Clear Admit: “Kaplan Survey Indicates Pre-Law Interest in Non- Traditional Jobs”
The National Law Journal: “More Pre-law Students Are Planning Non-legal Careers”
Graduate Guide: “For law school graduates, flexibility may be required”
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews
New York, NY (April 16, 2013) – Angry Birds, Temple Run, Draw Something…all fun apps, but none prepare increasingly busy teens for the critical college admissions test, like Kaplan Test Prep’s new Kaplan’s SAT Quiz U, now available for download for the iPhone and iPad in the iTunes store at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id607250447.
Here’s how it works. Students get free, short diagnostic quizzes with Kaplan’s SAT Quiz U for each of the three sections of the exam: Math, Critical Reading and Writing. Each diagnostic will identify students’ areas of strengths and weaknesses in that section, then students can download (for 99 cents each) targeted practice packs for the areas most challenging to them to improve their score on Test Day. Each practice pack provides students with about 40 questions arranged in timed 3-5 minute quizzes. After students have mastered the questions, they can move on to the next step for high scorers and download the Challenge Pack ($1.99), which focuses on the highest difficulty questions that students will see on the SAT’s Math, Critical Reading and Writing sections.
The feature-rich app was developed on Arcadia Apps, a software platform that enables content providers to publish highly interactive and engaging educational apps. For example, in lieu of paper and pencil, students can simply use their fingers or a stylus to draw on the workspace next to the question to work out the right answer. A built-in calculator can easily be pulled up as students work through the problem. Students will also learn Kaplan strategies taught by Kaplan teachers through detailed video answers and explanations for all questions.
“Kaplan Test Prep has always sought to make test prep as accessible as possible and with students rarely leaving home without their iPhone or iPad, Kaplan’s SAT Quiz U gives them the portable, fast-paced, prep they need to get ready for the SAT almost anywhere they want, when they want,” said Eitan Dantzig, director of online SAT and ACT prep, Kaplan Test Prep. “We speak with our students on a regular basis and we know this is the kind of app that will help them balance their responsibilities in both their academic and social lives.”
Wens Gerdyman, co-founder of Arcadia Apps, added, “We worked with Kaplan to add adaptive feedback and game mechanics to make the student experience more engaging. Add Kaplan’s top-notch problem sets and instructions, and you have an app that is guaranteed to help students improve their understanding and ultimately their test scores.”
Kaplan was the first test prep company to bring SAT prep to iOS devices back in 2007. Prior to that, Kaplan provided students with portable prep delivered to their smartphones. Since then, the test prep company has provided students with a series of other SAT and ACT apps for their mobile devices, including Flashcubes. Later this year, Kaplan will make Kaplan’s SAT Quiz U available for Android devices. And for students who want prep for the ACT, that’s coming too – Kaplan’s ACT Quiz U will launch this summer.
In 2012, more than 1.66 million students in the class of 2012 took the SAT, making it the largest class of SAT takers in history in the exam’s nearly 90-year history. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, a student’s score on the SAT (or ACT®) remains the third most important factor in the college admissions process, just behind grades in college prep courses like Advanced Placement.
*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. None of the trademark holders are 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.
About Arcadia Apps
The Arcadia Apps (www.arcadia-apps.com) software platform allows content providers to launch high-quality apps in a scalable manner for iOS, Android OS, and the web. The platform allows content providers to produce professional looking, highly interactive apps in iTunes App Store and Android marketplaces. The cloud-based Learning Object library supports graphics, exercise sets, and video clips and tutorials. Founded in Silicon Valley, Arcadia Apps is one of the leading providers of mobile education software platform.
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Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews
New York, NY (April 11, 2013) – The employment stats don’t paint a pretty picture for pre-law students looking ahead, but flexibility about their future career and their passion for it is driving them forward. According to a recent Kaplan Test Prep survey* of more than 200 pre-law students, 50% say they plan to use their law degree in a non-traditional legal field. Of that 50%, nearly three out of five (58%) said the current job market for lawyers factored into this decision. Forty-three (43%) percent of survey respondents overall said they plan to use their law degree to pursue a job in the business world rather than in the legal world—which helps explain why 42% said they’d likely pursue an MBA if they weren’t already pursuing a JD.
The growing interest in non-traditional legal jobs comes on the heels of the latest report from the American Bar Association which shows that just 56% of 2012 graduates secured long-term, full-time jobs that required bar passage—a 1% increase over the class of 2011.
Other results from the Kaplan Test Prep survey of pre-law students:
“We’ve always encouraged pre-law students to think about how to finance their legal education and what they can do with their degree, but with the recent contraction in the job market for lawyers, it’s clear that students are more concerned than ever about the financial investment in law school and are seeking assistance to ensure that they’ll get a strong return on that investment,” said Jeff Thomas, director of pre-law programs, Kaplan Test Prep.
“Also, in addition to putting greater focus on prioritizing and planning, pre-law students are increasingly considering non-traditional career options. While we’d always counsel students to go to law school with the intent to practice law, society is filled with lawyers in all types of positions—politicians, lobbyists, authors, law enforcement officials, executives at professional sports leagues, and more—which shows that law degrees can be applied to a broad range of career options.”
To speak with a Kaplan Test Prep law school admissions expert about the survey and other issues in legal education, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.
*The online survey was conducted in February 2013 of 228 pre-law students who took a Kaplan LSAT course.
** The online survey was conducted in February 2013 of 264 law school students who took a Kaplan Bar Review course.
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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8 CommentsAvailable for Interview: A Kaplan Test Prep Expert Can Explain the State of College Admissions
and What the Options Are for Accepted, Rejected and Waitlisted Students
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews
New York, NY (April 10, 2013) – It’s the season of agony and ecstasy for college applicants and their supportive parents. But while many have succeeded in getting into their top picks in a year of record low acceptance rates (e.g. Harvard at 5.8%, Yale at 6.7%, Princeton at 7.3%, Columbia at 6.9%, and University of Pennsylvania at 12.1%), many more applicants are coping with the disappointment of rejection or being in waitlist limbo, wondering what to do next. Meanwhile, even those accepted to their top choice schools are grappling with difficult financial aid-influenced decisions.
What should students do and how can parents be supportive of their efforts? Kaplan Test Prep’s experts offer these words of advice for some common scenarios during the college admissions season:
My top choice school rejected me! Where do I go now? It’s a major disappointment, but with many of the nation’s most competitive schools announcing record low acceptance rates this cycle, you are in good company. Life’s fate will not be determined by having earned more “yes’s” than “no’s.” Ideally you’ve applied to multiple places, including “safety schools,” which should mean you do have options. Focus on your available choices and look at their financial aid packages. Consider whether the school is a “fit” for you academically and for your lifestyle. If cost is a major consideration, you may want to factor in geography with regard to travel expenses.
I’ve been waitlisted. Do I wait? The last thing you should do if you are put on a waitlist is wait. Submit new, relevant information to the college admissions office: midterm grades, awards, new leadership roles, etc. Show them why you are a “must-have student.” It is still tough to get off the waitlist, but taking some concrete steps may increase the odds. However, be conscious that you not go overboard, as you don’t want to cross the line and harass the admissions office. According to a recent National Association for College Admissions Counseling survey, about 55% of waitlisted students opted to remain on the list, and on average, 31% of them were eventually accepted, though it varies widely by school. At the most competitive schools, just 17% made it off the waitlist. In the meantime though, definitely consider the schools that did say “We want you now.”
I got into my top college choice. But, what if they didn’t give me enough financial aid? Learn the art of the bargain. Unlike FAFSA offers, which are non-negotiable, financial aid packages awarded directly by colleges are. Since they’ve already accepted you, they more than likely will work with you. Respectfully tell the college how your family’s financial situation may have changed or how your activities since applying warrant additional aid; the worst that can happen is the request is denied. And, parents, discussing family finances with your child isn’t always easy, but this is an important situation for you to be as honest as possible. It could really pay off.
I got into several of my top schools, but how do I decide which one to attend? This is a good situation to be in, but that doesn’t mean the decision will be easy. Refer to the list of factors you considered when you first applied. See how well the colleges that have offered you admission meet those requirements. If paying for college is an important factor, evaluate their financial aid packages. The best way to make the final decision is to visit (or revisit) the campuses that are still in the running. Then, discuss it with those who know you best and make an informed decision on a school about which you are excited.
To arrange an interview with a Kaplan Test Prep expert who can expand on this advice for students and parents, please contact Russell Schaffer at 212.453.7538 or russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.
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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