schoolpsych_hopeful

I know we already talked through PM, but I wanted to respond here incase others are curious...


As long as you score about 1000 overall, you should be okay for Ed.S. programs. PhD programs would like to see a higher score, probably between 1100 and 1200.

I studied for about a month, at little everyday. I used the Princeton Review's book for general strategies (like process of elimination, etc). I used Barron's to study the verbal and math, their math review is really comprehensive.I also used the ETS Powerprep software to practice. That software gives the most accurate score of all of the practice tests out there.

The score I ended up getting was 600V/800Q, but don't let that scare you! Keep in mind that that score is a lot higher than any School Psych program would require or expect. I think my high score was mostly just good luck (that's higher than I got on any practice test).

Of course, remember that the GRE is not the be-all end-all of getting into grad school! Your other qualifications (GPA, essays, letters of rec, etc) are much more important. A deficit in one area can be made up with high performance in another.

Good for you for planning ahead! You're at a huge advantage by thinking about grad school this early.

I think most people take time of between grad school and undergrad to get more research experience if that area of their resume is lacking. Personally, I took time off because I wasn't really focused enough on one particular area to apply to grad school. It's not impossible for someone to be accepted straight out of undergrad.

Your credentials are impressive. Research and clinical work/volunteer experience are really important in a clinical application. I'd say you definitely have a chance to be admitted to a clinical program. This might feel far away, but start thinking about the GRE. Plan to take it next summer, when you aren't taking any classes. Give yourself lots of time to study, and study hard. Most clinical programs will want to see a score around 1300 combined.

When looking for schools to apply to, you should focus on research match. Apply to schools with faculty whose interests match yours. Talk to your thesis advisor and the grad students in your lab for advice on where to apply. "Fit" is much more important than program rank.

Warning: this is very emo and angsty and all that jazz. Read with the same empathy for people blowing little things out of proportion that you employed when you read poetry your friends posted on their LJs in high school. Thanks.

So I have my SOPs just about finished, except for the "fit" paragraphs in each one. And this is the hardest part.

I cannot make myself list out the reasons I want to go to each of these schools. It's not that the reasons don't exist, or that I don't know them. But I can't write them out. I won't--can't--allow myself to go to the department website and look up the names of the professors who specialize in my secondary field of interest, I can't go look up the proper name of [school]'s really cool manuscript collection, I can't...I can't allow myself to dream. Because I knew, I knew that as soon as I started to write these paragraphs, I would get my hopes up.

I can't do that. Not when the program accepts one person per field, or accepts only 10% of the people who apply and even then not everyone gets funding. I don't want to go into personal details, but suffice to say that when applying to undergrad, I was accepted to my dream school early in the year only to be rejected in the summer through no fault of my own (truly; it's...complicated), and I know how devastated I was. I let myself dream, I let myself fantasize, and I got completely destroyed. I do not have the emotional strength to go through that again. When I applied for M.A.s, I very purposefully did not apply to my dream program, because I knew I couldn't handle a rejection.

Last night, when I was finally starting this part, I told myself I could keep it objective, that I could separate myself from this. But I can't. I can feel the hope and the excitement rising, and, well, DO NOT WANT.

...But...if I can't get through these @$!& paragraphs, I have zero chance at these schools. And a Ph.D is something I very much do want.

Do any of you have the same or similar feelings? How did you get past them?

How do I get rid of the hope?

All of the schools I'm applying to specified that the essay should be double-spaced, and I'm pretty sure that's the norm. Also, 12pt Times New Roman font is standard. I decreased the font to 11.5 on one essay and I'm hoping that they're okay with that (it's barely noticeable, and I had to get those extra couple sentences onto the second page). Most of the schools also gave instructions on what to include at the top of the essay--usually "Statement of Purpose" or "Personal Statement", along with your name and university ID, if known.

In the first page header of all my essays I wrote (aligned left):

Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement (depending on what the school calls it)
Jane F. Doe
Program name

In subsequent page headers I wrote (aligned right):

Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement
Jane F. Doe
Page X of Y

That way if pages get reshuffled they'll know what document it belongs to, whose essay it is, and how to put it all back together.

@rs_nucl, are you applying for Spring 2011 or Fall 2011?
Pls, I applied for master program in petroleum engineering for spring 2011 and i was wondering what period i should start receiving responses (Acceptance/Rejection/Waiting) from the schools? Early/Mid/late October or November? Any idea?
I am an international student with BSc in petroleum engineering.

Firstly, don't panic! I think what is useful to remember is that they are not looking for someone who is an expert in the field, but rather someone who is inquisitive, so don't be afraid of asking a silly question. I met with a prof last month and he encouraged me to ask him questions via email about the literature in the field and he told me I could ask anything basically, so we could both get an idea of how we think. That said, you don't want to ask a question just for the sake of asking a question. Maybe what you could do is reply by email and thank him for offering to take your questions and let him know that you will be in touch. Then take a week or so and read up on his work and the program at that school and make a note of questions you may come across. Then you call him, remind him of your email discussion and just ask him about those questions if he has the time. Hope it goes well!

It'd be hilarious if the phrasing of your acceptance would get you rejected

All of the test prep company CATs (Kaplan, Princeton Review, Barron's) are going to be harder than the real thing. They have a very strong incentive to make you think you are worse than you really are (so you will buy more books). The Powerprep software will give you the most accurate score/level of difficulty.

Frankly, it doesn't sound like you're ready to apply to graduate school right now.

You need to know what sub-area you are interested in; very likely, you'll need to have some research experience before you apply, or otherwise you'll need to be very convincing when you explain how you chose your specialty and why you are sure that it's right for you. An applicant with no experience, low grades and an unconvincing background will be very risky for a department to admit. If you change your mind about your interests (which I think is very likely, given your posts here), the department will have lost the time and money it invested in you. A PhD is not something you enter into lightly, and without the necessary experience it seems like that's what you're doing. The best way to zero in on an area of interest is to do research in that area. Start by reviewing the classes you've taken - maybe also consider taking more classes - which of them interested you the most? Did you write papers for any of your classes? which would you like to follow up on? can you get involved in an existing project at your university as a research assistant? can you do some guided research, even as a volunteer for no pay or credit? those are all ways to get more familiar with specific topics in different subfields of psychology.

Really, you shouldn't be applying before you have much narrower interests than you seem to have right now. If for no other reason, then because right now you won't be able to choose the right programs to apply to. You need to know what sort of problems you want to research so you can apply to schools that have good mentors who could guide your work on those problems. You'd also benefit from reading a bit more about the application requirements on different departments' websites. Make sure that you have the required qualifications (e.g. stats, advanced seminars or whatnot). I'd seriously suggest that you consider taking next year off to improve your application; then apply in the next admissions cycle, not in the current one.

There is no way that I know of to transfer out of a Spanish PhD program (or Masters, it doesn't matter) to a psychology PhD program. What qualifications or classes would be transferable? At most, you will have acquired some useful research skills, but it seems to me that psychology programs and Spanish programs train students to achieve very different goals using very different methods. I doubt a Masters in Spanish will enhance your application to psych programs, though certainly it won't hurt. I think you need to worry less about your GPA, though it is a weakness, and worry more about your current lack of direction - which is a much bigger weakness.

What do you think the prospects are like for an international student getting into a top-tier polisci program these days?
Recently heard it's getting next to impossible especially with an undergraduate degree from a lesser-known international institution.
My friend flung this in my face yesterday, trying to persuade me to get a job rather than apply.
I would appreciate if you could give your input. Thanks in advance.

I agree, do some practice problems in the morning, just a handful or so. I forget where I read this, but someone made the point that you don't want the first GRE problems you do that day to actually count.

Hi KitKat,

Once again I must agree with newms ... consider this ... even I, a liberal arts guy who hasn't taken a math course since 1971 (no lie! look at my age in my profile) also squeaked a 670 once, and 690 another time .... if I can do that, then a serious scientist ought to be able to do better.

Sorry to put it in what may appear to be harsh terms, but it's a very very competitive world you're trying to break into

Good luck!
John

Clinical Psych programs are so so SO competitive. I think the average applicant scores around 1300 combined. If you apply to clinical programs, you definitely need to retake. Your profile is strong, and your research/GPA should absolutely compensate for the GRE score. The problem is that when a program receives 300 applications (which many clinical programs do) they have to eliminate some right off the bat. That initial elimination is usually by GRE score. Sorry to say it , but if you want your application to be seriously looked at by a clinical Adcom, you need to have a higher GRE score (at least 1200-1250).

I've always been surprised that Johns Hopkins ranks so high in education.

I can't speak too strongly -- all my information about the education school is second-hand. I live in Baltimore and love the University. I'm going there to start a PhD next year to study social science stuff, with a focus on education.

I'm surprised because I currently teach in Maryland, and I have never met a single teacher who has walked in and out of that building and left with a positive opinion. Unanimously, every person I ever have talked to has mentioned that the classes lack rigor and are unhelpful to their teaching. My old roommate felt so strongly he quit his all expenses paid master's program. Since the program focuses so much on practitioners, and not academic research, this worries me doubly.

My guess is that three things push up its rank: 1) its close relationship with the business school (I feel like USNEWS eats that stuff up); 2) its participation in the IES predoctoral program (even though it seems like other departments really carry the work); and 3) the center for social organization of schools, which is sponsored by the university.

My feeling is you can do a hell of a job studying education in departments like economics and sociology at Hopkins, but the research programs in the Ed School are, I've heard, lacking.

Hope I'm wrong!

Yesterday, I received this (via email) from a school:



And in my very finite patience for stupidity and people wasting my time/etc, I wisely (and childishly) replied:



Result:
I got an email first thing in the morning:
Apparently the person who I replied forwarded the email to the department (CC'ed me).

I don't even know why I sent that email...I just felt that it was really stupid of anyone to actually send a rejection letter a month into the semester for which a student applied. I am definitely not going to said school/applying there for anything. It's a shame because the school is literally about 20minutes from where i did my undergrad...they may start negatively viewing applicants from my school...
Anyway, done is done...what possible outcomes could come out of this? how much overboard do you feel I went? (if that was correct english lol)

Hi Everyone,

I love Political Science and would like to get into a graduate program in Political Economy. Can you evalute my profile and give me suggestions on how to improve my application?

Education:

Bachelors:
Started: University of Wisconsin Madison, Economics, GPA: 3.9/4.0
Transfered to Georgetown University School of Foreign Service
Graduated: BS, Georgetown University International Political Economy (IPE), GPA 3.74/4.00,
Honors Thesis In IPE
Topic: Econometric model analyzing rioting
(graduated in three years)

Masters:
London School of Economics
MSc Applicable Mathematics
Focused in Game Theory...Distinction in Games of Incomplete Information, High Merit in Game Theory
Awaiting Full Results: Probably graduate with a Merit or High Merit
Dissertation Topic: A mathematical approach to analyzing political simulation games
-Using game theory concepts to analyze electoral algorithms (thinking of using this for writing sample...good idea??...it is quite mathematical)

GRE:

I have taken the GRE twice. The first time I did poorly in writing so I decided to take it again. The second time I focused only in writing and did much worse in everything else...should I take the GRE again or would it look bad? Do they take my highest score in each subsection?

1) My first attempt: 760Q, 620V, 3.5A,
2) My second attempt: 670Q, 580V, 5.0A

Personal Statement:

I would like to write about dyslexia, and some of my research ideas in political economy.

Letters of Rec:

Letters good from not very well known in political science, but well known in other fields, i.e. mathematical game theory, economics....

Original Research:

Only my senior thesis and my master's dissertation, no published papers



I would like to know if I have a chance at the top 6 programs, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Berkeley etc...and if not, how to improve my chances at the top programs...

I would also recommend the APA's guide book. There is also an online companion that is searchable, but is only accessible with a paid subscription: http://psycinfo.apa.org/gradstudy/?action=info. Your school may have already purchased a subscription, mine has one that all Psych students can use. Check with your academic affairs office.

It's really great that you're starting early! The best advice I can give you is to get as much research experience as possible, and talk to your professors about programs they would recommend.

Mine was an identified verbal section. I skipped it, but I did glance at the first question. It was a sentence completion question, with ticky boxes instead of buttons. The directions said to pick TWO words that could fit in the blank. Tricky...

I worked 15-30 hours per week at a coffee shop during college. While it won't really help me for graduate school, it showed my ability to balance school/life for employers after i graduated. I was able to get a really awesome job as a paid research assistant after graduating because i had work experience. If you are planning on going straight to grad school, then it probably isn't helpful.

However if not working means you'll be stuck with tons of debt, maybe you should consider taking an extra year before applying. If you can't find paid work as a research assistant, you'll probably still be able to get research experience by volunteering in lab, and continue to work to pay bills. Then you can apply to grad school and say "look how awesome and responsible I am, I can go to school, work, and have research experience!"

Just some food for thought.

It’s a cliche, but it’s true: Timing is everything.

In business: Did you buy or sell when the price peaked? In relationships: Did you meet a guy just when he was getting out of a long-term relationship? In science: Did you publish an article on the heels of similar research?

The GMAT is no different. Timing — and an understanding of how best to pace yourself on the test — can potentially impact your score by up to 100 points. Here’s how to make sure you’re a master of timing on the Reading Comp section.

Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs) have time constraints beyond what you may be used to from taking other standardized tests. Namely:

* You can’t go back. If you finish a section early you cannot return to previous questions to double check your answer.
* You can’t skip a question and plan to return to it later. You have to pick an answer choice (or guess) and move right along.
* You are penalized more for unanswered questions than for questions you get wrong.

For many test-takers, the clock in the corner of the screen is a constant source of concern while taking the GMAT. “How much time should I spend on this question? At what point should I just guess and move on? How much time can be sacrificed per question if it means getting the right answer?”

Don’t let stress over the clock have a negative impact on your confidence or your GMAT score! You do not want the time crunch to take focus away from answering the questions correctly.

Consistently practicing time management skills will allow you to become more comfortable with this aspect of the test and refocus your energy on reasoning skills necessary to pick the correct answer choice.

At Knewton we recommend spending around 6 minutes on a reading comprehension passage with 3 questions, and around 8 minutes on a passage with 4 questions.

In 2-3 minutes you need to read the passage carefully, absorb the information, and take notes.

During your GMAT prep, put yourself on the clock. Start getting used to reading a passage in 2 minutes (if the passage is between 25 and 40 lines) or 3 minutes (if the passage is more than 40 lines). After your time is up, force yourself to move on to the questions. For each question, time yourself once again. After 1 minute 30 seconds has passed, force yourself to choose an answer, even if you’re guessing.

While practicing pacing skills, you can return to the questions later and see if you would choose the same answer if you had unlimited time. As you continue to practice, the answers you choose in the time constraint situation should more and more begin to mirror what you would choose if allowed unlimited time.

My high school basketball coach used to say, “Practice makes permanent.” Why didn’t he say “Practice makes perfect?” If you continue to practice for the GMAT without forcing yourself to pay attention to time constraints, you may get really good at answering questions — you might even get close to perfect. But you would be practicing wrong! “Practice, Practice, Practice” only works if you are practicing the right way. And on the GMAT, time matters!

Start getting used to spending 6-8 minutes reading and answering questions for a passage and it will become easier to work with the time you have without feeling pressured.

One more note: be mindful not to focus exclusively on pacing too early in your study preparation. First, focus on developing the skills necessary to pick the right answer in the Reading Comprehension section. Then, practice applying these skills in a timed environment.

No offence, my first suggestion is to calm down and get rid of the attitude. Your disdain for your professors and fellow students pervades each post and I'm sure they can sense it in person. If you were this hysterical and arrogant in the Dean's office then it's no wonder she kicked you out.

If I can interpret what you're saying, it's that your program was supposed to be 15 months but you've been there for three years due to bureaucratic delays. Why have you put up with this for so long? Does every student take three years to finish?

My suggestions are:

(1) Organize your fellow students (if you haven't already alienated them) and work up a group statement. Request that faculty meet with your group, then move up the hierarchy in sequence. The administration is more likely to respond to a collective concern. Consider going to the media.

(2) Failing that, get the heck out and find another program that is organized enough to graduate students in a timely fashion.


(By the way, it's spelled "imbecile", something you should know with your apparently stratospheric IQ and "strive".)

You put both because you did the work at the former institution but you are currently at the present one as well. Authors can have multiple affiliations.

Folks,

Took my GRE few days ago and got a 1570. 800Q+770V (Awaiting Writing).
I would like to share my experience with y'all:

Preparation Time - 1.5 Month (APPROX)

Coaching- Self+ Online

BOOKS & Software-
GRE Barrons
GRE Big Book
Princeton Review (Only last few days)
Powerprep from GRE website


Websites-
www.number2.com (Great for vocab practice)
www.missiongre.com (Excellent essay evaluation dirt cheap and admission counseling tools)
www.greguide.com (Occasional Practice)


Profile-

BS-CS -university of tennessee -knoxville
GPA- 4.0
One Project at NASA
Internship at Lockheed Martin
Expecting excellent recos

Let me know if there are questions

I am pretty sure most if not all grad schools require LOR's. They have to rely on some outside form of evaluation about you besides your grades, GRE scores, and your SOP. I have honestly never heard of a school that does not require one. I'm sure it would look really bad if you didn't submit one even if they are not required.