
peachypie
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Everything posted by peachypie
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All depends on what you want your endpoint goal to be. Having a bachelors you can only get so far in the sciences, there are just some things you cannot do without a graduate degree. You can work up to a certain point which is fine if that is where you are hoping to be one way or the other. I went to get a PhD because there were things I needed to have the advanced degree to be able to do that I want in my future.
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Anyone know the average GRE/GPA for Conflict Resolution at GU?
peachypie replied to vquinonez's topic in GRE/GMAT/etc
you can try a results search on this site and see what the typical accepted versus rejected stats were. Go to results search up at the top and type in the institution and the program and see what you get. May give you an idea if you still are having difficulty getting information. -
Contact someone regarding admissions if you are really curious, I'd guess that based on their deadlines it should be up shortly if not now, but definitely by the end of September/start of October.
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You should base your decisions on where to apply on those places that have a good fit for your desired research interests. It would be wise to include some of the more prestigious schools if you feel so inclined as well as though you feel you would very competitive applicants. Do not hold yourself back to apply to a top tier program that is a good fit for you just because of your GPA. As a comparison, do not only apply to top tier programs that are known to attract highly competitive students if that is the case. Basically, spread your applications a bit to find good fit no matter what, with different levels of competitiveness.
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To GRE or not to GRE? (AGAIN!!) ... that is the question!
peachypie replied to MellylaMelle's topic in GRE/GMAT/etc
Since you didn't really go into how poorly you did on quants, I can't really speak to that section of your GRE. At this point you paid for it, just go ahead and take it. If you have time to go over some of the quant stuff I'd do so but I wouldn't stress about it. Maybe that is part of the issue? I'd go in and be relaxed and just take the exam and see how you do. You obviously have the backup of a program to go into next year regardless. I would also question whether your GRE score as being the sole source of your application problems. Was there anything else that you can improve upon also in the last year or was the GRE the only thing holding you back? Typically a not stellar GRE isn't necessarily going to screw you out of an interview if you aren't strong in the sections that are less pertinent to your anticipated degree. I am not sure what Education is like, so I won't comment on that. So to summarize: take the exam but don't stress at this point. Look at the rest of your application and critique if there are any other things you can work on to improve the overall application as well. Assess your week and strong points and tailor your application to highlight your strengths and provide evidence as to why your weaknesses will not be detrimental to your success in your program. Best of luck. -
GRE Literature vs. GRE General
peachypie replied to Poiple's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I didn't have to take a GRE subject so I didn't study for both. I reviewed for the GRE general, but if I were taking both I would spend more time on the subject test rather than the general. Mainly your grasp of the literature subject test will be more reflective of what you are capable of in your literature PhD. If you bomb the quant section but do great on the GRE subject then it shows that though you have weaker quant skills you have relative skills to your PhD. Raising your quant score in that case will not be as helpful as raising your subject score. Do you have to provide both or is the subject an optional recommendation? If you don't have to do both then I'd also consider dropping the subject and going GRE general only. -
I think the bigger red flag would be that your former advisor does not want to write a LOR for you rather than a generic letter. I mean in this case I think something is going to be better than nothing. Sometimes they just need a letter, other times they are looking for something good, but if they are working with you this much to get a letter and giving this amount of time they are obviously interested. If they weren't they would just hire the next applicant. So try to get a generic letter if you can or at a minimum ask if you can provide a phone number so they may contact them, if not then I'd explain it to the lab you are applying to that you are unable to get a LOR from your former advisor and see what happens from there.
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Maybe start by looking at academic institutions that do research of interest to you in the field?
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The biggest help I had when writing my SOP in general was to have someone in the field read it, since they know the things that someone who has been involved in the field for years are looking for and what is missing. I had a friend read mine over and she simply asked me something about what i had written and I answered her and she was like, you didn't get that across in what you wrote here." It was very helpful to go through it and expect to revise it for this second time. I really think my SOP did some great revising throughout the process. So first have someone who at a minimum has the masters you want and maybe even some experience on top of that read it over and critique it. Then sit down and make sure you are addressing the points you need. I definitely think you should re-write it at a minimum to now include you work experience and your final year of courses. From a year ago you should definitely have some new things to add from graduating to getting a job. You should have more focus and understanding of what you are interested in and what things within the field are of more interest to you. Maybe focus on things that you learned in school that you find yourself applying now in your job, then explain how your coursework in your masters will help you to apply it for your interest in XYZ. I don't think you HAVE to re-write from scratch but I'd expect some major revisions if I were you. Best of luck.
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Economics Grad program with poor math background - need advice
peachypie replied to a topic in Economics Forum
I am not sure how many courses you have yet to complete to satisfy the requirement for application to graduate school in economics; however, I would try my best if possible to go to a reputable university. if you have the option between a community college and a local university, I'd go with the local university. Do only what you can however. Better yet if there is a place you are interested in going and can take classes there it would be another extra advantage. Do what you can, but don't do it if it is financially not feasible to complete. Again to me, it would be a factor of how many courses I had to complete. -
I didn't contact anyone at the universities I applied to, and got plenty of interviews, all but one of the schools I got an interview and following an acceptance into. Most of the places that I applied to sometimes asked about professors you are interested in working with and in that case I listed but none of them outright asked me who I had been in contact with. However, I applied to programs that all had rotations so it was not necessary to select one person to join their lab or research so I think that is why there is not a lot of stress on that aspect of the application. I would imagine this depends on the program and the area of interest. In my realm, most people have funding and if your first POI can't take a student there will definitely be someone else that can. If that is not the case I would see why it is important to be in contact with a specific person of interest. I don't know what history is like so I can't speak to that. I'd err on the side of your professor, only email someone if you legitimately have a question about something they are doing don't just email them to check that off a list of "things you are supposed to do", Best of luck.
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Can't login to my current "My GRE" account, should I create another one?
peachypie replied to Alexrey's topic in GRE/GMAT/etc
you may have booked your test through the website but did you make an account with them as well? I don't recall if registering for the GRE automatically gave you a login account too. I'm confused have you ever been able to login or is this new? i've been able to contact the ETS and they certainly got back to me via email. I may have even called them once, I'd try that or give them a few business days to answer. If it has been over 5 business days I'd email or call again. it sounds strange the issue you are having since most times sending an email for a password reset works for 99% of the people. also sometimes on website logins your email and your username are different, so if that is the case (I can't remember if ETS is) then try a your email without the @gmail.com or whatever. Hope you get through eventually! -
Do I need to retake GRE? (Chemical Engineering)
peachypie replied to stefahrencat's topic in GRE/GMAT/etc
I would not retake. You did very well in your other scores and I've heard that the AW portion is only going to really make a difference if its on the extreme (very high or very low). I'd also like to say that you can show them you are actually a good writer by submitting a great SOP...which should clarify if there was any doubt about your ability to write. -
The GRE is away to standardize applicants since it is a standardized test. It allows another facet of the applicant since purely looking at GPA would be subjective to the course load and university that each applicant attended. It is another way of getting a view of how an applicant compares to others, just as GPA, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose and interviews do as well.
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Go to the ETS website, they have information there for test prep materials that are free. Also some practice sections. go to kaplan and princeton review websites, use anything they provide for free. Sign up if you can for online or test dates between now and your test (they should have at least 1 or 2 you can take from your home computer between now and december. I simply went through kaplan and princeton review study prep books for the quant and did the practice for verbal ( i didn't bother to work on vocab since to actually improve your vocab you'll need at least a few months and i did it in weeks). I did however at least go through the commonly seen words that should be in the kaplan test prep. Familiarize yourself with those at a minimum. after i reviewed the math and verbal i took a few practice exams all for free and then it was go time. best of luck!
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I would recommend using a google search and respective university's admission pages with "how to apply" sections. if you want a graduate degree, masters or otherwise you should be willing to put the time in to research the schools.
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I filled those out without thinking twice about them. Because when I went to interviews a question that came up from PIs and other students was always: "where else have you interviewed/applied?" and one PI went so far as to say, what is our competition, because trust me that is how they are seeing it. When I made my decision and filled out the declination for the schools that all accepted me one of the questions always asked was, where did you decide to go? Why did you feel this school was a better fit for you, etc. they all want to know how to get the applicants they want and how to improve themselves. Remember its kind of an interview process for them to show you what they can offer you too. Just like we don't know all of our applicant competition, they don't know either and they are equally as interested. Best of luck and let that be one of the easiest questions to fill out in all of the application forms!
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The schools can also set their own cutoffs, so even though the GRE is officially good for five years some schools may ask for GRE within the last 3 years. I think that is fairly rare, but if a school has any kind of time cutoff below 5 years they would make it clear in the application under the GRE section. Within that time period I don't think they care when nor would it have any bearing on your application. Think of it also that they don't care how long ago you graduated. A newer GPA is no different than a 2 year old GPA. The numbers mean the same. I'd think GRE "expiration dates" are more about ETS than it is school's.
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Word-limit for SOP's
peachypie replied to greenlover45's topic in Statement of Purpose, Personal History, Diversity
Why don't you write the 2500 one, and then edit to the smaller ones? If it is most schools asking for no more than 1500 and one or two schools asking for 2500 then I'd write a 1500 one and edit for the minority of the longer ones. Also there is a difference between maximum and minimum. So in theory a good 1500 should still be fine for a max 2500. If you want you can always add or extrapolate a bit more on the 1500 if you want to make it closer to 2000. I wouldn't look at is as a "write to the max" rather as a write what you need to and fall within the parameters. Most SOPs should be in the 1.5-2 page max range (imo). -
Do I need to re-take the GRE? (Biological Sciences Advice)
peachypie replied to sleepyjoey's topic in GRE/GMAT/etc
If you have time yet this fall, I'd plan on re-taking it. it is a bit on the low side and the last thing you want to do is limit yourself on something you could still change. -
First Year Students Fall 2014 How's It Going
peachypie replied to Threeboysmom's topic in Officially Grads
I've been reading textbooks non-stop. -
just waive the right. I did and had no qualms about it because I knew that my recommenders had great things to say and I had nothing to hide or worry about. If you choose to view it, it doesn't allow your LORs the ability to be completely honest without fear (which as someone who has written LORs it is nice to know you can honestly write it peer to committee and the admins will also know its credibility has not been altered by the knowledge of an applicant accessing it; and its also a sign of respect to the people that you asked that you trust they have good things to say. It also shows the admission committee you feel solid that you have good things to write about. There is no benefit to waiving your right except that you will read it. Doesn't mean you prevent what gets said either way.
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LOR from a professor or a Non PhD project guide
peachypie replied to rakwad's topic in Letters of Recommendation
In this scenario I would say go with the latter. Someone with a masters but can speak specifically about your work is better than a generic prof one. -
First I'd go the ETS website and use the gre preparation materials they list there as a way to start. Go through the information the test itself is providing you for free. Then Id check to see if I could check out or purchase a princeton review or kaplan gre prep guide to use. If you want to do anything it takes to raise those scores I'd try different resources available to you since it doesn't sound like what you are doing now is helping to raise your scores. It is going to be difficult to raise your verbal scores quickly but your quant scores should be easiest to move through practice. Best of luck.