A new vision of test preparation?

It is no wonder why more and more undergraduate students are attending graduate school these days. With a bachelor’s degree worth far less in the marketplace than it was 20 years ago, and the economy hemorrhaging jobs, graduate school isn’t only a safe option – it’s the only option.?

While it is true that GPA, class rank, college rank and community service play a pivotal role in the admissions process, admission test scores (LSAT, MCAT, PCAT and GRE) can open and close doors and are key to scholarship offers which are a necessity now that loan markets have frozen up.?
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Test preparation companies like Kaplan, Princeton Review and Testmasters abound and are well regarded for the results they’ve helped students to achieve. But at a cost of $1,000 or more (my Testmasters LSAT course cost $1,400) they are out of reach for far too many students. Moreover, it is challenging for students to find time to coordinate a test prep class in their schedule (Testmasters; 8 hours a week for 10 weeks). So two problems exist – prohibitive cost and time constraints.?
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I have envisioned a way that VCU can become a better incubator of success for its graduates. By implementing a plan I call GradPrep, VCU can make a profound difference in students’ lives in this tremendous time of economic uncertainty. GradPrep would solve both major problems students face when attempting to enroll in a test preparation course – cost and time.
?GradPrep would call for VCU to do the following:

 Poll students to find out which tests are taken the most.

 Contract with the test preparation company that is known for producing the most efficacious results for each test.

 Allow students to register for these classes throughout the school year with eServices in a “summer class” model (meaning that if not enough students register to make it profitable then don’t offer the class at that time).

 Ensure financial aid covers these courses just like any other course.

 Offer credit for these courses as electives in all majors.

 Poll students every semester for efficacy and renegotiate contracts every two years.?

High graduate test admission scores benefit not only students, but also will benefit VCU. Our school rank partly depends on our ability to act as a “feeder” school, putting students into high caliber programs at graduate institutions. Such feeding increases our awareness, reputation and can be a dominate factor in raising money-which is no small feat in this economy. To be sure, we have been very successful at raising money in the past few years; because of both outgoing President Eugene P. Trani’s leadership and our community’s cohesiveness. But we still have not reached our potential, or have fully harvested our resources.

While it is true that rankings aren’t everything, to think they are not indicative of a school’s economic and capital resources, academic prestige, research funding, alumni giving and size and breadth of incoming freshman class is not only unsophisticated but highly detrimental.?

In the coming months I will be further outlining the GradPrep plan and speaking with leaders throughout our campus, seeking input, cooperation and consensus from the Board of Visitors, President-elect Michael Rao, Dean of Students Rueben Rodriguez, other facets of the administration, faculty, SGA and the student population.

Collectively, we can we can ensure more graduate school admissions, more scholarship offers, a stronger VCU brand identity, a lasting legacy for future students, and further empower our alumni network.