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psyprof

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Everything posted by psyprof

  1. My opinion: The key here is "fits loosely". You need to apply to schools where your stats fit, at least loosely. I've followed these boards and seen many many instances of applicants applying to institutions where they have absolutely no chance of acceptance. The reality is that hundreds of applicants are applying for a few spots. Most schools have parameters of fit and they are rejecting those who don't fit those parameters immediately. They will then examine other issues to narrow down even further. That is where your SOP, experience, LOR's, etc., are useful. Do absolutely pay attention to the stats of those accepted at various schools. While those stats may not wholly portray those admitted, they can give you a good idea of who that school admits. Pay attention to those accepted immediately, those waitlisted, and the stats of those who get off the waitlist. So, your stats may not "fit" the immediately admitted, but may fit those who are accepted off the wait list. You can also start to determine which schools weigh GPA higher than GRE's, and vice versa. You have the data, use it to your advantage. If you are not accepted in a certain application cycle, you need to take a long hard look at your stats and the schools where you applied. If you can determine the issue is your GRE, then raise your GRE scores. If the problem is your GPA, that is going to be harder to remedy. GPA is an indication of how well you do in classes and that is important for graduate committees because you have to make a B or better. If you can't do well in undergraduate classes, then they are going to suspect you are not going to do well in graduate classes. In that case, try to take some graduate classes, do extremely well in them, and mention that in the next cycle. Try to develop relationships with professors who will fight for you and explain away your shortcomings in the LOR. You may also need to apply to different schools the next time around. Some schools favor their own graduates. Some schools primarily only take in-state students. Some schools favor those with CSD majors. Some schools want extensive experience and research - other schools do not. Carefully research the schools, try as much as possible to choose places where your stats fit the admitted profile as determined by edfind and grad survey results, and hang in there. Twinguy7 did an excellent job of researching schools and finding schools that might overlook his GPA deficiencies. His method is a model for those who don't have the very best stats in the world.
  2. I am a professor at a liberal arts college and have a Ph.D. I've kept an eye on the SLP 2014 admissions (and speech results) thread to keep an eye on notifications (my daughter is applying this year). I saw this thread begin and I feel compelled to address it. Some graduate committee's think a GRE score is equivalent to an IQ test - they think that smarter students do better on the test and will more likely succeed in their program. Other committees are so inundated with applications that they they use the GRE as a way to handle the tide - with a cutoff score, the number of applications is reduced. ETS argues that the GRE predicts success in the first year of graduate school (success being defined as passing first year courses). I have had many many students go to graduate school. Some of my students had such low GRE scores that we looked for graduate schools in psych (masters programs) that did not require GRE scores. One student in particular had low 140's for both V & Q. She was admitted to St. John's (NYC) where she had a 3.75 gpa last semester and her professors love her. I had another student with very low scores who was admitted to a joint Ph.D./JD program and she is currentlly doing her post-doc. She succeeded beyond expectations. I've known students who took a year off to study for their GRE, had perfect scores, and dropped out of graduate school because they did not know how to persevere. I have not read any compelling research that shows that GRE scores predict grad school success (as defined by program completion), at least in the social sciences. One of the most important qualities for grad school success is perseverence. It is digging deep inside and moving forward when you want to give up. It is studying and studying and studying with determination. Grad school success is about stubborness (I will not give up), confidence (I can do this!), and hard work. Many people hit a wall in grad school (at least those who are going for their Ph.D.'s). Grad school success is climbing over the wall, not panicking because the wall is there and not giving up because the wall is too high. Regardless of my views of the GRE (I think it is way for ETS to make scads of money), it is a hoop that you have to jump through for most schools. Given that reality, study for it. If you don't make it in because of your GRE scores, get some books and work the problems. Do cross-word puzzles. Read. You CAN improve your scores, and you can improve them dramatically. Take practice tests. You can do it. I know you can. Best of luck to all of you.
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