MCAT  

STRATEGY

The MCAT is a critical thinking test, not just a content test.  So, we treat it that way.  The first half of our course reteaches the content needed for the exam; the second half focuses on attacking the MCAT analytically.  Even during the content phase, however, we stress how the MCAT views and tests concepts, not just the facts.  We show you how to understand the concepts rather than memorizing a bunch of jumbled facts.  

TEACHING

Without question, the reason for our success has been our head instructor's (John's) incredible teaching (and that of his instructors).  There is a lot more to teaching than expertise in the subject matter.  The teacher has to understand how you learn and has be able to make sense to YOU. No one we have ever encountered has been able to do this as well as John.  He knows how to make things relatable and how to do it in an entertaining way.

That's why each cycle is unique.  As John says, "It has to be different each time because the people are different each time.  Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing my job."  Couple this with a true understanding of how the MCAT works, and you have an unbeatable combination.  

Our core curriculum follows from John's method.  All of our instructors fully understand his approach and his focus on "thinking over content."  Each instructor has demonstrated master of the content, the test, and the method.  Please see our TESTIMONIALS & STAFF section.

We are so confident of this that we welcome you to come and sit in on a class session for free!

ENVIRONMENT

Another quality that makes our class unique is the environment.  As hard as it may seem to believe, our students have fun.  As Angela Kim puts it,
"That's one thing that make SWARTWOOD special.  We hangout and make friends.  In what other prep course do you make good friends that feel like family...
I think it's just that John makes people feel at ease."  Yalda Safai added, "I've made some of my best friends here."  Take a look at our Gamma Rays (Aneela, Shaila, Leila, and Zubana).  Students feel free to interact, ask questions, and study together.  Of course, there is a lot more to preparing for the MCAT than having a supportive environment, but if you have to study 10 weeks+, why do it alone?  Sounds too good to be true?  Come by and see for yourself.  

CLASS SPECIFICS

1)  Each cycle takes a minimum of 10 weeks to complete although from time to time we have intensive cycles.   

2)  Each Master or SWARTWOOD Only cycle has a minimum of 105 hrs of live teaching time (often more) and 30 office hours.  Each Complete Course includes 90+ hours of class time + 30 office hours.  This indicates REAL class time spent teaching, not time spent on diagnostics.

3)  All materials are provided for you.

4)  All released computerized AAMC (the people that make the MCAT) tests are provided.

5)  Although everyone is different, you can expect to spend about 1.5 hours outside of class for every hour in class (just like university classes).  But, if you         would like a more personalized answer, just ask John yourself.

TYPES OF CLASSES

We have 3 full courses.

1) The Complete Course: This course does everything.

2) The Master Course:  This course is the Complete Course + Verbal Intensive.

3) The SWARTWOOD Only:  By far, our most popular course (e.g., this past June/July, out of about ~150 students, ~140 of them were SWARTWOOD Only),
    the SWARTWOOD Only is the Master Course except that John teaches EVERYTHING!

CONTINUATION POLICY

Once you join the class, you may take it as long as you want as often as you want at NO additional charge.