makingmoves

What was your GPA and GRE score?

Were your GRE scores already sufficient when you applied both times? Meaning, I'm wondering if your retaking the GREs plus taking grad non-degree classes helped you along.

I tried this approach with Magoosh's compartmentalization video strategy. I would move on to the next topic after I thought I had mastered one, four topics down the road I would forget the strategies I learned from earlier. Nonetheless I took the GRE and didn't do so well. Is learning an iterative process, as in... if I forget the topic, keep returning to it and it will eventually stick?

Books that I have read (notably an investor's experience in East Asia- Jim Roger's Street Smarts) and research I've done, plus online rankings for East Asian Studies M.A.'s, such as http://www.topgradprograms.com/browse/programs.php?let=E&pid=189 and http://www.valpo.edu/chineseandjapanesestudies/macs/graduateprograms.pdf recommend those schools as best options in my area. But I don't necessarily need to do an East Asian Studies M.A.... I want anything that will adequately prepare me to be a liaison/connect for American and East Asian relations and/or business. So my plan was to get stronger foundations of the East Asian region and Mandarin language through advanced studies, and then get an MBA. Do you have recommendations? Should I just Google search "top area studies + FLAS programs"? I think what I need is an adviser, lol. As far as specific researchers and scholars, I really have no idea about that. I've only talked to some friends who went to Columbia who rave about some top researchers for topics like China Economics and Global Economy teaching at their program. How do I find "top" scholars in these fields?

Now there's a thought! I'll have to check some programs out. Does my current profile not look competitive enough for a top-level MA program in East Asian studies?

Good to know, thanks. So the GPA boost + related coursework from the Trinity degree wouldn't necessarily help me towards getting into the MA? Plus, if I start this BA program at Trinity in Fall 2014, and take 2 semesters with a high GPA and great coursework, and find out I get in to the MA before I finish the BA degree, I could always drop out from Trinity. Also, what do you mean by expanding my scope to other programs? Academically? I wanted to attend top programs for East Asian Studies, and figured a MA from a good school was the best way to go. I would apply to more schools and more programs besides Area Studies programs (such as International Relations, Columbia's practical Chinese MARSEA training program, International Business, etc) but my full-time job is willing to sponsor part-time graduate studies. So I can only apply to somewhat nearby schools that offer part-time studies... So given my strong language background, I was going to shoot for a higher level MA in East Asian Studies program, develop a solid foundation of the language, history, and economics of the region, and combine that later with a MBA to become a liaison for business or some other field. Given this goal, any thoughts on local/online/part-time programs I should look into?

I'm applying to Yale and Columbia's East Asian Studies programs. Yale has a min of 308, and Columbia doesn't have a specified minimum for that specific program. - I have 5 solid recommendations, 3 academic, 2 professional. - 3.7 GPA for Chinese coursework (41 credits, but never got the BA degree), 3.45 Major GPA in MIS, (3.25 cumulative due to Computer Science minor) from a mid to upper tiered school (University of Connecticut) - I've studied abroad for a semester in Taiwan, and speak Mandarin with an advanced proficiency - Hired as interpreter and venue security for General Electric executives at Beijing Olympics - My statement of purpose is also solid. - Mediocre GRE: 155V, 150Q. I will retake next year if I don't get in. - I've worked 3 years at a respectable multinational fortune 50 company... facilitating some projects for Chinese customers - I also have lots of volunteer experience at local schools, tutoring, and TA'ing the language and culture. I'm also working with Junior Achievement's China Global Business Exchange program to help 20 kids from Beijing and CT to create a mock global company. - And am currently developing a video game to facilitate the learning of the language Question: I'm expecting my mediocre GRE and GPA will preclude my admission into those schools for Fall 2014. That being said, I want to start now building a stronger application for the next time I apply to the MA. I thought I could do that by applying to a nearby International Studies BA program with focus on East Asia from Trinity College (upper-tier Liberal Arts college) in Hartford. They said they can accept a lot of transfer credit from UConn, so I could perhaps graduate with a new BA from Trinity in 1 year. This has many benefits in my mind to achieve my goal for the MA: - Earn an actual BA degree in something related to the Masters- International Studies, focus on China - The BA would be from a more prestigious program/school, maybe help boost chances - I would only need a few more classes (maybe 1 year) to get the degree. If I put the time in, I can put a high GPA on my resume - My company would pay for the Bachelors if I pursue it part time Any reason to not bother wasting time getting the second bachelors?

Yes I'm very frustrated about my scores. All of my practice scores under timed conditions for Manhattan and Magoosh were around 157Q, 160V... so I don't think they accurately reflected the actual ETS GRE. If I don't get in this time, I'll change up my study plan and try again next year. What were your scores btw? Maybe you can provide some study tips? But what about my application do you think is strong otherwise?

spottedzebra, mind checking out my post above (top of page) and mentioning if you think I have a shot or not for those schools?

I'm applying to Yale and Columbia's EAS and EALAC programs, respectively. I'd like to read a few books from their notable professors to perhaps have some talking points in my essays. My interest is to gain a deep understanding of East Asia (China focus) from a literature, contemporary events, history, politics, economics perspective and combine it with my international business background to perhaps be a liaison in business. A friend from Columbia's EALAC program recommend Columbia professor Madeleine Zelin's The Merchants of Zigong. I plan on reading that over break. Any good reads from Yale professors?

I have a question about my application... I don't have time to retake the GREs for my application deadlines this year. My scores are mediocre... V: 155, Q: 150, 4.0 AWA, 305 Total. (I have diagnosed ADD, so I constantly found myself running out of time during the test due to timing and anxiety/focus issues (practice scores average 155-158Q, 158-160V). I only found out about extended time options too late... so I couldn't use those benefits. Maybe I can upload the diagnosis as supplementary info? If I don't get in this time around, I can always work hard over the year for next year ) I'm applying to Yale and Columbia's East Asian Studies programs. Yale has a min of 308, and Columbia doesn't have a specified minimum for that specific program. - I have 5 solid recommendations, 3 academic, 2 professional. - 3.7 GPA for Chinese coursework (41 credits), 3.45 Major GPA in MIS, (3.25 cumulative due to Computer Science minor) from a mid to upper tiered school (University of Connecticut) - I've studied abroad for a semester in Taiwan, and speak Mandarin with an advanced proficiency - Hired as interpreter and venue security for General Electric executives at Beijing Olympics - My statement of purpose is also solid. - I've worked 3 years at a respectable multinational fortune 50 company... facilitating some projects for Chinese customers - I also have lots of volunteer experience at local schools, tutoring, and TA'ing the language and culture. I'm also working with Junior Achievement's China Global Business Exchange program to help 20 kids from Beijing and CT to create a mock global company. - And am currently developing a video game to facilitate the learning of the language That being said, do you think the scores will preclude my chances of getting in? How competitive are these programs anyway? Do I have a shot at all? I would apply to more schools and more programs besides Area Studies programs (such as International Relations, Columbia's practical Chinese MARSEA training program, International Business, etc) but my full-time job is willing to sponsor part-time graduate studies. So I can only apply to somewhat nearby schools that offer part-time studies... So given my strong language background, I was going to shoot for a higher level MA in East Asian Studies program, develop a solid foundation of the language, history, and economics of the region, and combine that later with an MBA to become a liaison for business or some other field. Given this goal, any thoughts on local/online/part-time programs I should look into?

Lol, I had similar experience with my GRE... Except, I put the time and effort in the first time with Magoosh and Manhattan... My practice scores... ETS Power Prep: 156, 150Q Manhattan Test 1: 161V, 148Q Manhattan Test 2: 163V, 152Q Manhattan Test 3: 157V, 153Q Manhattan Test 4: 158V, 155Q Manhattan Test 5: 158V, 157Q Manhattan Test 6: 158V, 164Q ETS PowerPrep 2: 156V, 150Q (what the hell happened here?!) Magoosh Dashboard: 157-162V, 155-160Q GRE actual test 1 after decent prepwork: 157V, 146Q Took the GRE 3 weeks later without studying at all... because I was annoyed by the discrepancy in practice and actual GRE score. GRE actual test 2: 155V, 150Q So I'm a bit stumped on how to prep for it... but am applying for top-tier East Asian Studies programs... so will probably need a much higher score. Since it's too late this year to retake the test again... we'll see what happens with my application... but if I don't get in... I have a full year to work on my building my reading and math skills.

The issue is, I'm taking advantage of my company sponsoring my Masters degree... so I need to find an upper tier part-time program and commute (or online), which severely limits my options. At nearby schools, I've only found part-time programs at Yale and Columbia in East Asian Studies.... (Columbia offers a more practical Chinese-Business training MA, but that's full time.) I also don't see many options for part-time nearby International Relations programs... and looking at those students' profiles... I really don't think I'd have a chance: "Successful applicants have worked across the public, nonprofit and private sectors. Some recent examples include the Mahattan Family Court; Handler & Goodman LLP; Obama for America; British Embassy; Belarus Ministry of Telecommunications; Undersecretariate of the Prime Ministry for Foreign Trade - Turkey; Dresdner Kleinwort Investment Bank; TBW Media/TBWB Strategies; United States Peace Corps" Yeah, No... So I thought my best bet given my strong language background was to shoot for a higher level MA in East Asian Studies program, develop a solid foundation of the language, history, and economics of the region, and combine that later with a MBA to become a liaison for business or some other field. (you're welcome to look at my statement of purpose for more info if you'd like... haha ) Do you have any other advice on some good programs, or maybe some good part-time IR programs that I haven't considered around CT/NY/MA?

Any thoughts on this?

So, I don't have time to retake the GREs for my application deadlines this year. My scores are mediocre... V: 155, Q: 150, 4.0 AWA, 305 Total. I'm applying to Yale and Columbia's East Asian Studies programs. Yale has a min of 308, and Columbia doesn't have a specified minimum for that specific program. - I have 5 solid recommendations, 3 academic, 2 professional. - 3.7 GPA for Chinese coursework (41 credits), 3.45 Major GPA in MIS, (lower a bit to 3.25 including Computer Science coursework) - I've studied abroad for a semester in Taiwan, and speak Mandarin with an advanced proficiency. - Hired as interpreter and venue security for General Electric executives at Beijing Olympics - My statement of purpose is also solid. - I also have lots of volunteer experience at local schools, tutoring, and TA'ing the language and culture. And am currently developing a video game to facilitate the learning of the language. So I think I have a strong application, but mediocre GRE scores. That being said, do you think the scores will preclude my chances of getting in? I have diagnosed ADD, so I constantly found myself running out of time during the test due to timing and anxiety/focus issues (practice scores average 155-158Q, 158-160V). I only found out about extended time options too late... so I couldn't use those benefits.Maybe I can upload the diagnosis as supplementary info?

For the GMAT, you get a percentile for both q and v sections, and an assigned overall percentile. Is there something similar for the GRE?

Still can't find where you're seeing your individual questions...

Agreed... I posted on my study and first GRE test experiences here: I prepped hard with Magoosh for 2 months and was getting decent scores on theirs and Manhattan practice tests (158-160V, 157Q) and had around that average on the Magoosh dashboard... then on test day saw completely different math questions... I got a 157V, 146Q on test day. I rescheduled a test for Dec 10th and am just going to use ETS books and practice tests for review... but I'm honestly not going to study as much... just review the basics again and not put too much weight on the 2nd exam. (More weight = more worry = more mistakes). I'll let you know how I do on round 2.

Is it possible to view not only your scores on ETS, but also the questions you got wrong for review?

I took mine Nov 15th and posted about my performance here: (basically I studied a lot, did well on practice tests as shown, but bombed actual test) I plan to take them again on Dec 10th but was going to follow the advice I've seen on the forums of "going in not putting so much weight on the test..." I'll prepare here and there for the math... but not at the same intensity as the first time I took it. Good idea?

Loric, Obviously people considering grad school have had to take a series of standardized tests... None of those tests, however, really make or break an application. You fail a midterm, you can talk over options with the professor, or do better on the final... or ace a project... Not saying failing the GRE really makes or breaks an application, since most adcoms consider all aspects... but you have to admit there is a lot more riding on this test... it's an entrance exam. Moreover, you're saying we should focus on developing the skills instead of freaking out... but like I posted before, in my case, and many others, my average practice test scores (8 practice tests) under timed conditions were much higher than my actual GRE (went from 158V, 157Q to 157V, 146Q)... so that, coupled with the fact that I actually felt more nervous on test day... led me to believe that test anxiety is a real thing.

It says on the cover of the ETS Official GRE Guide 2nd Edition that there are 4 real practice tests. Are they referring to two PowerPrep tests, and two tests in the back of the book? Or are there more PowerPrep/Online practice tests that they offer? I'm following Magoosh's 2-3 Month prep guide: http://magoosh.com/gre/2011/2-3-month-gre-study-guide/ On weeks 7-8 (near bottom) they say: Complete ETS Official Guide 2nd. edition Test 1 and make sure you understand every question (Video Link) Which video link?

Hi, I took the GRE on Friday (11/15) and did fine on verbal... not so well on Quant. I am planning on taking the GRE for a second time in 21 days (Dec 7th) to get a new score in there just in time for app deadlines. That being said... Since my verbal is solid... I was just going to focus on Quant. Does the GRE allow you to send the best scores for Verbal and Quant from each test? Like, let's say this time I get a lower V, but a better Q... do I have the send the 2nd test as a whole... or can I just send the better V and Q from both tests? Thanks

BunnyWantsa, I posted this after I took the GRE: You said you focused on "not being anxious" and did much better. Can you tell me how you did that? My anxiety definitely got the best of me when I consider how much better I did on average during the practice tests.

Any more thoughts on this?