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.
# # #
Participating Admissions Officers are from the Top Ranked Harvard University School of Law, New York University School of Law, University of Virginia School of Law, and
University of Pennsylvania Law school
Monday, August 19, 8:00 PM ET; Register at http://blog.kaplanlsat.com/the-180-live/
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 (August 16, 2013) – Kaplan Test Prep’s most popular event for pre-law students is back, for its third straight year. “You Be The Judge – A Mock Admissions Roundtable,” a special episode on Kaplan’s legal affairs web show “The 180,” airing Monday, August 19, at 8:00pm ET, will give aspiring law students a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens during a law school admissions committee meeting.
Viewers will get to watch admissions officers from Harvard University School of Law (@Harvard_Law), New York University School of Law (@nyulaw), University of Virginia School of Law (@UVALaw), and University of Pennsylvania Law school (@PennLaw) conduct a realistic mock admissions meeting. They will review, discuss and analyze “sample” applicants’ LSAT scores, undergraduate transcripts, personal statements, diversity statements, letters of recommendation, resumes and work experience, academic misconducts, criminal records, application addenda and more to show attendees exactly how they arrive at their ultimate decisions.
During the event, online attendees can weigh in with their own opinions on “the committee’s” deliberations and verdicts as part of a live Twitter chat, using the hashtag #the180. Plus they can ask questions directly to Kaplan Test Prep admissions experts.
First held in August 2011, “You Be The Judge – A Mock Admissions Roundtable” is Kaplan’s largest annual pre-law event, attracting thousands of prospective law school students.
“During this time of unprecedented change in both law school application trends and legal education*, this must-attend event will give pre-law students an exclusive look into how the actual decision makers arrive at their final judgments of who gets in, who doesn’t, and why. The powerhouse admissions panel we assembled from some of the country’s top JD programs will give attendees unparalleled behind the doors access,” said Jeff Thomas, director of pre-law programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “While an applicant’s LSAT remains by far the most important admissions factor, this event will give attendees a complete, holistic view of exactly what else top law schools look for in new students. The admissions decisions they arrived at regarding the mock applicants will surprise you, as what transpired opened the eyes of many members of the studio audience.”
To register for the event, students can visit http://blog.kaplanlsat.com/the-180-live/. Journalists interested in learning more about the changing legal education and law school admissions landscapes, are also welcome to attend and can contact Russell Schaffer at 212.453.7538 or russell.schaffer@kaplan.com for more information.
* “Is legal education solely law schools’ responsibility? ABA task force thinks not,” The ABA Journal, Mark Hansen, June 26, 2013: http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/task_force_efforts_focus_on_broad_themes/
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.
# # #