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Don't be so sure. I'm on my 2nd application cycle and last year one of my letter writers didn't turn in her letter on time. Two days later I got an email from the department saying that if she didn't get it in within 48 hours my application would be thrown out.

Just a PSA with some info I found out today. I am friends with a pscyh graduate student (Year 5 or so) at an R1 institution. I can guarantee that many of you are applying to this school. She told me that she (and some other students) are the first line of application readers. Now, I know that departments often have current students read applications and make recommendations. What I did not know is that the few applications they forward to the AdComm are the only ones that get read. So basically there is a high possibility that the AdComm never even gets to see your application at all. I asked her what they look for and weed out but she hasn't done it before so she's not sure. Possibly GPA/GRE and publications, so those hoping for a more "holistic" approach are basically screwed. She did say that they pull certain applications at the request of professors. So if your advisors are well-connected make sure they tell the POIs at you schools to look out for your application! She was telling me that about half the students every year are picked through this method. Leaving the rest of us with an even smaller chance of being accepted. Fewer than 5 "unknown" students per year. Maybe everyone knew this already, but I was really shocked. It's like the chances just keep getting slimmer for anyone who's not an absolute superstar of a student.

Oh, haha I meant the word limit was 300 words (actually 300-500) and I was having trouble sticking to that few. My others are supposed to be ~1500 so it's quite a change. Thanks!

If you plan on a terminal degree anyway, can't you apply straight to PhD programs? You have a much higher chance of getting funding for a PhD vs an MA.

One of my statements is only 300(!) words on why I am interested in School Psych as a profession. I definitely have enough to fill pages, so my dilemma is: what stays and what goes? What count as the "essentials"? Any tips? I feel like this one should be the easiest but it's turning out to be the most difficult!

Probably more like buzzwords, but if there are certain experiences or whatever you want him/her to mention now's the time to speak up!

Unfortunately you can only choose an entire test (e.g. October 2013 attempt or August 2013 attempt) not pick and choose individual section scores. To the OP I think you should submit both. It should how you have improved in the sections that your program will likely care about, and that you are capable of scoring up to 155V.

As long as you answer them all I don't think you have to number them. As you said it probably interrupts the flow of the statement.

Don't see how it could hurt! Maybe add a qualifier like you did here how you know that and EdS is not a research degree but you are still interested in Prof X's work because of its practical applications.

I am afraid that no school is going to accept a student suspended for plagiarism. Were you readmitted or the charges dropped? Even if it doesn't show on your transcript how are you going to find someone to five you a letter of recommendation? A word of warning: if they find out you lied on your application you can be kicked out. Imagine being one semester from graduation and they find out you lied. Suddenly you're not allowed to get your PhD! Also, you may have to pay back any tuition that the school paid for you. So then you'd be out thousands of dollars, no PhD and no good explanation for what you spent your time doing when you're forced to go on the job market! It's just bad news all around. So don't lie, have one of your references explain it (if you are able to).

Well how is your TOEFL score then? If it's good that should help... Really the key to the verbal section is VOCAB.

It is very low. How did you do in English in school? How did you do on AW (you probably don't know yet)? Is this something you can "explain"? If not you should re-take. HOWEVER, there are lots of Master's programs in Ed that do not require GREs. In fact, the majority that I have seen do NOT require GREs! Try for one of those.

Usually in February. Many programs list interview dates on their websites, or you can use the "Results Search" on this forum to find out when people had interviews at your schools in previous years.

Congrats! Meanwhile I'm writing draft after draft of SoPs and haven't even completed one of my fifteen essays!

No, it's not a crazy switch - education takes people from all disciplines! Just explain to the AdCom (in your Statement of Purpose) as you did to us what precipitated the change in your path so they don't think this is your backup plan or something. Congrats on figuring out what you want to do, and good luck!

I mean, I guess that's up to you but I meant School Counseling.

I think that for a discipline such as Social Work a recommendation from work experience you have in the field is perfectly appropriate. The fact that your supervisor(s) may not have a college degree is completely irrelevant (how would AdComms know that?!) as long as they write you a good/appropriate letter. Coach them correctly about what goes into a recommendation for a graduate program and make sure they are willing to write effusively about your good qualities and you should be fine! Most places want at least 2 academic references, but a 3rd showing that you have practical experience in the field and did it well? That's valuable too!

Is the rest of your application strong? Can you point to high achievement in other stats/math courses? If the answer is yes, I think you should keep these schools on your list. Some schools I've seen ask for you to "explain" a low score or grade. Say, "despite my poor quant score, I have proved that I am capable of higher level statistical/mathematical/whatever work because of my high grade in STATS 400 as evidenced by my transcript from School XYZ". Really don't despiar!

Your best bet would be to get an MA in counseling and then either another MA or and EdD/PhD in Higher Education Administration. Or you could just do HIgher Ed and focus on counseling? I've never heard of any programs that specialize in college counseling.

That seems about right... but really does it matter? If you are accepted and you like it and want to go, then go. If you don't then don't. Nbd.

I just eliminated 3 schools from my list and am now pancking a little bit! Am I being to picky? I eliminated based on lack of fit with research interest (I am applying to PhD programs). I am worried that weeding out that many schools was a mistake. What if one of those was the only one I would have been accepted to? AHHH! OK, it is possible that I am overreacting.

For an Ed.S. practical experience with youth should help you much more than research experience!

You should wait and see what your AW score is before you freak out. If you scored 4.5+ I think you're fine. even 4 is ok. Did you look at averages or cutoffs for your schools? Do they want a 300 combined? Is the average 155 (I just made that up) for Verbal, or what? I think your stats are fine for the tier of programs you are applying to. Usually as long as you fall within a certain range for the GRE it's ok. And even then your SoP, recommendations, etc. will mean a lot more.

You named good ones. There are lots of others: did the teen drivers take driver's ed before their accidents? How many parents can't afford to pay for driver's ed or are unwilling to pay? Why do all teens NEED to take the drivers course; do they all have access to a car? Is taking classes outside Centerville at a cheaper rate an option? Obscure doesn't really matter. Unless the author has very real facts and statistics to back him up, he is assuming something that you can poke holes in. And they never do have real evidence, it's the point of the exercise.