TheDude

First, I'm making the assumption that "The Big Book" only consists of verbal tests and nothing more, since that all the download I found has. Second, I'm making the assumption that you can't get a recent version because it seems as if none are to be had on the net. Two Questions: 1) Does the verbal section still resemble the recent GRE? 2) How do you score these? I imagine I could standardize the 38 questions into the proper distribution, but right not I was just hoping someone knew of a link that would help. For now I found a 40 question GRE-type test that has been properly standardized (http://www.west.net/~stewart/gre/score_v.htm) and I am just adding two to my big book score for encouragement. Why? Big Book only has 38 questions so I'll assume the 2 missing fall within the 50%ile rank and I would have had them correct. Thanks

We are all in the midst of studying for GREs and picking programs we'd like to attend. Let's keep each other posted as the whole progress moves forward. It'll give us a common place to commiserate when the nail chewing and sleepless nights come. ME: -In the midst of publishing and studying for the GRE. I hate these things. I've bought the Barron's math workbook and can get through massive chunks of it in a day or two. I'm hoping by just reading and trying problems repeatedly I can get my Quants in the 700s. -Getting a list of schools finalized. I think I have most of them. Concentration: Educational Psych, Applied Developmental and Developmental. My research interests kind of intersect amongst the three sub-fields. On the docket: Studying for the GRE every day for hours till my eyes get sour and then apologizing to my friends profusely for not being available. I can't mess this up, especially given I didn't apply last round when I could have, and I'm hoping with time they'll understand. It just feels like I can't experience summer because when I go somewhere 2 hours turns into 6 and then I am home at 10 with manuscript work to do and my GRE study gets pushed to the late hours when my eyes are doing their own thing. Nevertheless, I'm so excited this process has finally started. I'm secretly hoping I get in somewhere by next spring and can move on to this new phase in my life ASAP(I don't want to have to wait until next summer to move). I've been ready. Let's keep a log going!!!!!!!

People have been admitted to clinical programs with lesser stats than yours...just read threads from last year. The one thing that puts them over the edge is research! If you don't test well you have to be able to make up for it with legitimate means in the other parts of the application. Look, the GRE is my worry. I ace school tests in the hardest classes, but these standardized tests just always have scared the bejesus out of me!!! I'm studying and taking mid or late September. I'm hoping that will be it and I won't have to cram one more round. You've got your GRE's done really early and have plenty of time to improve. Get on a publication if you can, but be weary if you haven't been involved with a project and you go to a professor 3.5 months before crunch time starts asking if you can get your name on a publication it might be taken the wrong way. Conferences for work you have done are key get them!! Keep you're head up!!!!!

I was thinking of planning for grad school for a couple years now. So what's the point? I asked this same kind of thing in the past. I was basically told that unless your job was related to the kind of research you'd be doing and your particular field than this was pointless: When I say related I don't mean distant either. Academia is a closed feudal system and I guess that is just how it is. But look...if you don't have a third person add it. I should mention some programs allow letters from employers above the 3 minimum.

I know. The problem is this place is like a clearing house once people get accepted. Some of them will come back and post but many will just fade off into the hustle and bustle of grad school. If you do thread searches you'll find lots of this kind of stuff. The big thing I noticed, which was obvious, was once you meet a programs minimum requirements (often listed on their site) you are almost assured your application gets looked at. From that point it is about the intangibles like your research experience and fit with a program's research program. When you are targeting schools keep that in mind over what is the top program. I think in a bad economy with applicants up and funding down you play your best hand that way.

I've followed this for a year. I am applying to Ph.D., Educational Psych programs. I think inevitably the kinds of programs we both apply to will be comparable, at least from what I have gathered from past threads. My personality is antithetical to the, "let's square up" mindset that will no doubt permeate this place in a few months....but you asked. GPA (Maj/Psych): 3.59 (Cum laude), 3.79 Psych 3.9 last 2 years Research: 3 years research heavy involvement on all levels (i.e., not just a data collector) 2600$ fellowship for independent research study 2 symposium lectures at college for research completed 4 conferences with 4 posters first author (3 regional, 1 national)...maybe a biannual global conference if it pans out in time for CV. 1 paper definitely in route for publication (peer-reviewed in respected journal), co authored, listed second because I don't own the lab! Did all the work, a lot of the stat analyses, a lot of the writing of the manuscript and designed the study scheme. 2nd paper idea is within site of being written by September or October. I'd call it highly probable. *new research idea that is unique in the literature with a unique analyses, probably not going to get this done when the application process picks up, but it will give me lots of great interview ideas. LoR: 2 professors asked me if they could write me a letter so those will be great. The last one will be from the department chair...historically hard class that I aced. This will be a so so letter. GRE: Unknown. I expect this to be the weakest part of my application. I'm studying like mad, but also working a job and doing research. I expect to make program cut offs at 1200, but I'm not expecting to have a 1400 or 1500 score. I think my overall GPA is a little low compared to those who applied to top programs. I was a major in the arts and have some questionable scores in things like "big band arranging!" I think I'll be able to explain those away. I think my grade trends are where they need to be. My research experience is solid and seems to be above and beyond what I saw from most posting here last year. My GRE is the wild card. I took a year off from school to finish research. I am constantly thinking the test is the theoretical "end game" for me. So I'm psyching myself out in advance. I expect to be above cut offs, but nothing stellar. I think I have enough other things in my CV to make up for it....especially if I target great fits. Other quirks...I'm not Psi Chi because I think it is a rip off and I didn't do any clubs other than psych club for a year. Hope that helps. I know it wasn't exactly what you asked for but I tried to put it within the context of what I saw here last year.

Who chats with you more and seems generally interested to see you and catch up? I'm not being facetious, but you're more apt to get better letters from that person than trying to build some kind of continuity with all 3. I've heard you need a stellar letter, a great letter than a cursory third letter.

It's probably not a shock to anyone here, but it is in the publisher's interest to keep their diagnostic tests harder than PowerPrep and the real test. Let's assume you used Barron's as a means for studying, take their diagnostic tests, and find yourself scoring low. When you write the actual GRE, which has been noted is adaptive and easier then the prep materials, you're shocked you scored way higher. Then you come on these forums months later replying to people about to take the GRE in regards to what the best preparation materials are and tout Barron's as the be all end all. I've taken all the exercise questions (minus the 2 practice tests) with power prep and I have found every aspect of them to be easier then everything in my Barron and Kaplan books. For instance, with analogies and antonym questions I consistently received 60-70% correct. I wrote the first diagnostic verbal test in Barron's GRE book from 2 years ago. I nailed almost all the sentence completion and reading comprehension but missed almost all my antonym and analogy questions. I had never heard of most of the words. *I will say that after just a week of studying Kaplan's 500 most common word flash cards I find my cursory review of GRE verbal sections in the Big Book to be ringing with a lot more mental "I know those words." Don't freak just study. Maybe I'm just hoping

Thanks so much. I guess I just wanted to hear that upping the Verbal score was possible. Like I mentioned it was 2 am when I took that. I forgot to mention that I have used the Power Prep software practice questions for antonyms and analogies, I always get over 60% of those. It isn't great, but it certainly isn't reflective of the 400 something score. I found the Big Book online for download which doesn't have any Quant, but does have a slew of Verbal tests. I am going to retake in the morning tomorrow to get a better barometer of where my verbal is at without study. I also picked up the Kaplan GRE Vocab app for the iPhone, which is essentially flash cards of synonyms, word usage and definitions for 500 of the most used words. That should make things more efficient. I did 2 practice sentence completion and reading comprehension sets in the Barron's book today- 20 questions each. In reading Comp I hit about 16/20 and in sentence completion I had a 19/20 on both. I don't think that is my weaknesses, so I will focus on the vocab. I am not worried about the Quant at all. Like I said I didn't finish the test because I basically fell asleep at my desk. I had a little over half the questions for Quant answered and had a 480. I finished it out this afternoon and had mid 600s, but it was an easier Quant section that didn't have probability and my other weaknesses. I am barely done my math review...so I think I can pull a 700 out of that by just taking test after test. It seriously wasn't the ideal condition to whimsically think "Gee, it is 2 am let's do some GRE questions from the test and see where I am at." I told myself I was going to be more disciplined about review until July before I really tried a full test. Thanks so much for your advice. I will hit the flash cards hard.

Hi Everyone, I am signing up to take the GRE for 2011 application dates around the middle of September. I've been really afraid to take a real Practice GRE in full. Why? Primarily, because I hadn't taken any math, aside from Behavioral Statics, in 6 years. I know I need to heavily review all of the math concepts and any practice test would be silly. I've also been working REALLY hard on getting my manuscript published before fall as that seems to be the biggest thing I should focus on for grad school. Thusly, I haven't even looking at much of the verbal section. I have been studying math frequently every day and every week in June. I am half way done my full math review. Well, last night I had the brilliant idea at 2 am that I should just try some questions from a practice test for the verbal section. I did that whole portion of the test. My score was atrocious... in the 400's! I barely knew many of the words, and if it wasn't for the reading comprehension and sentence completion I'd have been even worse! So at that point I started thinking, "Maybe I'm just dumb...let's take some math questions." I took half the math section and quit because my eyes were shutting. I did pretty well on half the questions I answered- "480." To conclude I don't feel like the math section will be a lot to worry about if I keep doing what I'm doing. However, I vastly underestimated the verbal section. It should be noted this was a Barron's test. I knew I'd need to practice AW and practice reading comprehension, but trying to memorize 3500 words just seemed like the most inefficient use of time. So now what? I still haven't taken my Official practice test where I have reviewed all my math and started to review Verbal. I am going to give myself to the end of July and pick my studying up from 2 hours a day to 4 hours a day. I figure by then I'll really know my math weaknesses and can target them through August and September. Verbal will just have to be a continual thing. I am shooting to get a 500 something in Verbal and a 700 something in quant. I'm not far off from that in quant, if I keep in mind I only did half the questions. If I'm being really honest I'd love to get in the 600s for the verbal section. Did anyone else have a fear of when they should take the practice test on official grounds keeping in mind you had not had math in years and needed to review it all? Is this plan reasonable? Are the vocab lists essential...did they show up on the test? Should I just target reading comprehension? THe very first GRE question you wrote...were your first scores atrocious and did you see improvement? I am talking pre you taking a course or doing a book then taking a practice tests. When you were in the "let's get a feel for it" stage. Lastly, when is the latest I can take the GRE if I am applying in DEC/JAN? I want my official list of schools in hand and for those institutions to be open to accept new applications so I don't waste my free fee waivers on sending my scores to schools. I'd like to know if I still suck in September I could have 1 more month to raise scores if something goes wrong. Looking for inspiration.

All things being equal between two applicants I'd hedge with you and the school name, but as mentioned above a lot of the smaller schools, including the one I went to, allow for more individualized attention between advisors and students, which I think shows in the quality of the research one is allowed to do. So in the end I bet it doesn't matter as much as people from those institutions think it does, and as much as those outside of institutions think it does. Everyone applying this round is going to have good stats and from there it is about what you did with research, IMO I also don't think whether or not one's perception of how weighted their GPA is from their undergraduate institution matters, maybe every once in a while but for that to be the norm would be wierd. How much more arduous would the admissions process be if that information needed to be obtained or explained on the part of every applicant? In the end isn't the data just normative and one assumes so with the GPA? If we really want to go that far, I had a professor who historically only hands out one A in every class he teachers- I got a B+. Should that be explained in my statement of purpose? You can really go crazy with this stuff. In the end it is about what you did.

Good to know. I'll have finished a huge research project while I'm in the midst of waiting to hear back/hearing back from programs. I could always hang around and make more money, but I'm kind of wishing I didn't put this off a year, though I know I'll be better for it.... just really chomping at the bit to not loose momentum with work output. B

I wouldn't sweat it. College is expensive and there is this illusion that floats around in guidance offices at high schools that "everyone can go where they want, there will be money for you everywhere and it will all work out." Then you 4-5 years later you graduate with tens of thousands of dollars in debt and wonder if you can even financially swing going to graduate school. you are being pragmatic. Now if you need research experience for your prospective field- most kids don't know the first 2 years of school they want to be involved with that. In fact, I'd think it rather odd that a freshman just started doing research and didn't experience anything else outside of class for extracurriculars. It is going to be what you do with that time. So when you do transfer if you do need that kind of experience find a way to work your way up and make it count. In my experience most professors are really happy and surprised to have competent youngsters eager to get involved with all aspects of research. Tell them up front you know you have to do the basics, but you want to work your way up to whatever possible. Bottom line, Don't worry... your mother is smart. Also, be receptive to the fact things change as you age. Just in my own life from the age of 18-20 I changed immensely and evolved so much as a person. Lastly, there has to be a reason you want to go to grad school. I have had friends in love with the idea of higher education and being "more educated" than the rest, only to find they couldn't write out 3 reasons why they wanted to go to graduate school.

From my experience he's what I'd roll with: I don't think your GPA is that bad for Ph.D programs. Mine fell to a 3.58 overall upon graduation...now over the last 2 years and as a factor of my psych major it is way higher (3.8). I knew my GPA wasn't going to not get my application looked at this round of applications, but I knew it certainly wasn't going to distinguish me above other undergrads so I decided not to apply. Instead, I focused on my research, netted a few first author poster presentations, a fellowship to fund a project, and currently publishing manuscript 1 with a second on the way- both first author. I think the research experience is key in getting spotted by recruiters. I'd look to try and present somewhere... the the very least some regional or local professional conferences in the next season. There is plenty of time to do this before applications are due. Also, what was your involvement in the lab? Did you just do data entry and running of subjects with the 3 years or something more? That is certainly a vert notable amount of time to be participating in research. I know not everyone publishes, but lots of applicants will have, at the very least, some kind of presentation. Also, what were the break downs with your GRE... was your Quant low? If so I'd study my arse off all summer to raise those, but you are above the threshold. In fact, for all programs I have looked at your stats meet the requirements so IMO it was either a fluke you didn't get interviews or what not, you didn't apply to enough places, your schools were too much of a reach, or your research experience in the 3 years has been thin... but that would be surprising after 3 years because I know some kids who were admitted to programs with "research" experience that was a farce. That is my take....I'd certainly go at this again next round. Keep in mind the clinical programs are way harder to get into than experimental programs. I know a kid here who got some good offers from Ph.D experimental programs, but whose heart was in clinical and ended up taking a non-funded offer at a Ph.D program somewhere...had rock star stats and a publication. Sometimes it is a fluke and sometimes it is about fit. From what all professors tell me is once you meet the requisite stats the only thing that really sets you above everyone else is a publication, and if you don't have that flukey things can happen. Apply to more schools and keep your head up. Wait just reread and notices I got 3 years from some where else: what was your research experience exactly?

Thanks y'all. For better or worse I think the best bet for research would be to stick within the bubble of material under which I have been trained. I think in a time where funding is tight everywhere and grad school applications are up I maximize my value to potential programs- and to be frank I really don't mind the type of research that much. It is niche work, but not to niche that I wouldn't have potential to dabble in other realms of the field. While I have everyone's ears: Is there a potential if you are not in school and you are accepted that a program would have you move their early to start work in a lab or is that quite rare?

It's all good just playing with ya.

Where I can I find those fake jobs? It would be nice to grab one of those to supplement my real jobs. Just playing with ya

In addition to classes and research studies I started a small business... a music studio to be exact. I teach music lessons privately (30 or more people a week), teach several adult education classes for musical enrichment throughout the year and do youth outreach with music ensembles in rec centers in nearby communities. If I get the bug I dabble with session recording or gigging corporate events, but that doesn't pay anything anymore. The recession didn't kill what I did, in fact I managed to grow my clientele. I think I just lucked out though. Everyone keeps telling me in the Psych thread none of this applies when I go to send applications to Ph.D programs, but I've been teaching for years. I've been on the fringe of school systems (rec centers and adult education) but not in one- so somehow that doesn't transfer to applied/educational programs, which irks me to no end. I also think running a small business was invaluable in supplementing research projects. Lots of organizing, people skills, marketing, followup paper work. Lots of the skills closely paralleled what it takes to get a study off the ground and recruit participants, manage fellowship money, etc. I am going to miss a lot of this, but I don't find it particularly challenging anymore. If I have time in grad school I wouldn't mind continuing to teach a little bit, but I can imagine that is doubtful. FYI: I did my fair share of drudgery in retail and construction/ manual labor before all this when I first started college and through high school.

Hey Everyone, I am not in graduate school as of yet, but I am and Undergrad who has been heavily involved in my own research... serious enough to be publishing. Consequently, I think my input isn't easily dismissed and might be directly applicable to you. I have the 16 gig iPad with WiFi and it has exceeded my every expectation. 1) Typing was the one of my biggest concerns. Within a week I was typing fast enough where taking copious notes in lectures wasn't an issue. At this point I feel like I am typing just as I do on my Macbook. If you wanted to attach the keyboard doc to it you could, but it just seems antithetical to the point of having a tablet. 2) The publication process is much easier with this. No more awkward positions with my Macbook or hauling it to coffee shops to read articles in PDF forms. I can't tell you how many times I've fallen a sleep with my macbook just hanging off the edge of my bed as I spent the previous night reading articles into the wee hours of the morning while trying to get comfortable. I find that whole process much easier to do, especially when using Papers. I can manage article databases and make notes on them that are easily shared electronically making manuscript write ups much easier. Yes, you could do this on a macbook too, but my main interest in having this device was ease of portability. 3) you can transfer data easily. I have some working databases in excel format on my iPad and it transfers to my Mac easy. The App cost 9 bucks. Apple does control the means for how this happens and the route it takes, but it isn't impossible to wrap your head around. Plug in and manage it that way or transfer it on your wifi network. 4) I have had no wifi issues like some who have complained. Been at a few universities and no issues. 5) Some apps aren't quite ready for prime time, but updates have fixed this easily. 6) Maybe the battery issue is legit, but I have never replaced internal batteries on any of my portable apple products. I still have a first generation iPod that works like a charm. The only battery I ever needed to replace on my laptop was due to manufacturing issues way back when there were concerns the powerbook battery would spontaneously combust. 7) Notes in meetings: no more loosing that paper! 8) Managing scheduling: Easier. Is multitasking an issue? Yes and no. First, the new OS will most likely fix this if you care that much. It can be a pain in the butt, but it can also help keep you focused on one thing at a time. It all depends on what you want the iPad for. Is it a total replacement for a netbook? It depends on what you use your netbooks for. I have the macbook for heavy processing that I need to do for research...I use lots of media and there is no way I could swing that on an iPad or netbook. The whole issue is about production and consumption to me. I'd much rather do my consumption (articles, searching article databases and all the other browsing and watching I use my laptop for) on the iPad. It feels right and is much easier to manage hauling from spot to spot to complete work than my laptop... not that that is huge. I'd rather keep heavy production databases for research, media and research software and heavy work processing on my laptop. So if you are looking for a device to supplement a desktop or a laptop the iPad is something to look at and is totally functional for class notes and basic research endeavors (article searching, highlighting, managing and database creation) If you want it to be your sole device in grad school you will be disappointed.

I am just wrapping up my undergrad and hitting the grindstone with GREs. I was wondering about your opinion in regards to when would be the best time to finalize your list of schools? I would love to make it to conferences or colloquiums for programs I'd be interested in attending over the summer. I was thinking by the end of July? This would give you enough time to read through the research of potential advisors, etc.... at least in theory. Thanks

Cool, This is one of my first picks next fall. I really like their focus on integration of the applied fields and research as it has always been something that I have wanted to explore. I'd be interested to know the accepted and appliers stats and research experience if they are willing to share.

This is all very great and quite generous of all of you! I'm sure my stats are good, but I also know Ivyies go on to the Ivys more than some guy from a small state University. There are people here in the program a whole hell of a lot smarter than I, just most people don't take the initiative to look for the work to put them in the best position when they go to apply. I also hit a huge break with that fellowship. Note to one poster: The papers that are being written up (1 as we speak) will go through the peer review process, so hopefully the time it takes for that to occur is complete by application deadlines for next year. There will be 2 complete for sure. I should note: first authorship hasn't been secured for the paper only because I have been reticent about speaking up for it. The posters (the same work for the paper) do list me as first author...and rightfully I should be co-authored on these papers since I've done all the data collection and contributed equally on an intellectual level to every aspect of the project. I've pretty much been autonomous with help in only sorting my thoughts and the statistics for an entire year. I am sure I will have to speak up for myself soon...any advice while I have your ear!!>? I know the rank on papers matters when you go to apply, but at the same time I'd hate to be a dick to someone who has been very fair to me. I am with everyone on looking at the fit of research...I am plugged into language work right now. To be quite honest I have ideas with a database that exists for a bunch of papers, and I've become quite proficient with the software used for transcribing and analyzing work. It's exciting to me now, but if I am being frank...I am not sure I'd want to being in this line of work in this field for an entire career - at least on the specific level I am in now. I could certainly sustain myself with it through a Ph.D. program. If I could answer anything scientifically it would be- what makes great teachers? So the programs I am looking at will certainly have an applied (the dreaded word!!!) aspect to them. I'll look to start sending emails out to prospective professors once I graduate in May. I have the option of being highly involved in a lab until I leave to a grad school, but truth be told I'd like to wrap up the work I am on now and just really focus on the GRE and the application process throughout the summer... maybe even enjoy myself for one summer! A really important thing for me in my undergrad career has been the open discourse between my advisor and I. It has given me so much confidence, and I'd look for something similar in a Ph.D. program. However, when going to apply for jobs after the Ph.D. would anyone here just go for prestige? I know it sounds awful, but I'm hip enough to how things work to know this matters. I also worry that the kind of work that I have done has been so specific that it has pigeon holed where I can apply. Ask me about psycholinguistics and I have a slew of ideas...ask me about something else in the field and I can't be nearly as specific with what I'd have to offer. Thanks for the advice on schools. I'll post more questions soon.

Hi Everyone, I am taking a year off to finish up some research and want to gain some insight on the process from you before you all leave! Congrats to all btw. I will be applying with a 3.8 major GPA (straight A's the last 5 semesters) and a 3.6 overall GPA (the deficit is explained by some old music classes before I made the transition to psych). I have and will have 3 poster presentations at conferences with my name as first author. I have a lecture on the CV that was given to the department, but not sure if that counts. Received a University Fellowship award to catalyze a research project research (1 of 8). Started working on writing paper 1 for publication....will be done by June. (first author) Started doing the stats for paper 2 that will be done by application deadlines...same line of research. One more paper, but things would have to go extremely well....if any thing I have a slew of ideas for projects with a data set we've amassed that I could start on in grad school. Worked in a lab by application deadline for 2 years or 5 semesters. GRE's: Studying. How do I tamper my expectations of where I apply for a Ph.D? I'd like to think I have the credentials to apply at the top programs, but in reality when you attend a small program and excel everyone strokes you. I know the applicant pool must look crazy! Would it be worth the money to apply to the likes of a Harvard, etc. Thanks. i've also started compiling programs I'd like to apply to...hoping to have nipped that in the but.