Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring Review

November 6, 2023

minute read

The MCAT is challenging. Being one of the most critical aspects of your medical school application, it is incredibly stressful. Many MCAT tutoring services are available to help you prepare for the MCAT to make it less demanding.

One of them is the Varsity Tutors.  It is a test prep company that provides MCAT prep courses and private tutoring sessions to those taking the MCAT. 

This article is a review of the Varsity Tutors MCAT tutoring. 

If you want to know their different packages and their prices, they will all be discussed here. We have also gathered a few feedback and reviews to determine whether Varsity Tutors could be the right choice for you. 

What is Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring?

Varsity Tutors Home Page

The CEO and founder Chuck Cohn's educational experiences are where Varsity Tutors got its start. He had private instruction in high school, which enabled him to turn an F in honors geometry into an A+. 

He founded Varsity Tutors, a business that combines highly-credentialed specialists with a cutting-edge technology platform committed to live & personalized education.

The main goal of Varsity Tutors is to connect tutors with students who need tutors. In contrast to other businesses, Varsity Tutors does not produce its own study guides or offer any services besides tutoring. 

It is an excellent place to start if you are looking specifically for a tutor to help you with the MCAT, even though their operation may appear "bare-bones" compared to others. 

Varsity Tutors is also one of the few services that provide in-person, one-on-one tutoring services (which may be limited because of geographic location). It does not cover review courses, books, or counseling. 

Thus, the price of tutoring packages is purely determined by how many hours you spend working with your tutor. The hourly pricing also decreases the more hours you prepay.

You have two options: either take a quiz, and Varsity Tutors will pair you with a smaller pool of tutors based on your responses, or you can browse a list of MCAT tutors and choose one right away. 

The test asks if you have taken the MCAT before, what made you look into MCAT tutoring, and which parts of the test you consider to be the most difficult.

You get matched with your tutor after choosing the time you wish to begin. After enrolling, you meet with your tutor and develop your study strategy following the initial meeting. 

One of the main advantages is the flexibility of the schedule and frequency of sessions — you can attend as many or as few sessions as you would like each week.

Who Needs Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring?

Hiring a tutor for the MCAT is not cheap. Some people might argue that getting an MCAT tutor is essential for MCAT preparation. However, others will counter that you can prepare for the MCAT and ace it on your own. Whether or not you believe hiring an MCAT teacher will be advantageous is entirely up to you.  

Varsity Tutors can help you with the MCAT. 

The question is, do you need an MCAT tutor? Here are some points to consider.

Do You Know What You Should Study for the MCAT?

If you are unsure how to approach your MCAT studies or what to do, you should probably consider hiring a tutor.

Are You Driven Enough to Prepare for the MCAT On Your Own? 

Otherwise, an MCAT tutor can assist you by creating a study schedule with frequent due dates to keep you on track.

Do You Like to Study Alone or With Others?

A tutor might be a smart idea for you if you know that you cannot study independently. An MCAT specialist can inform you whether what you are saying is accurate or inaccurate, which makes them especially useful.

Do You Learn Better in Large or Small Groups When You Study?

You might want to think about hiring a tutor if you like to study in groups but do not want the trouble of doing so. 

While large study groups can be entertaining, they are frequently less productive. On the other hand, a tutor will devote their entire time to helping you study.

Additional Reading:

Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring: What Does it Include?

Varsity Tutors MCAT tutoring offers packages with add-on products, unlike other MCAT tutoring services, so that you can maximize the effectiveness of your MCAT preparation.

The following additional products and services are provided to you when you use Varsity Tutors MCAT tutoring:

Varsity Tutors Lecture in Preparation for the MCAT

Aside from your private tutoring sessions with your Varsity Tutors MCAT tutor, you get to attend a lecture where an MCAT expert shares tips on what to do on the actual MCAT. 

MCAT tips preparation and everything about the MCAT are also discussed.

Varsity Tutors MCAT Practice Tests

Answering practice tests is one of the most effective preparation techniques. Through these practice tests, you get to identify the topics and concepts you need to improve on. 

They also assess your readiness for the MCAT. Varsity Tutors MCAT practice tests contain detailed explanations of all the answers.

Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring Pricing Options

The price of sessions varies because tutors decide their own fees. For instance, someone who meets with their instructor more frequently will likely pay a different cost than someone who requests a last-minute cram session the day before their exam.

There are just three MCAT preparation choices available through Varsity Tutors.

  • The MCAT 5-Week Prep Class,
  • MCAT 10-Week Prep Class,
  • and private MCAT tutoring.

The tutoring ranges in price from USD 70/hour to almost USD 100/hour, while the two classes cost USD 599 (or USD 40/hour based on their 20 hours of live sessions).

The majority of other MCAT preparation courses cost at least USD 1,500. Even though the AAMC resources for the MCAT prep class from Varsity Tutors cost roughly USD 300, this is still much less expensive than paying more than USD 2,000 for an entire course.

Varsity Tutors MCAT Private Tutoring (1-on-1 Session) 

Price: USD 70 – 100 per hour

This package is tailored depending on students' individual needs. Depending on where you are on your MCAT preparation, the duration of your Varsity Tutors MCAT tutoring could take longer or shorter. The price also depends on the tutor’s rate per hour.

Varsity Tutors MCAT 5-Week and 10-Week Prep Classes

Price: Both at USD 799 

Varsity Tutors Official Website
  • 10 sessions of 2-hour class with an MCAT expert:  Depending on your availability, you get to choose which of the two options suit your preference better. Note that aside from the number of sessions per week, the two packages are the same.

    *The 5-Week program meets twice a week for 5 weeks; the 10-week program meets once a week for 10 weeks. 
  • Lecture on how to prepare for the MCAT:  Before you take the MCAT, you get to listen to a lecture where a speaker discusses and shares insights, ideas, and tips about taking the MCAT. This is an essential benefit to help you prepare for what is to expect on the actual MCAT.
  • Test-taking advice and methods that work for all four sections of the MCAT: Aside from helping you study the different content areas required for the MCAT, your Varsity Tutors mentor also gives you the best advice and strategies on how to tackle the MCAT. Your tutor helps you how to approach the four sections of the MCAT.
  • Detailed explanations for both wrong and right responses in each practice test: When you enroll at Varsity Tutors MCAT Prep Classes, you get to answer practice exams that mimic the actual MCAT. These practice exams include detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of all the answers.
  • Opportunities for dialogue and cooperation among students: These prep classes are great opportunities for you to interact and cooperate with other MCAT test-takers. You get the chance to share ideas and insights while learning theirs simultaneously.

Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring Pros and Cons 

Like other MCAT prep courses and programs, Varsity Tutors have their share of benefits and setbacks. If you are undecided whether Varsity Tutors is the right one for you, the pros and cons we have listed below may enlighten you.

The Pros of Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring: 

  • Varsity Tutors offers flexible private tutoring. You can choose when and how often you meet with your MCAT tutor a week. 
  • There are online and in-person options. If you learn better through face-to-face interaction with your tutor, Varsity Tutors is a good option for you. 
  • They provide assistance in creating a customized study plan. Your MCAT study plan serves as your guide and timetable during your MCAT preparation.
  • The application process is easy and convenient. You just have to go to their website, and within minutes, you can book a tutor of your choice. 
  • You receive individualized instruction based on your needs. Each and every student is unique, and Varsity Tutors make it a point that students are assisted and taught depending on their learning style and MCAT readiness. 

The Cons of Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring:

  • There is no fixed price. The rates of Varsity Tutors MCAT tutors vary, and depending on their availability; you may end up with tutors who ask for high rates.
  • Practice materials and resources need to be purchased separately. Being one of the cheapest in the field of MCAT prep tutoring, you must buy the supplemental materials you need for your MCAT preparation. 
  • Unlike other MCAT prep service providers, Varsity Tutors focus on tutoring, not on MCAT. This is one of the major drawbacks of Varsity Tutors because there is a chance the tutor that will be assigned to you isn’t an MCAT expert. 

Student Reviews and Feedback – Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring

There is no denying that when it comes to MCAT tutoring, Varsity Tutors delivers. Their tutors have helped many students achieve a strong MCAT scores to get into the medical school of their dreams. 

Varsity Tutors has a 4.9 (Excellent) rating on Trustpilot. It just goes to show that over the years, they have been able to meet the expectations of their clients. Hence, more and more students choose to enroll at Varsity Tutors. 

It is worth noting, however, that this rating is for the different tutoring programs they offer. They offer tutoring programs for different undergraduate subjects and exams, graduate school exams, licenses, and certifications.  

Here are a few reviews and feedback from students after receiving private MCAT instruction from Varsity Tutors.

Student Reviews  Varsity Tutors Official Website
Student Reviews  Varsity Tutors Official Website
TrustPilot Reviews Varsity Tutors MCAT Private Tutoring
TrustPilot Reviews Varsity Tutors MCAT Private Tutoring

Varsity Tutors MCAT Supplemental Resources

Although Varsity Tutors offer only MCAT tutoring, they have a variety of supplemental resources to help you review and study for the MCAT. And the good news? They are all free! 

Here are some of them:

Verdict – Is Varisty Tutors MCAT Private Tutoring Worth It?

Preparing for the MCAT is physically, mentally and financially challenging. 

Aside from having the best mindset, prep materials, and strategies, choosing the right MCAT tutor (should you need one) can make or break your MCAT performance. Therefore, you must pick the MCAT tutor you think will help you succeed on the MCAT. 

Varsity Tutors is a great choice if you want extra flexibility in creating and designing your study plan or if you are only interested in tutoring (not a review course or review materials). Varsity Tutors MCAT private tutoring could be the MCAT tutor for you at such a low price.

Before you make that call however, be sure to check out MCAT Mastery Tutoring - a more affordable option for MCAT tutoring. 

Providing expertise and assistance to pre-med students on a low budget, MCAT Mastery has helped many students study and prepare for the MCAT since we started in 2016. 

We recommend you check out our tutoring page to see if this is something that makes sense for you. You can also see our TrustPilot reviews here.

Generally we always tell our students: you shouldn’t pay a lot for content review because that can be free from places like Khan Academy. The only thing that deserves an investment is learning the strategy of HOW to study for an exam like the MCAT. 

For example, practice is a great investment that helps with the ‘how to study’ or getting a strategy-focused MCAT tutor is another example of  a high yield approach to maximizing your MCAT score (as opposed to paying for content review).
MCATMastery Tutoring

Additional FAQs – Varsity Tutors MCAT Tutoring Review

Is Varsity Tutors Expensive?

No, Varsity Tutors is one of the cheapest options for MCAT tutoring. Their MCAT tutor rate ranges from USD 70 – 100 per hour. 

Compared to those offered by Kaplan, Princeton Review, and Blueprint, Varsity Tutors offers a more affordable package.

How Long is the Varsity Tutors MCAT Prep Course?

Varsity Tutors have two MCAT prep courses. They have the 5-Week and the 10-Week MCAT Prep Classes. 

Both cost USD 799, and the only difference is that there you have to attend twice a week in the 5-week program, whereas you attend once a week in the 10-week program.

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About the Author

We're a team of future doctors passionate about giving back and mentoring other future doctors! All mentors on the team are top MCAT scorers and we all are committed to seeing you succeed in achieving your physician dreams ????To help you increase your MCAT score to the competitive mark quickly, we have collaboratively created these self-paced MCAT strategy courses and are also available for one-on-one tutoring!

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