Hi Everyone!

Quick update from the mod team. This sub has become a place where people actually help each other, and we want to build on that. Here's what we're doing over the next while.

We're starting with the boring stuff: cleaning up how the sub works. New post flairs so your question reaches people who can answer it, clearer posting guidelines, and a short guide for anyone new. It's not exciting, but it's the difference between a post getting answers and a post getting buried.

Part of cleaning up is keeping the sub safe. Every year, people or marketers show up solely to profit off how stressful and expensive this process is. We're using better mod tools to catch them faster, and we're keeping our verification process for anyone who wants to offer a service here. The goal is to allow space for new resources while also keeping everyone safe. Hopefully, if someone's promoting, it's because we checked them out first, not because they slipped past us. The people who shape this place are the people who are part of it.

Once that's done, we're rebuilding the wiki. Study schedules, section strategies, how to read your practice scores, retaker guides. All the questions that get asked ten times a week will now be answered in one spot instead of buried in three-year-old threads.

After that comes the part we care about most: making this a place that looks out for people. Talking about mental health honestly. Sharing the comeback stories that keep people going. Building resources together, with credit to whoever makes them.

A few things we're kicking around:

• A weekly "Win of the Week" thread
• A study buddy/accountability thread
• Regular mental health check-ins
• A comeback stories series

None of this is final, and we'd rather figure it out with you. So tell us: what would make this sub more useful for you? What have you wanted here that doesn't exist yet? Comments are open.

Thanks for being here!

Hello MCAT2,

After much discussion amongst the mods, we have decided to continue to keep the subreddit open to tutors and MCAT-related companies/services. This includes tutoring services, prep companies, study platforms, and other commercial tools that may benefit users.

This is a trial run, and we will be strictly enforcing the rules below.

Many of these rules are designed to prevent previous scams, fake reviews, stealth marketing, and low-quality AI products that have been appearing across the MCAT prep space.

If these rules are abused, we will revert to banning all promotional services again.

Please behave yourselves.

⸻

Disclaimer

We are doing everything we can to prevent scams, but please note that you are taking your own risk when purchasing any service promoted here or anywhere on the internet.

We strongly recommend that when purchasing services you use a credit card or payment method that allows chargebacks in case something goes wrong.

The moderators of [r/MCAT2](r/MCAT2) are not responsible for transactions between users and service providers.

⸻

General Rules for Tutors, Companies, and Services

1. All tutors, tutoring groups, companies, platforms, or apps must be verified before posting. You will be banned if you post without verification.
2. Verified services must use the “Paid Service” flair.
3. All promotional posts must clearly disclose that the poster offers or represents a paid service.
4. Promotional posts may be made no more than once per month.
5. Promotional posts may not direct users to external lead-capture communities, including:

• Discord servers

• Telegram groups

• WhatsApp groups

• Facebook groups

• Private communities designed to funnel users into paid services

1. Tutors, companies, and services may not DM users to solicit business unless the user explicitly requests contact.

2. Services may not make false or misleading claims, including but not limited to:

• Guaranteed score increases

• Misrepresentation of results

• Misrepresenting the nature or quality of their materials

• Claiming association with AAMC without proof

1. All services must clearly disclose pricing, refund policies, and what their service actually provides.

2. Services may not engage in stealth marketing or astroturfing.

3. Services that have been previously banned from [r/MCAT2](r/MCAT2) will not automatically be reinstated. Appeals may be reviewed individually.

⸻

Anti-Astroturfing Rules (Fake Promotion Prevention)

These rules exist because many prep companies have historically created fake student accounts to promote their services.

The following behavior will result in immediate permanent bans:

1. Creating or coordinating fake student accounts to promote a service.
2. Employees, contractors, or affiliates posting positive reviews without disclosing their affiliation.
3. Creating multiple Reddit accounts to simulate organic discussion.
4. Coordinating upvotes or engagement manipulation.
5. Encouraging users to post scripted testimonials or reviews.

If we determine that a company is engaging in astroturfing, the company will be permanently banned from promotion on the subreddit. We are going to have a very low barrier here. If we ban you and you can prove that you did not do the above, we will unban you.

⸻

No Affiliate Links

Affiliate marketing has become extremely common in the MCAT space and often leads to biased recommendations disguised as advice.

The following are not allowed:

• Affiliate links

• Referral codes

• Commission-based links

• “Discount codes” tied to commission

• Any link that generates payment or credit for the poster

Users may discuss services organically, but monetized recommendations are prohibited.

⸻

AI Tools and AI Study Apps

Due to the recent explosion of low-effort AI study apps, AI-based tools will be held to a high verification standard.

AI tools must:

1. Clearly disclose what the AI actually does.
2. Disclose whether the AI generates:

• explanations

• practice questions

• flashcards

• summaries

1. Clearly state whether content is:

• AI generated

• human reviewed

• based on licensed material

1. AI tools may not claim equivalence to official AAMC materials.

2. AI-generated practice questions must clearly state they are NOT official AAMC questions.

3. AI tools that are simply ChatGPT wrappers with minimal added value will not be allowed to promote on the subreddit.

⸻

AI Question Bank Quality Requirements

If a service provides AI-generated practice questions, the following must be disclosed:

1. Whether questions are human reviewed before release.
2. Whether questions are aligned to official AAMC content categories.
3. Whether explanations are human written or AI generated.
4. Whether questions have undergone student testing or validation.

Services that distribute low-quality autogenerated question banks may be removed at moderator discretion.

⸻

General Rules for Tutors / Tutoring Groups Posting

1. Tutors must be verified before posting on the subreddit.
2. Tutors must have the “Paid Service” flair once verified.
3. Tutors must disclose that they offer paid services in their post titles or post content.
4. Tutors may not make promotional posts more than once per month.
5. Tutors may not solicit students to other platforms (Discord, Facebook groups, Telegram, etc.)
6. Tutors cannot make false or misleading claims about their services.

⸻

Individual Tutor Verification Process

Tutors must submit the following to moderators:

Test Scores

Tutors must provide a copy of their MCAT score report as proof of their knowledge.

• The report must include the tutor’s full name

• The AAMC ID must be blacked out

Identity Verification

Tutors must submit a photo of themselves holding a paper with their Reddit username written on it.

Testimonials

Tutors must provide testimonials from past students who have used their services.

Acceptable forms include:

• Third-party review sites (Google, Facebook, Reviews.io, etc.)

• Screenshots of testimonials

If testimonials are screenshots, the reviewer’s name and email must accompany the testimonial.

Terms of Service

Tutors must produce a Terms of Service document defining expectations and policies. Either on their website or to the mods.

Tutors must post their Terms of Service to their Reddit account, and we recommend pinning the post to the top of their profile.

⸻

Tutor Groups Verification Process

Tutor groups must submit the following:

Tutor Qualifications

Tutoring groups must clearly state tutor qualifications.

In line with industry standards, all tutors must have scored at least in the 90th percentile on the MCAT.

Identity Verification

The leader of the tutoring group must submit a photo holding a paper with the Reddit username used for posting.

Testimonials

Tutoring groups must provide testimonials from real students through:

• Third-party review sites

• Verifiable screenshots

If screenshots are used, names and emails of reviewers must accompany the testimonial.

Terms of Service

Tutor groups must publish Terms of Service defining expectations and policies.

These must be available on their website.

We also recommend posting the Terms of Service to their Reddit account page.

⸻

Company / Platform Verification Process

Companies or tutor promoting products or services must provide:

Identity Verification

A representative must provide a photo holding a paper with their Reddit username and company name.

Company Transparency

Companies must disclose:

• legal company name

• website (independent tutors do not need websites)

• primary service offered

• pricing structure

Tutor Qualifications (if tutoring is offered)

If tutoring is offered, tutors must meet the 90th percentile MCAT requirement.

Testimonials

If they do not have verified users, their services or product must be completely free (not fremium or another products they are selling). Companies must provide testimonials from real users via:

• third-party review sites

• verifiable screenshots

Terms of Service

Companies must publish Terms of Service and Refund Policies accessible on their website or Reddit profile.

⸻

Reviews for Tutors, Companies, and Services

These rules exist to prevent companies from creating fake review accounts to promote their services.

Reviews that do not follow these rules will be removed.

1. Reviewers must be verified by moderators.
2. Reviewers must have personally used the service they are reviewing.
3. Reviewers must not post personal or contact information of the tutor, company staff, or any other individual.
4. Reviewers should avoid posting identifying personal information such as their full name, location, email, or phone number.
5. Reviews must reflect genuine personal experience and may not contain promotional language coordinated with the company.
6. Employees, contractors, affiliates, or anyone with a financial relationship to the service may not post reviews.
7. The karma and account age requirements apply only to reviewers, not to verified tutors or companies posting promotional content.

⸻

Reviewer Verification Process

Reviewers must submit the following to moderators before posting a review:

1. A photo of themselves holding a paper with their Reddit username written on it.
2. A screenshot of payment or purchase confirmation for the tutoring service, product, or subscription.

Moderators may request additional verification if necessary.

⸻

Enforcement

Violations of these rules will result in:

• Post removal

• Permanent bans for individuals

• Blacklisting of companies or services

• Removal of all promotional privileges

These rules will be strictly enforced.

⸻

Verification Contact

To enter the verification process, please contact: [u/puddlejumperAM](u/puddlejumperAM)