issued the following statement today regarding how students should view the U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 college rankings that were just released today:

“The U.S. News & World Report college rankings, long a trusted companion for students going through the college admissions process, can be helpful as an aggregate source of data around different factors such as student population, academic life and other considerations.  The statistics behind the rankings can offer useful insights.  For example, a school’s freshmen retention rate can be a good indicator of whether current students are happy at that school and a school’s financial aid profile can indicate its likelihood of offering need- or merit-based aid.  That said, a school’s actual rank is probably more important to administrators and alumni than it is to the average college applicant.

Our advice to students is not to focus on where a college falls in the rankings.  Just because it’s a familiar, prestigious name doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a good match. Instead, they should find schools that have the academic programs and social environment that create the best overall ‘fit’ for their academic, financial and lifestyle needs.”

To arrange an interview with a Kaplan Test Prep college admissions expert, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or  212.453.7538.

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.

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Findings Echo President Obama’s Remarks Suggesting Law Schools Should Consider Shortening Their Length of Study

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Twitter: @KapTestNews, @KaplanBarReview

New York, NY (September 10, 2013) – A new Kaplan Bar Review survey* of 712 law school graduates from the class of 2013 finds that a strong majority of newly minted JDs agree with President Barack Obama’s recent comments** that law schools should think about changing  the way they currently educate aspiring attorneys. Among the findings:

• Belief that Legal Education Needs to Change:  87% of new law school graduates surveyed say that the U.S. legal education system needs “to undergo significant changes to better prepare future attorneys for the changing employment landscape and legal profession.”  Notably, the American Bar Association, the organization that accredits law schools, agrees with these new JDs and is currently preparing to make recommendations on how to address growing concerns about the cost of a law school education and its effectiveness in preparing graduates to practice. In the meantime though, some law schools are already taking proactive measures on these fronts.***

• Support for Less is More: Specifically, when asked, “Do you think the traditional three-year law school education can be condensed into two years without negatively impacting the practice-readiness of new attorneys?”, 63% answered in the affirmative.

• More Clinics: But if a third year is required, 97% say they favor a law school model that incorporates clinical experience, which is designed to make students more practice-ready. During the first two years of law school, students generally take courses on the basics of law, while the third year is spent taking electives.

• High Marks for Law School:  Despite law school graduates’ call for changes, the  vast majority still give their law school high marks.  37% gave their law school education an “A” grade, while 50% gave it a “B”.  Only 11% gave their legal education a “C” grade; 1% scored it a “D”.  No respondents gave their law school education an “F”.

“Because of the current challenging  job market for lawyers and subsequent decline in law school applications, this is an unprecedented time of introspection within the legal education community. While some law schools are already implementing curriculum changes to adapt to the changing landscape, the likelihood of any widespread changes across legal education is years away,” said Steve Marietti, General Manager, Kaplan Bar Review. “In reality, the length of a law school education is less relevant than whether it’s effective in helping students succeed.”

For more information about Kaplan Bar Review’s survey and the changing  landscape of legal education, please contact Russell Schaffer at 212.453.7538 or russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.

*The online survey was conducted in August 2013 of 712 law school graduates who took a bar review course with Kaplan Bar Review.

**“Obama Suggests Shaving One Year Off Of Law School,” ABC News, August 23, 2013, Arlette Saenz. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/08/obama-fields-questions-on-education-at-town-hall/

***”Does law school have a future?”, Forbes,  December 18, 2012, Elizabeth G. Olson. http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/12/18/does-law-school-have-a-future/

About Kaplan Bar Review

Kaplan Bar Review (www.kaplanbarreview.com) provides full-service bar review programs in 38 states (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming) and Washington DC, making its courses available to over 92% of the U.S. Bar-taking population. Additionally, Kaplan Bar Review offers supplemental preparation for the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE).

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Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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

New York, NY (September 3, 2013) – Kaplan Test Prep is pleased to announce the winners of its second annual “Stanley’s Story, Your Story” essay contest, a national competition held to honor Stanley Kaplan, the inspiring educational visionary, and help aspiring college students pay for their education. The essay contest, which asked high school students to write in 100 words or less who inspired them most and why, drew over 3,100 entrants.  From those 3,100+ entries, a select group of essay enthusiasts from Kaplan then winnowed down the field to 10, which were then posted to Kaplan’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KaplanSAT, and voted on by the public to choose three top winners.  Here are the talented writers the voting public selected and their winning essays:

Laney Morris, of Flower Mound, Texas, the first place winner who received a $3,000 scholarship, wrote about the bravery of Malala Yousufzai, a 14-year old in Pakistan who stood up for the rights of girls to receive an education:

“This 14 year old took a stand for girls’ education in Pakistan, voicing the injustice of living under Taliban control in her anonymous blog.  And because of her courage, she was shot in the head as she rode a bus home from school last October. Malala Yousafzai recovered, with an even stronger voice. After recently writing her memoir, she will speak before the United Nations, and is currently nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. She is my age, and yet I am overwhelmed by her strength, bravery, and boldness. She won’t be intimidated as she fights for education for all.”

Nicholas Crossan, of Oreland, Pennsylvania, the second place winner and recipient of a $1,000 scholarship, wrote about a friend’s strength after his brother committed suicide:

“In the wake of his brother’s death, my friend, Chase Luxton, upholds his strength and continues to remember his brother each day. Cole committed suicide at the age of 15 and devastated my entire community. Chase felt tremendous pain but was able to transcend his depression and start a campaign for the better. ‘Keep on Smiling’ has been printed on shirts and wristbands, and even trended worldwide on twitter. It amazes me how my small town can make such a large impact; Chase and my community have raised awareness of suicide throughout the world. Chase inspires me to stay strong when I feel like giving up, and to ‘keep on smiling,’ always.”

The third place winner and recipient of a Kaplan SAT or ACT course is a student from Oregon who  wrote about a chemistry teacher who gave her direction and put her on a path to success.

“We extend our congratulations to the ‘Stanley Story, Your Story’ essay contest  winners and our thanks to all those who participated by submitting their stories of hope and inspiration, as well as those who voted on our Facebook page.  We received over 3,100 submissions from students around the country, and truly enjoyed what they shared with us.” said Kate Hurley, SAT and ACT  programs manager, Kaplan Test Prep. “As contest participants head off to college or continue their journey through the college admissions process, we hope they continue to draw inspiration from others and also become sources of inspiration themselves.”

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.

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