Libra924

For graduate school or law school applications that require a resume, if you have volunteering experience, do you have to put how many hours you volunteered? My guess is no, and I say this because Harvard Law School has sample resumes on their website which show volunteer activities without the number of hours. So if Harvard accepted these people without them stating their volunteering hours, I would surmise that you can get away with not putting the number of hours on your resume. For reference, here's the resume that Harvard Law school considers to be a model resume: https://hls.harvard.edu/content/uploads/2008/11/golitely-resume.pdf The second page has the volunteer section, and no hours are stated. Best to follow Harvard's advice!

If the program doesn't require LORs, but you have some to submit anyway, I would still submit them. Why let them go to waste? I also think that if those letters reflect professional contributions, I think that speaks very positively about your potential as a graduate student anyway. The general rule is that if you've been out of school for a long time, academic LORs are not necessary. Work-related letters take the place of academic letters in those kinds of cases. Take me, for example. I'm in my mid-30s applying to law school next year. I've been out of college for over 10 years, and I'll be submitting 2 LORs..one from a past work supervisor, and the other from a non-profit organization that I've been volunteering for. That's perfectly acceptable.

I'm currently preparing for the GRE myself, and a lot of these reference materials are invaluable for your preparation. A word of advice: I would *not* use Manhattan Prep for anything verbal. They are the best for math practice, however. So just be aware of that. I did some preparing in October/November...all I did was study vocabulary and write up an outline on all the math review topics with plenty of practice problems. I'm scheduling my test for some time in March, and until then, I'll just be using empowerGRE ($49/month currently), my math notes with problems from the 5 lb Manhattan Prep book, vocab flash cards, and ETS practice tests. That's it. The perfect GRE study plan!

@justacigar I know, right? I think I'll be ok though. If I happen to get a low score on the GRE because they didn't approve my medically necessary accommodation, I will just explain this in an addendum on my law school applications. I will explicitly state that there was a disagreement between my physician and ETS over a medically necessary accommodation, and if they need proof, I actually have a signed letter from my doctor stating that I require an accommodation for extended testing time. It's really as simple as that.

I wish you the best! I'd do the same exact thing...explain whatever needs explaining in your personal statement. That's why it's personal, and don't afraid to get too personal either! I have a very blunt and trenchant way of speaking and writing, and I'm certainly not afraid to lay it on thick in a personal statement.

I think I'll vent about registering for the GRE test. I recently requested an accommodation of 50% more time to take the test. Waiting on the results of my request now. Previously, I applied for 100% extra time, but they said that further documentation was needed. I submitted a letter from my mental health center and psychiatrist (I have bipolar I and II disorder with anxiety disorder), but that apparently wasn't good enough. ETS wants really detailed information. I'm not applying for federal disability benefits, for God's sake! Only extended time! It's absolutely ridiculous. I need to take the GRE as soon as possible, so I can't be burdened with trying to get even more detailed information from the clinic. The bureaucracy of it all would waste too much time and I will miss the application deadlines. So, even though the letter from my psychiatrist requests 100% more time, I'm applying for 50% more time instead. I cannot see how it would not be granted. Also, you don't need to submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at all. The bulletin explicitly states that you are "encouraged" to do so. Therefore, it's not *required*. In addition, documentation overall isn't even required to request 50% time (only for 100% extra). I am still enclosing the letter for 100% more time anyway, which shows that I require extra time regardless. As a result, I absolutely must get 50% more time. And we don't want any disruptions to happen in the testing room if I'm forced to take this test with no accommodations at all, right? Right.

For engineering, I think a 158Q is a little low for such a science/math-oriented field like engineering. Try to get that to at least 160. If your GPA was like 3.9+, then I would say you can easily get away with your quant score. Hell, I'm sure a score in the 150s anywhere would be ok if you had a 3.8 or 3.9+ GPA.

I recently requested 50% more time. Waiting on the results of my request now. Previously, I applied for 100% extra time, but they said that further documentation was needed. I submitted a letter from my mental health center and psychiatrist (I have bipolar I and II disorder with anxiety disorder), but that apparently wasn't good enough. ETS wants really detailed information. I'm not applying for federal disability benefits, for God's sake! Only extended time! It's absolutely ridiculous. I need to take the GRE as soon as possible, so I can't be burdened with trying to get even more detailed information from the clinic. The bureaucracy of it all would waste too much time and I will miss the application deadlines. So, even though the letter from my psychiatrist requests 100% more time, I'm applying for 50% more time instead. I cannot see how it would not be granted. Also, you don't need to submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at all. The bulletin explicitly states that you are "encouraged" to do so. Therefore, it's not *required*. In addition, documentation overall isn't even required to request 50% time. I am still enclosing the letter for 100% more time anyway, which shows that I require extra time regardless. As a result, I absolutely must get 50% more time. And we don't want any disruptions to happen in the testing room if I'm forced to take this test with no accommodations at all, right? Right.