midnight

Yes, I do think it's a much safer bet to apply to less competitive and/or lower ranked schools. As far as an SLP degree goes, prestige and name recognition don't seem to matter as much as long as the program equips you with solid coursework and clinical experience. And I'm glad you feel a bit better--all you can do is try!

Is there a specific reason he can cite? Surely there has to be more to the story. It sounds like he's actively trying to dissuade you from applying to certain schools, which is...well, not cool if it's undeserved. And if he's truly reluctant to write an LOR for you, I'm not sure it's a great idea to insist on a letter from him. It may end up forced, lackluster, or coded with "I don't truly endorse this applicant," and a negative LOR is application suicide.

OK, first of all, I don't think you're doomed per se. Your SLS GPA is great and (I assume?) meets all or many prereqs for a graduate degree in SLP. Don't stress too much over the C. You may want to address your low English GPA in your SOP--you can briefly and concisely make mention of a chronic health issue without going into specifics (I wouldn't bring up anxiety and depression), but it's important for it to seem not as an excuse but as an explanation. And remember that your SOP, LORs, GRE, and experience contribute to your total app. GPA minimums exist, but many people from the lower end of the spectrum get into grad school. Where are you thinking of applying?

I believe that ETS strongly prefers quantity over quality. That's not to say your writing should be incoherent or illogical, but it's better to write, write, write five or six strong but basic paragraphs than it is to write three perfectly crafted academic ones. The examples on the ETS site and in almost any practice book show you where you want to be. Don't go in and write the way you did for an A on a college term paper or written exam; the GRE is more like aiming for an A on a generic high school essay, which is not bad considering the time constraints. Length, specific examples, and a few fancy vocabulary words go far in the AW portion.

Yeah, I just took the new GRE today and strongly prefer the new format. It's more intuitive, less stressful, and easier to tackle. Quite honestly I didn't see much of a difference in difficulty between my first verbal section and my second, and I ended up scoring 164, two points higher than my verbal equivalent score on the old test. If anything, it seemed like my second verbal section was slightly easier--though I suppose it's possible I missed more on the first verbal section and the second section helped boost my score? And I'm not a quant person at all, so my score was predictably mediocre, but I still improved A LOT over my first dismal GRE quant score. (I took the old format test last year just before the change and hated the question-by-question adaptive test.) Also I really felt the time crunch by having only 30 minutes for the argument essay this time around. I forced myself to write as much as I could, but I have no idea how coherent I was since I had essentially no time to proofead or edit. I think they should do away with the AW section; it makes the test much too long and grueling and certainly isn't more valuable or accurate than a writing sample and SOP.

Love this.

Yeah, review a few word lists and take as many verbal practice tests as you can tolerate. I'm seeing hit parade words like "minatory" and "diffidence" again and again in practice, but who knows what the actual test will throw your way. I made sure to remember "jackleg" as well since it appeared twice in my Barron's practice. I have an expansive vocabulary, yet I still run across the occasional unfamiliar word. However, it's not too difficult to narrow down the choices if you're a word-oriented person. Sometimes the format of the sentence you need to fill in is trickier than the word choices. (And as an aside, I can't imagine tackling the GRE verbal without an already-strong vocab base. I know people do it, but it seems daunting and nearly impossible in some respects.) Anyway, I truly think you'll be fine.

Your scores are more than fine (and no, you don't have to worry about a 5.0 AW--many schools don't give much weight to AW, and a 5.0 is a good score). A compelling SOP and strong LORs are more important to your app than adding a few more points to your already solid GRE scores. And what was your major GPA? You may want to emphasize it on your CV.

apiso, I think it may be worth another try if you have time to study, can focus on your weaknesses, and take time to learn some quick and dirty tips/tricks of the test. GRE math is not difficult, but ETS relies on careless errors and oversights. I recommend the Princeton Review book for their test tips and tricks, Barron's for their practice tests, and ETS's Powerprep for simulated practice. Many people here suggest Manhattan prep to help push a decent test-taker over the 160+ threshold, but again, it seems worth it only if you have ample time to devote to it.

You still need to know vocab, but it's all in context now. The question types are very different than the previous test, so it's most important to familiarize yourself with the new format. If you were able to score 99% on the last version and reading comprehension is your strength, I don't think you'll have any problem with the current test.

Oh man, keeping focused is a completely different story. (I should be studying right now!) I just do it whenever I can. I don't force it much because that doesn't truly help me engage or retain information. And I don't worry about sitting for complete four-hour tests at home; it's just too exhausting and time-consuming for me without test-day adrenaline. I usually do an entire practice verbal section, review math formulas or a certain math concept (like proportions or radicals) and do some relevant problems, etc. when I can. Some people here are machines when it comes to studying, but more efficient studying is better than hours and hours of studying for me.

Pinkman, I like the Princeton Review prep for test tips, tricks, and basic review, and I like the Barron's practice test book as well (e.g., the verbal seems on par with the actual test). Many people here swear by Manhattan prep if you want/need to score 165+ and have ample time to study. Also don't forget to use ETS's Powerprep for practice.

Five fleshed-out paragraphs should be fine. Just make sure to include specific examples, transition words, and high-level vocabulary words. Nuance or a tight argument is not needed or appreciated. I'm not worried about the AW per se, but the last version of the test had a few AW advantages--one, you could pick your topic from two choices; two, you had 45 minutes for the argument section (I believe it was that section); three, you weren't expected to be as specific. And yeah, I can send my scores from last time, but I'm retaking because I desperately need to do better in the quant section--I might as well try to do the same or better in the other sections if I'm going to have the opportunity!

My advice for the essay: 1. Make it long. 2. Make it formulaic. 3. Add specific examples whenever possible. 4. Throw in $5 words--especially the kind you'll normally only see on a test like the GRE such as "inchoate" and "abeyance"--anywhere you can as long as they're in context. I scored a 5.0 on my AW, but that was last summer before they revised the essay portion. I'm annoyed that I'm retaking next week and the AW is a bit different now, but I've prepped a little just to calm my nerves. After scanning the pool of issue topics, it seems that most prompts are related to education, technology/invention, science, politics/government, the arts, and law/ethics, so I brainstormed a few examples for each of those subjects and hope to plug them in on test day. Some of the prompts are significantly easier for me than others; I'm praying that I get one about the arts or education!

You have a lot of great experience and many other strengths. Relax a bit about the GRE. Keep studying and try to do your best; that's all you can do. Focus on things that are more within your control: Your SOP, the profs you ask to write your LORs, the programs you choose, etc. Barron's verbal seems a *bit* trickier than the actual GRE IMO. Make sure to practice with ETS's Powerprep. A 160+ verbal is within your reach, I think.

^If a professor tells you to do that, it's probably wise to listen! Good luck, viggo. Your stats look great.

I think it's appropriate to mention a mediocre GPA in an SOP *only* if there was a clear-cut explanation such as a family emergency, illness, or other true hardship that affected your performance, and even then it probably shouldn't be more than a brief mention. However, if your GPA was mediocre due to a tough program, difficult professors, or any other normal academic reason, I don't see the point in mentioning it. It may come across as a flimsy excuse or whining. Also if your GRE score is truly mediocre--especially your quant--you may want to retake it. And I don't see the point in explaining a so-so GRE score in an SOP; it is what it is, and if you have a lot of great things going for you that you feel confident applying to PhD programs, then your SOP is better off focusing on your strengths, research, and passion for the field.

I have to agree with emm--I don't know about the Canadian admissions process, but if those schools require the GRE, I believe you should retake and aim for a higher quant. For top programs in the US, science and math applicants are expected to have high quant scores.

Thanks, Gandalf! I definitely need all the luck I can get. SLP admissions are insanely competitive now!

Jean, I think you should retake the GRE to get your quant score firmly in the 160s/boost your verbal considering the UPenn numbers below: Average GPA 3.7 Verbal 89% Quantitative 81% Writing 4.6

If that's the prompt, that's the prompt. I think it's a bad idea to write it on a separate piece of paper or make it a mere paragraph in a standard SOP unless the school explicitly tells you to do that. I think this prompt allows for you to show your personality, originality, and creativity, and you should feel free to do that.

Quite honestly, that was the worst part of the tedious GRE test experience for me (well, aside from bombing quant, but that was my fault since I didn't properly review beforehand). While the people at the center where I took my test were nice enough, I still didn't enjoy being treated like a criminal going through prison intake protocol just so I could have the privilege of sitting for a four-hour exam.

I'm only applying to two schools as of right now, but I may have to up it to four or five because there has been a glut of SLP applicants in recent years. If things were still the way they were three or so years ago, I'd be completely satisfied with just two apps.

I think you should retake to be competitive. I have a ton of questions about the kind of material you came across on the quant section, but I know it's moot since my test will probably be very different than yours.

You don't need to explain your low verbal score in your personal statement. (And there's really nothing to explain as international students are expected to be fluent or proficient in English; saying "English isn't my first language" won't make an adcom go easier on you.) To offset your verbal score, write a strong, positive SOP that conveys your aptitude, experience, and passion for the field and for the particular programs you've chosen. Make sure your LORs are from people who think highly of you and your work. And apply to a few less competitive schools that you'd still be happy and fortunate to attend. Also consider retaking the GRE to go for your perfect math score as well as to boost your verbal a bit. Think of your first try as a practice test and learn from it; don't make it a huge source of stress and anxiety. The GRE does not define who you are as a person or even as an applicant. Good luck!