PsychApplicant2

It's funny you say that, because I'm on one of his zoom classes now. ?

Currently dying over studying for quant right now, lol. I think the writing portion is important though (and usually psych majors do very well on that part) but we'll see.This year is definitely going to be interesting for admissions!

Hi! I'm a prospective applicant but my advice would be to get research experience! Make sure you've taken the basic psych courses (for clinical, I believe grad schools like to see classes like Abnormal Psych, Developmental, Personality Theories, etc. Also, make sure you have the basics, such as Research methods and Stat). Your GRE scores are great! No worries there. I think the biggest thing to focus on right now is research - whether you volunteer in a lab or get a paid position. Or, if you wanted, a masters with a thesis will demonstrate to Ph.D./Psy.D. programs that you're capable of conducting research. Hope this helps!

Agreed. Not required is basically saying "we can't force you to take the GREs but we're still going to favor students who submit scores." I only know of one clinical psych program in America that doesn't accept them.

Haha! I don't know, but the list of programs waiving the GRE continues to grow!

The GRE is described as an "objective measure". There's no way it can be objective this year with the pandemic/technical issues at home. Whenever I see a website that says "we still require the GRE, just take it at home" I have to admit, it's a little off-putting. Banish the GRE! Lol

Another interesting point I've seen is the implication of making schools be GRE-blind instead of GRE-waived. For example, will some students be favored more because they submitted their GRE scores vs others who didn't? I think the only good solution is to make this application season GRE blind, to decrease bias, since there are PI's who favor the GRE when they admit students. Curious about everyone else's thoughts on this!

What if your scores aren’t high? Do they still want to see them? Thx for the tip!

I believe Yale just lifted their GRE requirements too? Have they always been GRE optional? As per their website: " Providing scores on the GRE Aptitude Test is optional, as are scores on the GRE Psychology Subject Test."

This is one of my concerns as well. It's also hard to get a sense of the campus location and university life when we can't do in-person interviews! It must be harder for the PI to get a sense of every applicant online. I would rather do in-person interviews. I'm hopeful that a treatment/vaccine will be made available by then, but I guess we never know.

I’m sorry about your experience. A lot of people are having issues with ProctorU I would wait and see what schools do before you reschedule.

Update: The University of Florida just waived GRE for this cycle AND the foreseeable future!!!

Have to agree with this. The only way I see it being beneficial is if an applicant has a weak point in their application and wants to submit high GRE scores to make up for it. Otherwise, I completely agree. Schools should either be GRE blind or require it. This application cycle is going to be rough.

I agree, and I hope this will bring a change for all schools to finally get rid of the GRE, or at least make sending it, optional (i.e., if your GPA is low but you want to supplement that with a high GRE score). I've been studying for about a month and it just feels completely useless. I feel as though my GRE is going to be my Achilles heel that gets my application tossed in the trash, even though I have relevant experience and a good GPA.

Personally, I'm retaking my GRE later in July. I took it last year and scored way below any average score of the programs I'm applying to. I think the GRE should not be used to keep a candidate out. GPA, research experience, personal statement, glowing LORs, etc, should be considered. If someone has a ton of research experience but really crappy GRE scores, why should they be denied over someone who has decent GRE scores but not as much research experience? I'm not in the room during these decisions, but I know PI's that are fine to take someone based on their GRE. I could rant on and on about how the GRE isn't a predictor of future success, blah blah blah. We all know that. I will say I would be much happier to take the Psych GRE or something similar, such as medical students have to take their MCAT and dental students their DAT and law students the LSAT, and so on. For my program (clinical psych), I really struggle to see how the GRE means anything (perhaps besides the AWA section). Rant over lol

Hi, all! I found this spreadsheet on Reddit of clinical psychology programs that are waiving their GRE Requirement for this fall. (I don't personally plan to schools that only waive their GRE Requirements, but I thought this could help some people!) https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SrWySd98Aqf0b0C_XN2KX_Uqt-9q0Hrem-ZX2w-dads/edit?usp=sharing

UW and UCSB Clinical Psych have made their GRE requirements optional.

The Psych GRE or the general GRE?

Yes, I have heard that about the GRE too! I have it scheduled for the end of July. I guess being unemployed (not for lack in trying) is a blessing in disguise, because all I've been doing is studying for the GRE to improve my scores from last year! And yes, I've heard emailing faculty later is probably the best bet. It's a crazy process, I'm already overwhelmed but I'm hopeful! Good luck to you!! I hope the pandemic doesn't mess up our plans too much.

Hi all! I'm applying this cycle. First time applicant; I'm quite nervous! I'm fully expecting to get rejected from every program just because of the competitiveness of these applications. I'm looking for balanced programs w/ emphasis on clinical and research. So far I plan on applying to Drexel, Northwestern Feinberg, University of Maine, UConn, Fordham, UF, and others. Taking my GRE in July (fingers crossed)! I have reached out to one POI so far with no response so I'm thinking I'll wait a bit until emailing other POIs. I'm applying to as many research coordinator positions as possible but a lot of places are unsure if they will be able to actually hire applications. It's all a mess right now! I know some schools are removing the GRE as a requirement, which is crazy. Hopefully everything goes smoothly for us applicants!!