About the Program

The Longhorn Center for Academic Equity (LCAE) at The University of Texas at Austin recently launched the Strive Grad Prep Academy (GPA), a new graduate school prep academy designed to widen the pathways to graduate and professional school for students historically excluded from postgraduate education. Strive GPA offers eligible undergraduates a wealth of resources and services, including no-cost test prep courses provided in partnership with Kaplan, Inc.

Strive GPA provides Pell-eligible and first-generation students with free live, online prep courses taught by Kaplan instructors as well as seminars, workshops and advising with LCAE staff and graduate students. Offerings also include free digital textbooks and test fee scholarships.

Resources and Services

• Live, virtual MCAT, LSAT, GRE test-prep classes taught by Kaplan instructors
• In-person tutoring
• In-person monthly “Grad School Literacy” seminars and workshops
• Free access to digital books
• One-on-one tutoring and advising with LCAE staff and graduate students
• Mock interviews
• Test fee waivers

In-person services will be held at the LCAE headquarters, located in the Student Services Building, room 3.200. Students are welcome to use computers at this location for virtual classes.

Eligibility

To participate in the Strive Graduate Prep Academy, students must be currently enrolled in a degree program at The University of Texas at Austin and have not enrolled in any postbaccalaureate programs at an institution of higher education.

In addition, students must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Federal Pell Grant recipient;
• First-generation college student;
• Member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education (i.e., Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Native American, Pacific Islanders).

Apply Now

Applications are open for the 2022-23 academic year. To apply, complete the form linked below. Strive GPA staff will reply as soon as possible, but please be aware that responses may take a couple of weeks.

Applicants can indicate on their applications if they require accommodations to participate in live, online courses and specify the accommodations requested. Strive Graduate Prep Academy staff will assist applicants selected to participate with communicating accommodation requests to Kaplan. Course participants can extend practice test times on their own using these instructions.

Apply online

PLEASE NOTE: We are currently not accepting further applications for Kaplan prep courses. We have reached capacity for the number of available spots for this academic year. At this time we have an extensive waitlist. The application will open again in Summer 2023.

Even though Strive’s no-cost Kaplan courses are currently unavailable, Strive GPA continues to offer workshops for undergraduates preparing for postgraduate studies. These opportunities are open to all students, and do not require applying. Please check back frequently for updates and information about these events. Similarly, we are more than happy to schedule individual appointents to discuss your postgraduate goals and help you make concrete plans. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for support.

More About Kaplan

Kaplan is a global educational services company that provides individuals, universities and businesses with a diverse array of services including higher and professional education, test preparation, language training, corporate and leadership training, and student recruitment, online enablement and other university support services. With operations in nearly 30 countries, Kaplan serves nearly 1.1 million students each year and has partnerships with 2,000-plus universities, colleges, and schools/school districts and more than 4,000 businesses globally.

For more information, contact the LCAE: (512) 471-1205, lcae@austin.utexas.edu.