phillyhed

Oh shoot! I totally forgot about it! I was hoping to ask some questions to current PhD students. I guess I can try to reach out to folks by email. I really need to be spending time on my SoP though rather than asking people questions!

I'm in a fairly similar boat. Graduated from undergrad in 2000, master's in 2001. Like you, I'm only applying to one school. I want to work with a specific person to do specific research. I'm hoping that the fact that I've been at my current employer for 10 years (in several positions) will show my commitment to the field and my ability to stick to something. Last year, the program only took 3 PhD students so I know it's a long shot but it is what it is. I worked my butt off for the GRE and managed to get a 156 quant which, while not good, is not a terrible score. My verbal score was excellent so I'm not concerned about that. My GRE is clearly the weakest part of my application so I'm hopeful that everything else is going to align. It's nerve wracking though.

I have anxiety issues too and seriously considered taking a xanax before the test but I wanted to be as sharp as possible. Instead, I very deliberately used deep breathing to help keep me calm and focused. I think the adrenaline helped me during the test. Of course, that's a personal choice but I wanted to share my experience.

My guess with the Power Prep score is that based on on your performance on the first "medium" quant section, you got the easier second section which does impact your scores, even if you get answers right. I had a pretty similar experience with my practice test scores before I took the GRE on Monday. Magoosh test- 2 weeks before test Q 149 ETS PP1- 1 week before test: Q 151 ETS PP2- 2 days before test: Q 150 (this is when I started to have a breakdown!) Magoosh test- 1 day before test: Q 154 Magoosh score estimate: Q 155-160 Actual test: Q 156 In the few days before the test, I watched videos for the two areas I hadn't covered yet-- Coordinate Geometry and Probability and I focused on doing as many problems as possible. When I got problems wrong, I watched Magoosh videos explaining the answers AND re-watched some of the review videos. The day before the test, I stopped doing work around 4 pm. I wasn't going to learn anything more at that point and I was making myself crazy. I watched a favorite show, ate a good dinner, hung out with my wife. I think that helped. I do think that the adrenaline on the day of the test helped me focus. In the second quant section, I clicked through a bunch of problems to see what was coming up and started to freak out a little. I took a few deep breaths and reminded myself to (1) make sure I understood what the question was asking and (2) avoid over-complicating things. I have a tendency to lean towards formulas and calculations rather than logic and estimation. There were at least two problems in the second math section that I was able to solve by slowing myself down and using logic. My goal was 50th percentile in math. I really didn't think I was going to get it. I was shocked when I saw my score. I haven't had a math class in 17 years! If you are anything like me, you can do it!

I'm going business casual. I'm a weird person to ask though because I basically wear a skirt or a dress every day anyway. 13 years of Catholic school ruined me for picking out outfits! Even after all these years, I'd rather throw on a dress than try to match things!

I've been enthralled by this thread so I'm happy to contribute my experience. A little context: I'm 37, was an English major in college, and am applying to PhD program in Higher Ed. I have only taken 1 math class in the past 20 years and that was 17 years ago! I studied for five weeks, mostly using Magoosh, along with the Manhattan 5 lb book. I focused almost exclusively on math, spending hours every day. I studied vocab using the Magoosh flashcards. Magoosh test- 2 weeks before test: V 161/ Q 149 ETS PP1- 1 week before test: V 158/ Q 151 ETS PP2- 2 days before test: V 165/ Q 150 (this is when I started to have a breakdown!) Magoosh test- 1 day before test: V 156/ Q 154 Magoosh score estimate: V 160-165 / Q 155-160 Actual test (today): V 166/ Q 156 I don't know why the verbal scores on my practice tests varied so wildly. I do think the adrenaline of the actual test helped.

I'm taking the GRE on Monday and have been using Magoosh for the past month. I'm not sure what happened but the prep I'm doing seems to have "clicked" in the past three days. I've watched most of the videos. Pretty sure I'm not going to be able to get through everything. I need to spend a little more time on Geometry, including watching the videos about slope, and a little time on probability but what has really helped me in the past few days is doing tons of problems. I was doing maybe 20 problems a day for the past month. For the past few days, I've been doing at least double that including Magoosh and the Manhattan 5 lb book and I think it's making a world of difference. Because I haven't taken a math class in 17 years (I know, I'm old!) I had to watch the videos because I hadn't seen the material in such a long time but my advice is to spend as much time as possible doing problems and, if you are using Magoosh, watching the answer videos, especially for those you get incorrect. Good luck!

It depends on the program. If you are applying for a master's program, you can definitely market your office assistant work and any student activities into a decent resume for a higher ed master's program. Don't under-sell yourself.

I'm looking forward to the event. I've read a bunch of Shaun Harper's stuff but haven't actually met him. Travelgirl, I got my master's from the HED division almost 15 years ago so the faculty is completely different from my master's degree studies. I wish I could offer some words of wisdom but everything has changed so much since my time there! What are you hoping to study, MonkeyonMyBack?

Wanted to start a Penn GSE thread for 2016. Any folks out there planning to apply? I'm applying for the PhD in Higher Ed. They only have 3 first year PhDs in the division this year so I know the application process is going to be very tough. Anyone going to the open house event on November 14?