LTee

thanks for the insight guys, I appreciate it

Oddly the school I visited didn't have clocks either. Might I add, I have no problem whatsoever with christians, Im just hesitant that a) I might not fit in socially and I want to because I will be moving far from home, and Im hoping its not an issue that Im NOT christian. I doubt it would be, its not like anywhere in the application did they ask "what is your religion????" but then again perhaps they assume I wouldn't apply if I weren't in fact christian.

I sensed a religious atmosphere because the interview process was done as a group, and it was very in depth. Therefore I was able to get to know some of the applicants and many spoke of God in relation to the interview.

Oh wow this school had NO such rules. The school obviously was founded by Christians and they have a lot of theology courses etc., but other than that it didn't seem like they shoved in your face, and when I visited the faculty didn't even mention religion, however the applicants there seemed VERY religious. I was hoping I wouldnt be the only odd-ball but I surely felt like it. Maybe its not even a big deal? Its still an education right? I don't know.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Im not sure what to do and it MAY be the only school I was admitted to. Im not so much worried about the academic life as I am the social networking life. Any advice?

For those of you who have taken it multiple times, is it possible to drastically increase your score by say 100 points ( in each section?) Basically, I took it for the first time with little to no prep, did HORRENDOUS, so I studied, or what I thought was studying, for it over the entire summer, and got basically the same score. It was pretty heart breaking, granted Im clearly not good at the test, and maybe need a new method of studying ( I used the Princeton Review Book). But statistically will I probably just score around the same if I take again, or is it possible to greatly improve my score?? Any advice?

As far as interviews go, I know they are the last stage in the application process. I was wondering, how many of you have had interviews and then gotten or not gotten in to the school? Do you suppose they generally accept most who make it to the interview process unless that individual has really poor interpersonal skills and/or lack of knowledge about the program (the obvious things that would make an interview not go well.)

WHAT ABOUT DECIDING BETWEEN THE PHONE INTERVIEW OR THE IN-PERSON INTERVIEW????? I was offered an option of doing a phone interview because Im from out of state, but will is it better to attend the in person one??? I cant decide but I need to make a decision quick...Any thoughts?? Obviously I have no second thoughts about flying and attending the in-person interview, other than the costs.

Also, if a school gives the option for out-of-state applicants to do a phone interview, does it look better to attend the in person interview? Does it show commitment to travel to that school and actually meet the faculty, or is it completely the same effect if one opts for the phone interview?

i took that book everywhere I went this summer and FAILED the test, I dont know if it was the book or just me though

Hey guys, I just received an email inviting me to the the interview stage of the application process! (School Psych Ed.S program.) Anyways, I feel unprepared because I wasn't expecting to make it this far in the app process SOO, Im thinking any INFO or ADVICE that ANYONE has regarding admissions interviews would be very valuable and appreciated, even if its not directly related to my program. My main worries are that Im young and I don't want to come off as immature, and Im really just afraid of drawing a blank when asked questions. I dont quite know what to expect.

When I read this topic description I laughed because its totally the same situation as me. I too scored HORRIFIC on the GRE, and by horrific I don't mean upper 400's or whatever. Im pretty sure it was a big part of not getting into any graduate schools last year. I decided to study all summer for it and retake it and I scored basically the same thing. I almost cried. I spent a lot of time writing a brief but important paragraph in my SOP, stressing that I would like to be evaluated more in terms of my real life experiences (which directly relate to my program.) Also, to be realistic, I only applied to schools who didn't have a strict "cut off" score. One school I called even said "I know its odd, but we DO NOT have a minimum GRE score." Anyways, to think that my future and passion to work with children could be boiled down to a GRE score really scares me.

I know how your feel. I scored worse than you did. Its very disheartening to think that that could be the deciding factor in your app. I actually took it twice and got virtually the same score. I really struggle with tests like that, and Im not really sure what to do, other than to address it in my app and emphasize that it doesn't show my true ability.

I ALSO received a higher math gre score than verbal, which was VERY surprising. Ive taken it twice and got virtually the same score. I hope its not the deciding factor in my apps. Hey has anyone heard of the "conditional admissions?" Ive read about it in few of the schools admission sites that Ive applied. Basically they say that if you dont meet ALL of their requirements (gre, gpa), but still show the ability to succeed, they will grant you admissions but you have to get a certain GPA for the first year or so. Anyone heard of this? And is it even real?

Simple question, has anyone gotten into any graduate programs with extremely low GRE scores? I must know.

I hope neither because I just bombed the test yesterday. Im also applying to Ed.S level school psych programs for the second time. I hope this time around is better. Where are you applying?

Yes, I did only apply to Ed.S level programs at Seattle University, and Brooklyn College. Im not really sure what the benefits of getting a Phd in school psych are, other than research opportunities, in which that case Im not really into research. I just want to lean and get certified! Either way, any info would be greatly appreciated. Are there major benefits of applying to a Phd program as opposed to Ed.S? I really dont think I have the GPA or potential GRE scores to do that right of the bat.

Im curious to those of you who got into School Psych programs, what did your applications look like? I failed to get into any schools, Im pretty sure it was my GRE scores. Any advice from successful school psych applicants or any psych applicants in general? Should I take some continuing education grad courses? Does having recommendations from only employers HURT my application? Obviously I will retake the GREs. Im trying to plan for the next round of re-applying. Thanks guys.

I know exactly how you feel. I recently graduated with my BA in psychology, and Ive been working in a school setting with special needs kids for the past year. I applied to 2 (yes only two, dumb move) masters programs, actually Educational Specialist level, for School Psychology. Although I am completely aware that my GRE was horrific 390 V and Math, and 4.5 AW- I was hoping that the programs I applied for could look past this. I also have a 3.1 GPA, again I know its not great, but it's not too shabby either. I tried very hard to convey my passion and reasoning for entering a School Psych program, and I had good references(in my opinion.) I also have a lot of experience working with special needs children. I still haven't heard ANYTHING for these programs, Brooklyn College and Seattle U, other than my application is being evaluated. Im taking this as a bad sign, and I feel similar to you: questioning my life and what I should do. What IF I fail at bringing up my GRE, and I cant really do much about my GPA. Is there hope? So ya, people feel the same way as you do. All I can say is that things happen for a reason and if you (we) dont get in this time around there is probably a good reason for it later down the road. I think I just need to suck it up, carry on and keep applying if I fail to get in.