Cutts MCAT Review |
Personal, Full Service Guidance with Medical School Applications
With Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT Prep Book (2011)
[This page is for students in New Mexico. For Cutts MCAT Prep throughout the US and the world, Click Here]
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How the Cutts MCAT Review Prepares You - A Letter from Jay Cutts
Dear Prospective Physician,
Thank you for your interest in the CUTTS MCAT REVIEW. I realize how important preparing well for the MCAT is for you. I have, over the years, created a prep program that overcomes the drawbacks of the courses offered by the large national companies.
I offer you a more personalized science review, longer programs at a more reasonable price, special strategies for your style of learning, insights into the hidden patterns of the test, advanced strategies for Verbal Reasoning and the essay, and, most important of all, intensive tutorial on the timing strategies that can help most students jump 1, 2 or even more steps on the 15 point scale.
All of these are elements that my students who previously took different programs have told me were missing in those courses.
THE CUTTS MCAT REVIEW: FACULTY & CONSULTANTS
Jay B. Cutts, MA, director of the Cutts Graduate Reviews, earned a BA with Honors in Linguistics from the University of Michigan and an MA in Special Education from UNM, both with Distinction. An expert in graduate entrance exam preparation, he has taught for over 20 years in the field of language, math and cognitive skills. He specializes in adapting instruction to students’ individual needs and styles. Jay Cutts works with select students nationally and internationally on graduate test preparation.
Mr. Cutts teaches the Verbal Reasoning and Writing Sample class and works with all students on test taking strategies, preparation techniques and any individual concerns. He has an intimate understanding of the dynamics of graduate entrance tests and shares this freely with his students.
Matt Drago brings an expert touch to our Physics classes. Matt holds a PhD in Physics and specializes in optical engineering. Mr. Drago is a skilled and experienced teacher. He developed and taught prep courses for the Comprehensive Exams for physics graduate students and served as Instructor for introductory physics classes and labs at UNM and TVI for several years. He received the Physics Departmental Chair Award for Best Teaching Assistant. A little known secret about Matt is that he has an MA in English and is a creative writer and poet.
Kathryn Ryan brings to the classroom both a thorough knowledge of all the science areas of the MCAT and a talent for classroom instruction and personal guidance. Kathryn teaches the Biology and Organic Chemistry classes. Ms. Ryan graduated with Honors from a premed curriculum at the University of Wyoming with a degree in Zoology and Physiology. A consistent Dean’s List student, she founded the Order of Omega Honorary chapter and was a member of AED Preprofessional Honorary. Kathryn Ryan has 8 years of teaching, training and evaluation experience, both in academia and in industry. In addition to her mastery of science topics, Kathryn specializes in the testing strategies for the MCAT.
Shield Wallace holds a PhD in biorganic chemistry. He currently teaches general and organic chemistry at CNM. Before that he held research and development positions with a major pharmaceutical company, with Sandia Labs, and with the Air Force. He is the organic chemistry author for the Barron's MCAT Prep Book and the general chemistry and organic chemistry author for the Barron's MCAT Flash cards.
THE BASIC COURSE
We guarantee you a total support program offering comprehensive prep materials using actual MCAT questions, diagnostic testing, hands-on classroom learning, expert faculty, unlimited personal support outside of class, study groups and special programs.
Classes meet once a week for 10 weeks in the spring and 10 weeks in the summer. Each 10 week series includes 20-25 hours of science review classes, 20 hours of hands-on MCAT science problem solving, and 5 hours of classroom work on strategy and the Verbal Reasoning (Critical Reasoning) section.
Science classes prepare you in physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and biology. Classes are dynamic, interactive and challenging. We analyze your particular skills and teach the information that you need most. Your teacher encourages questions and demonstrates how to solve MCAT problems. You learn and practice vital MCAT strategies. You have class time to work individually with your teacher.
The Verbal (Critical) Reasoning class teaches you how to master that section. Ordinary reading is not effective on the MCAT. You learn how to read for the MCAT and how to control your time. The class emphasizes hands on activities and personal attention.
Timing Strategy. Our students typically make a 2 or 3 point increase on the 15 point scale just from learning how to use their time most effectively on the test. This is one of the most important skills you will learn. Since even one more question right can make the difference between scores of 9 and 10, mastering your control of time will be one of your most powerful tools. Other companies only touch on this. We specialize in it.
The MCAT mock test is a complete run-through the Saturday before your MCAT. Using actual MCAT materials, you will test your knowledge, strategies and stamina under real test conditions. You r instructors analyze the results and help you devise a final plan of attack.
UNLIMITED PROGRAM
Our unlimited program offers an opportunity for more in-depth preparation. We customize the program to meet your needs.
.WHAT YOU GET IN THE CUTTS MCAT REVIEW
Our Program Takes a Very Different Approach from Other Courses :
Dedicated instructors: –Our instructors participate as partners in the design of programs. They work hard to create the kind of prep that they feel will help you the most.
Expertise: Cutts Graduate Reviews is New Mexico’s only specialist in graduate exams. Jay Cutts is a nationally recognized test preparation specialist working with select students around the country and the world.
Comprehensive Training: Other courses only touch on areas such as time control and test strategies areas that can account for almost half of a student’s errors. We teach you these strategies through detailed instruction, regular feedback and individual coaching.
Dedicated Personal Attention: No two students learn the same way. We work with you individually to make sure you can learn in the way that works best for you. You have virtually unlimited access to the instructors outside of class.
Cost/Value: We offer a number of program options to match your prep needs and budget. Our Basic Program allows you to get unlimited help for 6 weeks at the most affordable price. Our SuperReview offers unlimited months of intensive review. Personalized programs, expert instructors and a more comprehensive curriculum combine to give you more hours, more attention and more point increase for your money.
For a complete analysis of the differences between the Cutts Program and other typical courses, Click Here
I LOOK FORWARD to answering your questions about the Cutts MCAT Review or about your application to medical school. Please feel free to cal me directly at (505) 281-0684, 7 days a week, 10am to 10pm.
Sincerely,
Jay B. Cutts
Cutts Graduate Reviews
PS. Are your parents or relatives helping pay for your prep? Please copy the letter below and send it to them. You can also copy the detailed comparison with other programs for them Here
Cutts Graduate Reviews
Dear Parent or Relative of a Premed Student,
As you decide the best way to support your family member in their preparation for medical school, please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.
I’d like to speak directly about MCAT preparation. You may not be familiar with my MCAT prep work. Undoubtedly you have heard of certain of the large prep companies. You may have the impression that these companies - being large, well known and expensive - must offer the best prep.
Certainly the big companies have good intentions. However, by their very structure they have several very serious limitations. The most serious is that the instructors for these companies are hired people who, on the average, stay for one or two seasons. They are usually very bright and have often scored extremely well on the test. But they have very little experience teaching the MCAT and even less experience with issues such as timing strategy, test anxiety, individual and cultural learning styles and other strategies beyond the MCAT for getting accepted.
Some well known programs in particular provides almost no personal attention outside of class, and very little in class. In my experience, personal attention is essential for each student to get what they need.
I have spoken with students who did well after taking a course from one of the big commercial companies. However, I have spoken with many more who did not get the help they needed. The biggest complaint is that when the student asks an instructor to explain exactly why one answer is better than another, the instructor says "This answer is just better" or "you just have to get the feel of it". This is not true. There is a reason why one answer is right and the other is dead wrong. But it can take years of teaching experience for a test specialist to understand this.
I have been teaching the MCAT since 1992. It is my full time work, along with the other related graduate exams. I work with students not only in New Mexico but across the country and internationally. I personally work closely with each of my students as much as they need.
I encourage you to look into all the prep options. Ask to speak with the person who will teach the course. Find out their experience. How much personal attention will they provide? Please feel free to call me also. I’ll be happy to go over the specifics of what the Cutts programs covers that the larger companies do not.
For a detailed comparison of the Cutts MCAT program to other courses, please visit
http://www.cuttsreviews.com/jcutts/newmexico/index.htm#compare
Sincerely,
Jay B. Cutts, Director
(505) 281-0684, day or evening
[End of Letter to Parents]
What Students Say about the Cutts Graduate Reviews
"Until this course (and I have taken Princeton Review) no one had ever told me how to approach the passages, and I am doing much better." - MCAT student
"This course has helped me more in remembering, as well as motivation, just in [the first] 4 weeks, more than the [other] course did in 2 months. Thank you for the opportunity." - MCAT student
"Material was covered in depth ... Taught good methods for taking [Verbal Reasoning and the Writing Sample]. [The instructors were] outgoing and friendly, knowledgeable, flexible to differing needs ... helpful ... and interested in students' input." - MCAT student
"[The science instructors] knew all subject material ... Timing strategy and essay format were very helpful." - MCAT student
* * *
"Very helpful. I received a clear insight as to the actual test questions and how to ... improve my score." - GRE student
"I found that the skills learned ... have really implanted themselves somewhere in my brain so that I can call upon them when they are needed." - GRE student
"Well done ... I wouldn't have properly prepared otherwise ... Timing strategies ... were awesome." - GRE student
"[The instructor was] motivated and motivating. Always helpful. [His] commitment to the class deserves much more than what we paid for the course." - GRE student
"Jay knew all the subjects ... and he knew them well. He knows what it takes to get a good score." - GRE student
"Your last minute suggestions helped me considerably." - GRE student
* * *
"I liked the way we went into detail on the different mechanics necessary to come up with a winning score. [Mr. Cutts was] very understanding, willing to hear your questions." - GMAT student
"Overall you do instill confidence by knowing the subjects." - GMAT student
"Thank you so much for making yourself available... Your knowledge about the GMAT is amazing!!." - GMAT student
"Jay works well one on one with people... He does have a genuine concern for how we do on the test." - GMAT student
Please contact us for current prices and a registration form.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PREP OPTION - Comparing the Cutts MCAT Review with Other Courses.
How does the Cutts MCAT Review Work?
You can work with us for an unlimited number of months. You attend classes that review the MCAT science and then apply what you have learned to actual MCAT qustions. All programs include unlimited one-on-one help with Jay Cutts on special MCAT strategies.
HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PREP PROGRAMS?
I am one of the few, and perhaps the only, full time, highly experienced (over 14 years full time) test prep specialists available nationally for you to work with directly. Many students come to me after taking a Princeton course or a course with one of the other large companies. Once they've worked with me, they report that for the first time they are able to understand what the test is really looking for. The strategies I teach go to the heart of the test - exactly why the right answer is right and exactly why the wrong answers are wrong.
As a linguist and educator, I specialize in helping with individual learning styles, including test anxiety, learning disabilities, poor standardized test taking and special timing strategies for the computer exam.
A prep class is only as effective as its instructor. Instructors for most commercial programs have usually done extremely well on the test. Most are bright and often good in the classroom. However, the average instructor has probably taught the test only 3 or 4 times and may have only 5 or 10 hours of experience in working individually with students. Very few instructors have taught more than 8 or 10 times or have more than 30 or 40 hours individual tutoring experience.
Having done well on the test does not in itself qualify a person to teach. It taked 13 year of teaching and research to thoroughly understand the hidden patterns of the exam, not to mention how to tailor special strategies to the needs of each individual.
I estimate that I have worked with over 1200 students and have 3000 hours of working one on one with a wide variety of students.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN ABOUT THE OTHER COURSES SPECIFICALLY?
SCIENCE REVIEW: Some programs do a decent job of reviewing certain science subjects. They have a set curriculum. Many students who took such programs before coming to me have told me that they needed review on areas that were not covered in that course's curriculum.
There was no way for them to get this in that program. They were directed to the tape library but this was the same material that was lectured on in class. The teachers are typically not available outside of class for extra help. In addition, they are pressed to finish their curriculum in the class time and can't take time in class to go over other areas.
If all you need is the science review covered in a particular company's curriculum, you may do ok. But if you need other material or personal help, you may not get it there.
PERSONAL ATTENTION: Personal help is important in a review program in many ways but many companies do not offer this, other than through buying a very expensive additional package. You may need additional tutoring in the science. You may need help with your study plan. You may need someone to interpret your diagnostic test scores. You may need help reviewing your timing and testing strategies. Without personal help, most students cannot get their money's worth out of a program.
ADVANCED STRATEGIES: Most commercial companies do not offer these. Their curriculum covers the review of certain science areas and then it stops there. The instructors typically don't have the experience or time to help with timing strategy, testing strategies, problem solving strategies, strategies for organizing and integrating complex science information, specialized strategies for the Verbal Reasoning and the Essay.
FLEXIBLE PREP PROGRAMS: Many companies offer one set program. Under certain circumstances you can take their program again without paying. However, you simply get a repeat of your first course. You cannot get a program tailored to your particular needs or a program that let's you prepare over 6 to 10 months.
GETTING INTO MED SCHOOL: Typically many commercial prep programs do not offer any help on areas such as the Personal Statement, Interview, Letters of Rec.
COST: Prep programs offered by the largest national companies are often the most expensive.
HOW DOES THE CUTTS MCAT REVIEW HANDLE THESE AREAS?
SCIENCE REVIEW: The Cutts Review gives you 5 free hours of one-on-one time with the instructor of each subject per calendar year. We also tailor the in class science instruction to the needs of the students in your specific class, so that your class time meets your needs. Finally, we've developed several different approaches to science review, again to meet different needs. Part of our program focuses on learning the bare essentials of 100's of topics that may appear on the test but which you only need to know superficially. Another part of the program reviews those topics which you need to know in more depth. We guide your study progress so that you don't bog down in areas you don't need to know so thoroughly, keeping you moving quickly enough so that you can review everything you need to and yet making sure you get the detailed understanding where it is needed.
PERSONAL ATTENTION: Our program is founded on personal attention. You have virtually unlimited access to the science instructors and to myself. We're available and experienced in helping with anything that can affect your chances of getting accepted to med school.
ADVANCED STRATEGIES: This is our forte. I have personally been studying timing strategy, testing strategy, problem solving strategies, organizing and integrating strategies, for over 24 years. All of these strategies require personal attention and guidance for each student. How important are they? I would estimate that 90% of a students progress comes from these strategies and only 10%, on average, from reviewing science.
FLEXIBLE PROGRAMS: We encourage students to work with us for 6 to 10 months. Your course fee allows you to work with us as long as you need to. Since the classes are customized and you have lots of individual time with the instructors, you get exposed to more instruction the longer you work with us.
GETTING INTO MED SCHOOL: I have over 24 years experience helping students with Personal Statements, the Interview, Letters of Recommendation, advanced strategies for getting accepted, as well as career decision issues. Much of this info is available to you free of charge and I do work with my students in more depth when needed.
COST: The full, unlimited Cutts program costs nearly half of what other companies charge. About 90% of what you pay in a Cutts program goes directly to paying for high quality instructors.
OK, BUT I HAVE FRIENDS WHO TOOK A COURSE WITH A BIG NATIONAL COMPANY AND SAID THEY LIKED IT. WHO DO I BELIEVE?
Lots of people come out of big company's course and get the score they needed. Lots of people feel that they got worthwhile info in such programs. (Don't forget that I also hear from lots of students who did NOT get what they needed .)
The question you personally have to answer is "Where can I get the maximum amount of help and improvement?" Most likely you can't afford to do both programs nor will you have the time to do so. Compare what each program has to offer, consider the limitations on a large company , which cannot personalize its approach and which has to hire inexperienced instructors. Talk to the instructors who will actually be teaching you before you make a decision.
Going by what your friends experienced can be dangerous or tricky. Their situations may be very different from yours. They may have been able to get a good score even without the class. Even more tricky is taking a course because you have friends who will take it with you. Find the best class for yourself and then bring your friends along!
If you have questions about your prep options, please call Jay Cutts at (505) 281-0684.