schoolpsych_hopeful

student loan

ceiling fan

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world wide

gladiator arena (tough one!)

Thank you tkskinner!! I think that was the push I needed. I just e-mailed all three of my potential letter writers, and one already e-mailed back saying yes! I think maybe I was putting it off because now it's sort of official that I'm applying, if that makes sense. No turning back now...

hail storm

I'm curious as to when people typically ask professors to write letters of recommendation. In my mind, I'd like to wait until I have my final list of schools to which I'll be applying in hand. That way I can give my letter writers the specifics for each school not long after I ask (probably in early/mid-September). But now I'm starting to worry that that might be too late. When do you guys plan to ask your letter writers? Have you asked already?

I may be wrong, but I think this varies from school to school. Some average the two (or more) scores, others accept the highest one. I would check with the departments you're planning on applying to and see what their policy is.

stand down

time out

Also, you may find this thread helpful:

I've been doing this, and I've gotten some fairly positive responses. Basically I say that I'm applying to their school next year and interested in their research x, y, and z. I also ask if they will be accepting new students. This is helpful both because I can find out if it's worth applying, and it sort of makes the e-mail a bit more than a "Hi, I think you're really great." It also gives them more incentive to e-mail me back, because I did ask a genuine question. I recommend e-mailing professors you'd be interested in working with, but keep it short. No more that one or two short paragraphs should suffice.

I agree with the above posters: your awesome verbal score should set off the not-so-great AW score. I think most schools don't even really care about the AW score. I absolutely do NOT think you should take the GRE again. What you could do is have ETS re-evaluate your writing assessment (http://www.manhattanreview.com/gre-score-faq/#faq10). It cost $55, but if might be worth it if your score goes up after being read by different graders.

Hi Matt, It definitely seems like the Specialist degree (Ed.S) would be more in line with your goals than a Ph.D. The specialist degree is much less research focused than a Ph.D. The programs are typically two years of course work, with some work in the schools, followed by a one year internship. Most school psychologist working in the schools have the Ed.S. degree. Ph.Ds in school psych are spread across schools, private practice and universities. As for attending a program that isn't NASP certified, I would probably advised against it. It's my understanding that while it isn't impossible to become licensed after attending a non-NASP program, it's certainly more difficult. NASP's website has a list of certification requirements by state that you may find useful: http://www.nasponline.org/certification/state_info_list.aspx I think only you can decide whether or not it would be worth it to switch to school psych, being so close to your MFT licence. School psychologists do a lot of assessment and very little counseling. Of course, this varies by school district, but I think that therapy is typically left up to social workers and counselors. If you're willing to let go of that part of your training, as well as spend three more years in school, then it may be the right move for you. Hope that helps