neuropsych76

It really depends on your stats and what your ultimate career goal is. I'm guessing it's clinical psych? An MA can be helpful to make up for certain deficiencies. If you don't have enough research experience or psych classes than a MA can help if you do well there. However, if you didn't get in because you did poorly on the GRE but everything else is fine then an MA wouldn't be much help.

If it was optional and you didn't do well I wouldn't even put it as part of your application. Especially if you did really poorly. If you have a good psych GPA they might think the psych GRE score is an aberration but I don't see how it could help you.

Lol. I've actually heard of some programs in clinical psychology do that to applicants at interviews. They purposefully treat them bad to see how they react... I can't attest to this being true since I've only heard about it but the concept is frightening. I just submitted my very last application (yay!!) and I now have the fun process of waiting it out. I checked the results page and it seems I'll be waiting until late January at the earliest for the programs I applied to hear something.

I looked to my left. I immediately and fervently wished that I'd looked to my right. There was a large green tree. Its branches looked contorted from the wind, but there wasn't even a breeze. A single, luscious pear hung from the highest branch. Unfortunately for my starving stomach, the trunk of the tree was crawling with enormous spiders. Undaunted, I reached for the pear, and upon grazing it with my fingertips, it turned black, shriveled on the vine, and released a pungent cloud of milky smoke. "What the ...?!" - I thought and woke up. To my dismay, I discovered that the pungent cloud of milky smoke existed even in the waking world--at least, I reflected while pulling on my pants, the enormous spiders were gone. An old man puffing a hefty cigar stared over me and muttered coarsely, "it's time." I knew this was the moment I would have to pass the test and complete my training or else I would become a failure.

I get this all the time with psychology. The general public's perception of psychology is a combination of Freud, psychobabble, couches, and the perception that psychology is easy. It's interesting to note that when I tell people I'm applying to cognitive neuroscience programs or experimental psychology programs I get completely different responses even though they are the same thing for me.

I've gone through all the same questions as well! I hate when people say, "i'm sure you'll get in somewhere." but what else are they going to say? Most people wouldn't say well, since its so competitive, you might want to start looking to backup options. One comment that really bugged me from my parents: "Why are you applying to so many schools? Are you sure you're not just randomly picking schools?" Ah, I know they don't know much about this process but that was probably the most annoying for me.

I can relate to this topic as well. My parents don't really understand the graduate school application process. They think since I have a decent GPA I can just choose which program I want lol. As a side note, they want me to go somewhere close to home. But they don't get how hard it is to get in ANYWHERE let alone having the option to choose where. Like others have mentioned, they keep asking even though I told them I won't know until late February or March.

[quote name=hello! ' timestamp='1292987461' post='172058] You say you really pushed yourself... Do you think that perhaps you were too anxious this time around? You know -- the Yerkes-Dodson law.

This definitely seems to vary because several schools I'm applying to only have one spot for a GRE score. I emailed them and they said I could indeed put the highest scores. Since they will be getting both of your scores I don't think its a big deal if you put your highest if there is only one slot. But of course, it varies.

I believe you can "sign out" at any time during the test if you need to but you will cannot make this time up. I don't think you can check any notes during the test (obviously) but I would review last minute notes before you walk inside the testing center.

Yes, you can go to the bathroom during your break and drink water or eat during that time. I found it relaxing I think you get 4 pages of scrap paper (2 pages front and back) hope that helps, good luck!!

I hate to be "that guy" but I think the reason you have gotten a -3 rating and no replies is because your question lacks a lot of insight and it seems like you want others to do research for you. Have you tried looking at those colleges websites and seeing if they require, strongly recommend, or not require the subject GRE? Its unlikely an adcom member from those schools and departments will be on here ready to answer such a specific question. You seem to have good credentials and I'm sure you can conduct some great research if given the chance. However, lacking some basic understandings of the graduate school application process cannot be looked upon favorably.

I'd really like to know the percentage of those who get into Psychology PhD programs strait from undergrad opposed to those who take some time off. For me, almost everyone I met outside of my college suggested to take time off before applying. But everyone who knew me well at my school suggested I apply now. The research experience seems to be the most important factor in admissions. Thus, those taking time off are more likely to acquire more experience it seems.

That's awesome you got your first school invite! Congrats!!! Do you are anyone else know when it is common to start hearing back from programs? My deadlines range from December 1st to February 1st so I'm just curious when is a likely time to hear something about the status of my application. (Particularly the early deadline programs) Thank you.

I agree with the other posters. It sucks how much money ETS charges but its part of the process. I'm applying to 12 schools and only one specifically said that they don't need to see official GRE scores until after an offer has been made. I think that is an anomaly though.

I am waiting too, though the business of the end of the semester helps somewhat I only have one more application to turn in and a few more transcripts to mail and then all I have to do is wait! I compulsively check my email enough as it is; once all the apps are complete it will get even worse I'm sure

I agree on what everyone else has said Getting a good score on the psych GRE could really help your lack of psych courses like the previous post said. I know several people who have done this. I think if you gain some research over the next year or so and focus your interests you will be a strong applicant. Being a physics major will help. In the labs I've worked in, any sort of quantitative knowledge is looked upon very favorably. Even if its not a quantitatively focused lab. Best of luck!!

My girlfriend was in a similar situation as you. (almost identical scores, wanted to raise her Verbal) She ended up raising her verbal 50 points but her math went down 50. Fortunately, a lot of programs she is applying too just take the highest score. If this is the case for you, I think it takes off a lot of the pressure. When I retook the GRE I thought I bombed the quantitative section but I actually improved a lot. I think people generally do better the second time (even though I was sure I did worse on the Q) so I wouldn't worry about that if you have kept up your studying. I felt I was slightly more relaxed going into it because I knew what to expect. Good luck!!

Yeah I wasn't allowed to bring in anything either. Every 5 minutes (literally) a ETS employee walked into the testing room and checked that no one had anything they weren't supposed to. I drank some of an energy drink right before the test and finished it after the writing section during the 10 minute break. That worked well for me.

When I talked to a clinical faculty from a school that received 400+ applications he said he would look for my app even if my GRE score didnt make the "cut". That was really encouraging for me to hear coming from a clinical program. I changed my mind and decided to apply to cogneuro programs but since cogneuro programs have so many less applicants I have to think that even my average GRE score won't get me axed right away due to my contact. In sum, yes I feel as though for psychology programs talking with professors ahead of time can only help. (though it won't make up if someone is a lousy applicant ) Good luck!

This is so relieving to hear. Unfortunately, a few top schools will see my 520 because I sent it to them when I first took the test. Oh well. All it takes is one acceptance and all the stress during application season will be more than justified

This is definitely a part of it. The ironic part is that since social workers are cheaper and there are numerous research papers showing that there is no significant difference between education and success in therapy, I think that social workers will be in higher demand than psychologists in the future. Continuing with my off topic reply, clinical psychology as a whole is looking a bit bleak for the future unless clinical psychologists specialize in health or neuropsychology for example. The earnings for clinical psychologists are going down and even psychological assessment is receiving less money. Furthermore, those who get online PhD's or degrees from professional schools are flooding the market while offering questionable training. Anyway, the previous posters pretty much summed up what I would have said to the OP anyway The GRE is a nefarious test and it can remove otherwise qualified candidates from a large and competitive applicant pool.

Thank you very much for your replies! I was leaning towards just sending out the second scores but I wasn't sure. I just hope losing 40 verbal points won't hurt me much. I thought I was finally done with the GRE/ETS but they keep coming back to bother me!

Hello all, So I took the GRE in October and received a 580 V 520 Q 4.5 W I retook it this November and received a 540 V and 630 Q. ??W Unfortunately, I registered under a slightly different name the second time I registered (Jimmy and James, I go by both and I forgot what I put the first time). Because of this they won't let my combine score reports so I'd have to send out two score reports to have schools see my highest scores of 580 and 630. Is it worth fighting with ETS and trying to combine my score sheets? They said in an email it can't be done but I haven't called yet (can't get ahold of them due to thanksgiving). I'm applying for cognitive neuroscience programs and I know they value the Q more than the V but a lot of places look at the highest scores. Is it worth losing 40 points on verbal so schools never see my 520? Also, I already sent out one app that I just sent out my Nov scores (one of the 4 freebies) but on that app I put my two highest scores because I didn't know about this problem yet. Should I just email and tell them what happened or should I pay for the extra score sheet? Thank you for any input!!

But won't they still want the official score eventually?