For Those Who Teach at a Prep Course... Forum

[DoubleChecks]

I was wondering, for anyone who currently teaches or has taught at a prep course like PR, Kaplan, Powerscore, BB, TM, etc. -- do they normally hire individuals who can only commit the next say half yr?

I was thinking about applying to teach a course (sounds fun and something I would love to do), but I can only do so till mid-summer ish. Would they bother hiring me and having me go through the supposedly difficult training (at least for PR I hear) when I would only be able to stay 6 months ish?

[tomwatts]

I teach for Princeton Review, so I can answer for us, anyway. It depends on how desperate your local office is for teachers. Normally they'd like a one-year commitment, but if they're in a bind and you can teach a couple of courses (maybe one for June and then one early summer course?), they'll definitely want you. Call 'em and ask; odds are, they'll say yes.

[MURPH]

Some will take you for short gigs. If you mention that you don't want to work during 1 L but will probably need to work during 2L you will have some advantage. I would only teach if you want to retake and get a better score. I got 170, taught for nine months and got a 175. Teaching is actually a pain in the ass. It requires a lot of prep work before class if you plan on doing a good job and you only get paid for class time.
If you get a 170 or so you will be better off putting an ad on craigslist and flyers around campus and just going solo. It pays better and you'll have more flexibility for tutoring.

[puppleberry finn]

I just tutor privately. I can always pick my hours, say no to new students if I don't think they are going to work hard, and start and stop whenever I want. Plus I think the pay is better.

[DoubleChecks]

thanks for the tips guys

well i want to teach because i kinda enjoy doing it. i need a job for 6 months, im willing to work part-time but also more hrs as well, and this just sounds like something really interesting and something i want to do, while getting some money on the side

im already done w/ the LSAT and applying to law schools haha, so its not to get a better LSAT score (whew!)

[dueprocess14]

I teach for one of the major companies and they never asked how long I would be available, even after they hired me. I know several people who are only teaching for about 6 months, etc. Generally not a problem if they think you'll be good.

[straxen]

For me (Kaplan), it didn't seem that they really cared---they were salivating over my score. I totally blew the audition too. I pretty much drew a phallus on the board (completely by accident), twice, and nobody seemed to care.

I did the whole thing for PowerScore too, but the process was too drawn out with them, and the amount of work they promised was seriously low, so I lost interest and signed a non-compete with Kaplan. FWIW, in the time I was going through the PowerScore process, they never asked either.

Kaplan never asked if I would be there for the long haul, and it was pretty clear I would be moving on pretty soon. Of course, I had to stay long enough to go through the training and commit to a class, but that was all. Though, in all honesty, it probably depends on your credentials and the attitude and needs of the center.

[kumba84]

I got a 169 so I think Kaplan is the only company that will hire me. I'm interested in tutoring for them part-time on evenings and weekends this summer. Do they hire tutors for that type of setup? I know the pay is horrible, but I just need some extra cash. I tried finding info on their website but it's not very specific at all.

[pleasetryagain]

I got a 169 so I think Kaplan is the only company that will hire me. I'm interested in tutoring for them part-time on evenings and weekends this summer. Do they hire tutors for that type of setup? I know the pay is horrible, but I just need some extra cash. I tried finding info on their website but it's not very specific at all.

For Kaplan you have to teach a class or two and be reviewed before they will let you tutor (unless of course, you get lucky and they dont have enough tutors). For the most part, though, you will be teaching classes - provided you pass the interview and audition.

[kumba84]

I got a 169 so I think Kaplan is the only company that will hire me. I'm interested in tutoring for them part-time on evenings and weekends this summer. Do they hire tutors for that type of setup? I know the pay is horrible, but I just need some extra cash. I tried finding info on their website but it's not very specific at all.

For Kaplan you have to teach a class or two and be reviewed before they will let you tutor (unless of course, you get lucky and they dont have enough tutors). For the most part, though, you will be teaching classes - provided you pass the interview and audition.

Thanks, DCD. I actually meant teach, I just typed tutor. So...do you think they'd let me teach only for the summer? Like from May-August? Not interested in continuing during 1L.

[of Benito Cereno]

I just tutor privately. I can always pick my hours, say no to new students if I don't think they are going to work hard, and start and stop whenever I want. Plus I think the pay is better.

how did you first start finding students?

[pleasetryagain]

I got a 169 so I think Kaplan is the only company that will hire me. I'm interested in tutoring for them part-time on evenings and weekends this summer. Do they hire tutors for that type of setup? I know the pay is horrible, but I just need some extra cash. I tried finding info on their website but it's not very specific at all.

For Kaplan you have to teach a class or two and be reviewed before they will let you tutor (unless of course, you get lucky and they dont have enough tutors). For the most part, though, you will be teaching classes - provided you pass the interview and audition.

Thanks, DCD. I actually meant teach, I just typed tutor. So...do you think they'd let me teach only for the summer? Like from May-August? Not interested in continuing during 1L.

Depends. If yo get through training in time (5-6 classes over 5-6 weeks) I dont see why they wouldnt. However, if you are in a class with 3 other techers who all can commit a year, I'd imagine theyd pick them over you. Contrarily, if they are in need of a teacher they will hire you for any period of time.

[kumba84]

I got a 169 so I think Kaplan is the only company that will hire me. I'm interested in tutoring for them part-time on evenings and weekends this summer. Do they hire tutors for that type of setup? I know the pay is horrible, but I just need some extra cash. I tried finding info on their website but it's not very specific at all.

For Kaplan you have to teach a class or two and be reviewed before they will let you tutor (unless of course, you get lucky and they dont have enough tutors). For the most part, though, you will be teaching classes - provided you pass the interview and audition.

Thanks, DCD. I actually meant teach, I just typed tutor. So...do you think they'd let me teach only for the summer? Like from May-August? Not interested in continuing during 1L.

Depends. If yo get through training in time (5-6 classes over 5-6 weeks) I dont see why they wouldnt. However, if you are in a class with 3 other techers who all can commit a year, I'd imagine theyd pick them over you. Contrarily, if they are in need of a teacher they will hire you for any period of time.

Thanks for the info!

[09042014]

How much do they pay, and how hard is it to find a job if you have a 176?

[MURPH]

DesertFox, You can probably start charging $50/hr on your own. The company I worked for paid $30. Testmasters paid $50 in major markets $30 in minor markets I think. If you have a 176 you won't have trouble finding work. It is a pain in the ass sometimes, especially if you work through a company and cannot drop students who are wasting time. There are a few out there whose Daddys are lawyers and are willing to pay for their kids to goof off for a few more months even after their disappointing 5 years in college. Not all but some really waste your time. You also don't get paid for prep work, which is fine if you are going to retest but boring if not.

[lakerfanimal]

Hate to slightly go off topic, but I didn't want to start an entirely new thread.

For those who teach at a prep-course, how many hours do you usually work a week? I've already sent in applications to 3 companies to start in the summer, and I want to work around 15-25 hours. Also, for those that teach, how do you like it?

Thanks!

[Atlas LSAT Teacher]

Hours depend greatly on the season. In the spring and summertime, many people are heavily booked up. Now is the desert season, when only the rare LSAT flower blooms

Companies vary in terms of how many hours they require/can provide. 15-25 is definitely doable.