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Match MCAT Prep to Your Learning Style

By U.S. News & World Report

With the rise of the Internet, the options for MCAT prep have multiplied. Certain types of prep will suit certain prospective medical school students, but key characteristics like learning style and personality affect who should choose what. Below are three common scenarios by which students begin their prep, with review suggestions tailored to specific learning styles.

— If you are a self-starter: Of the students who take the MCAT, a small percentage are true self-starters, with the necessary motivation to successfully guide their review plans. They will ensure that they study — they simply need a road map and the right tools first.

Like all MCAT test-takers, self-starters will require comprehensive review resources, including numerous practice questions. Linguistic learners can benefit from guidebooks, but for students who prefer to listen to an illustrated lecture — like auditory and visual learners — video tutorials are key. Again, access to MCAT questions, such as the question packs from Association of American Medical Colleges, the organization behind the exam, is an absolute must for all students.

[Get ready for theMCAT’s new natural sciences questions.]

— If you do best with structure: Students who crave structure may be highly accomplished in college, but when faced with MCAT prep, they are uncertain about what to study and where to begin. They may also recognize that without an external guide, they will not complete their review.

For these students, a prep course, either in person or online, or a tutor — also in person or online — is a great idea. Prep courses can be expensive, but they are also highly flexible.

For kinesthetic learners in particular, a chapter in a guidebook or an individual lecture may prove ineffective, but diagramming biochemical principles with a tutor may quickly clarify difficult content. Remember, too, that online options offer ease of access, but the downside is the lack of a personal connection that helps some students remain motivated.

[Practice thesethree strategies when studying for new MCAT.]

— If you have content deficits: Not all students will sail through their MCAT prep. Some individuals may find that their undergraduate coursework was insufficient, or that they have difficulty integrating MCAT concepts for a number of reasons — one being a disconnect between their learning style and their current prep materials.

With the proliferation of video-conferencing software and on-demand lectures, these students may find an online prep course useful, but if they are social learners, the online environment may not be sufficient. They may not be able to ask questions in real time, or to work in groups. In-person tutors can alleviate this problem, so long as students realize that not every tutor can handle every subject area on the MCAT.

[Check outfree online tools and apps to support MCAT prep.]

Students should also be realistic about the time and cost that tutoring entails. Twenty hours of one-on-one tutoring will not replace a four-year curriculum, but this tutoring can help students develop a comprehensive prep plan that suits their unique needs and it can efficiently address their greatest weaknesses.

Just as there are many students who will take the MCAT, there are many different learning styles and personalities that can affect prep. However, with a strong prep program that addresses their knowledge and study habits, students can utilize traditional or more modern methods of review to do their very best on the MCAT.

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Match MCAT Prep to Your Learning Style originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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