Kaplan Creates LSAT Library on Campus

This academic year notes the addition of a Kaplan Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Library to the Yeshiva University Pollack Library. The addition of the library has made studying for the LSATs with Kaplan much easier on YU students enrolled in the program. With the resources available directly on campus, many of the students who took the Kaplan course in the past note the great convenience the Kaplan library offers as opposed to the hassles that they had to deal with in earlier years.

Due to the fact that there are only two other Kaplan LSAT library locations in the city, it was not unusual for YU students enrolled in the course to travel upwards of an hour to obtain the materials needed for the course. Senior Elan Weinreb took the Kaplan course in the fall of 1998, and will be attending law school next year. He said, "There were three trains to take down to the center, a trip sometimes taking an hour and a half one way." He remarked that things would have been so much easier if he had access to the library on campus. "I am very happy for the current students, and a little bit jealous." he added.

Per student request, and with the help of Rabbi Michael Hecht, Associate Dean and Yeshiva College pre-law advisor, Kaplan has conceded to create a Kaplan LSAT Library directly on the YU campus on the second floor of the Pollack Library. Since the majority of the work for the course is done independently, the addition of the library is a great asset to the students in the course. There are currently forty YU students enrolled in the Kaplan course, divided into two classes. They attend classes from 2-5pm every Sunday in Furst Hall. Susan Schroeder, currently an NYU Law student, teaches one of the Kaplan classes at YU. She had her LSAT score raised by six points with the help of her Kaplan course and spoke of the virtues of the Kaplan way. She said, "Half the value of the course is outside the class, and with the limited resources we can provide, you have to try and get in the head of the test-maker. That is what Kaplan enables its students to do."

With the resources so easily accessible, YU students in the course are more able to avail themselves of the necessary materials and they find it easier to devote the necessary time to the important independent study. David Hain, a junior currently enrolled in the Kaplan course commented, "Though I am a bit nervous as the test day (June 14th) approaches, Kaplan is certainly helping to build my confidence. I am especially happy we were able to get the library up here on campus." John Moryl, head librarian, assured The Commentator that there would be no strain on the library staff. He added that all of the information is contained in one file cabinet. The resources are available on reserve only and are not allowed out of the library.

The Kaplan library holds twenty-seven practice LSATs with full explanations of all questions. Also on reserve are video workshops with Kaplan instructors teaching the course's test-taking strategies. Students who miss classroom sessions are able to make-up the lost class sessions by watching the classes available on tape. In addition to the materials available in the library, Kaplan also offers some of its resources on the internet. Kaplan members can access these materials through America Online at AOL Keyword: "Kaplan" from either their own computers or those located in the library.

Hecht spoke about the presence of the Kaplan resources in our Pollack library. He said, "This is one of only a few locations that have such resources. I am happy for our students that they get this improved access to resources." Hecht wanted to be sure to commend Pearl Berger, Dean of Libraries, for her "enthusiastic support and help, and her immediate reaction that this perfectly fits the role of the library." He recalled Berger's comment on her view of the librairies' role at YU. She stated simply, "If it will help the students, that's what we are here for." Hecht noted that for years Kaplan did not want to provide resources for the YU members of the course even though YU consistently supplied students. "This is further testament to the fact that we [at YU] have really arrived on the scene," Hecht said, "and I am really proud of YU, the students, and the reputation we are gaining."