Julia Skiba, with three Kaplan Test Prep texts she is using to prepare for the MCAT exam. She plans to attend medical school and become a dermatologist.
For the first time, SUNY Fredonia is offering a number of free Kaplan Test Prep courses.
It is a valuable opportunity for current students and alumni, as scores in the MCAT and other exams are a major component in the admissions process at health and other professional schools. The overall objective of Kaplan Test Prep kits is to improve test scores. Kaplan instruction can also relieve stress some students can experience while studying for the exams.
The MCAT and other prep kits will benefit our students and alumni by improving their test scores.”- Dr. Ted Lee
“Kaplan courses are specifically designed to help students prepare for the required professional exams for medical, dental, optometry and other graduate and professional programs,” said SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Ted Lee. “They provide structure, content and valuable test-taking strategy.”
The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), DAT (Dental Admission Test), OAT (Optometry Admission Test) and LSAT (Law School Admission Test) are among Kaplan kits available through SUNY Fredonia, but additional prep courses, such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations), may be added in the future.
Dr. Lee, longtime chair of the Health Professions Advising Committee, worked closely with Kaplan to make the test prep kits available and with the Fredonia College Foundation to obtain funding through the Gertrude Maytum Garland Endowment Fund held by the foundation to purchase the kits.
Assistant Vice President for Retention and Special Initiatives Erin Mroczka contributed valuable research that included learning how other campuses support Kaplan instruction, exploring potential funding sources and navigating the contract process.
“I'm thrilled Fredonia is able to afford a small population of current students and alumni the advantage of professional preparation necessary to meet their professional career goals, without additional financial hardship,” Ms. Mroczka commented.
Price tags have loomed as a major obstacle preventing students from enrolling in Kaplan programs. The list price of its MCAT prep course, for example, is $1,599 for the on-demand mode and $2,699 for live online instruction, though discounts are often offered. Prices are lower for DAT and OAT prep kits.
“Kaplan has a strong record of working with colleges and universities to provide their courses to students, and Fredonia started working with Kaplan almost 10 years ago,” according to Lee. “I’ve had conversations with Kaplan to help set up this program for almost two years and am very pleased that we can do this for our students and alumni.”
Julia Skiba, a senior Molecular Genetics major awarded a free MCAT test prep course from the Health Professions Advising Committee a year ago, strongly endorses Kaplan instruction.
“The program breaks down all of the high-yield MCAT topics into a very digestible manner,” Ms. Skiba, of Troy, NY, explained. Even during her first month of the course, Skiba reports she improved significantly on her practice passage and tests. “The teachers are extremely helpful and make studying so much more engaging,” she added.
Skiba, who is enrolled in the Honors Program and is president of the campus chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the national biological honors society, indicated she is well supported through this course and is confident of achieving her desired MCAT score. “It has had a tremendous impact on studying thus far,” she said.
A 2025 graduate, Melissa Smith, has been designated a recipient of a Kaplan award in this funding cycle to prepare for the MCAT. She is a first-generation college student who gained clarity and focus in her studies by overcoming early academic challenges at SUNY Fredonia. Since earning her degree in Biology, Ms. Smith has gained hands-on experience as a medical assistant/medical scribe, shadowed physicians and participated in study abroad opportunities. Her goal is to enroll in medical school.
Smith, who also joined Lee in a medical brigade experience in Honduras last summer, believes the Kaplan course will provide meaningful support for her MCAT preparation. She said accessing this resource will help her feel more confident, supported and hopeful as she continues to pursue a career in healthcare.
There is no charge for SUNY Fredonia students and alumni to seek Kaplan funding. The Health Professions Advising Committee will review applications and assign priority to juniors, seniors and alumni who are taking their admissions exams this year.
Kaplan requests that course requests be submitted two weeks in advance so that Kaplan can enroll the applicant and ship the books and other materials.
Students can register to apply for a Kaplan Test Prep course.
In past years, SUNY Fredonia students received discounts for prep courses but were responsible for the remaining cost, Lee explained, though a scholarship fund has assisted some students. “With this [Kaplan] agreement, there is no cost to the students,” Lee said.
“The MCAT and other prep kits will benefit our students and alumni by improving their test scores,” Lee said.
Lee’s goal is to collaborate with the foundation to make this funding assistance available every year.
