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Insei

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  • Gender
    Female
  • Location
    Atlanta
  • Interests
    Food and brains.
  • Program
    Neuroscience

Insei's Achievements

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Decaf (2/10)

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  1. Another possibility, though purely speculation, is that the people taking the new GRE during this incipient period are doing so because they preferred (i.e. achieved better scores with) this new test format based on available practice tests. Additionally, one could argue that the folks taking it right now were fully prepared for the test change and chose to tackle it directly rather than blindly stumbling into it. This accurately describes my decision to take the new test, anyway. That and the 50% discount, of course
  2. It's always possible, but if the average score (much like quant scores on the old exam) is heavily skewed, the validity of the test will be called into question. If ETS screws up this revision badly enough, maybe the GRE will cease to exist. Honestly, would anyone miss it? The score I got on the GRE was on par with the last few practice tests I completed prior to the exam, so I can't personally speak to an unexpectedly high score. The people you talked to are a very tiny percentage of the hundreds of thousands of people who will take the test before November, so hopefully you've just got a biased sample.
  3. Just took the new GRE today. I used Kaplan's Premier GRE guide, it comes with 6 (!) practice tests and a CD with oodles more individual practice sections. The practice tests alone are worth the price of the book; they provide detailed analysis concerning which types of questions you missed in each section, very good for pinpointing your weaknesses so you can study smarter, not harder. I'm starting to sound like a commercial, so I'll stop Median score on first practice test, before any prep: 1250 (700V, 550Q) Median score today: 1450 (680V, 770Q) Yeah, Kaplan's system whipped my math into shape, it's a damn good resource. Repeated retrieval (i.e. practice tests) is the best way to go about studying for the GRE, in my opinion. Plus, can't beat the price; I paid $20 for a 200 point score boost. That's like, a dime per point. Sweet. Edit: The xx is a kickass band, Basic_Space. Best of luck to you.
  4. Maybe I'm just blind, but I'm only seeing one practice test for the new GRE in the Powerprep II software. Where are you guys finding these other tests?
  5. Easily. Honestly, anything a computer can do, C can tell it to do it. You just have to know how.
  6. I'm narrowing down the schools I'd like to apply to at the end of the year, and I've noticed that many of them give the option of including a diversity statement with one's application. The description of what it is supposed to be is consistently and remarkably vague, however. Here's some stuff I think sets me apart from other people that may be applying to these schools: 1. I'm a girl in science, but that's not really so uncommon anymore. 2. I will be the first person in my family to earn a bachelor's degree, let alone to go to graduate school. 3. I spent much of my childhood in a bad financial situation; as a teenager, I worked to help my single mom pay bills. 4. I have worked 25-30 hours a week to financially support myself as an undergrad. This fact becomes impressive when one considers how much research I do. Do any of these things warrant the writing of a diversity statement? For the record, I'm white If I weren't, this would be a no-brainer.
  7. Only speaking from personal experience, but one one of the professors I work closely with (cog neuro guy) has his research assistants program in C if they want to conduct behavioral experiments with him. He likes C because it's a low-level language, super compatible, and very powerful. He tells me that it'll look "pretty bitchin" (his words, not mine) on my CV It's useful as all hell to be able to program your own stimuli; saves the department time, money and it enables you to really customize your experiments.
  8. Maybe outline the dates during which you worked as a temp, and then specify that you were a temp for that time period. Instead of listing each individual position, that is. If you wanted to touch on the sorts of jobs you did as a temp, you can add that without listing the dates for each position.
  9. To the OP, science is undoubtedly about passion for research. But, without a good bit of creativity and the ability to work as part of a collective (e.g. interpersonal skills), you can't get very far. GPA and GRE scores are by no means an indication of those qualities. Science is a team sport; I think it makes a lot of sense that labs want people who will jive well with the group. I know that when I choose an advisor, how well we gel is going to be a huge determining factor. Spending up to 7 or 8 years working closely with someone is a big deal, especially if you hate each other
  10. Good responses, thank you for the input! That is encouraging. You make valid points about GPA as well--I realize that a 3.85 at my current school may not be worth as much as the same GPA at Georgia Tech (a neighboring school), where a 3.30 puts you near the top of your class. Grade inflation is a real problem at a lot of schools. What I'm hoping to demonstrate with my double major, high course rigor and oodles of research experience is that I am making my institution work for me; I would have no problem defending the quality of my education if it were ever questioned, and I think that is important. nessa makes some fine points as well. Truth be told, I did end up at my current institution because my first choice rejected me (I was a "late-bloomer", high school didn't go well). Those assumptions you talk about are exactly the judgments I fear from these ivory tower folks I'm applying to. However, I stayed at my school because it never left me wanting; everything I have ever needed has been here, including relevant research opportunities with fantastic faculty. Maybe that fact should make an appearance in my SOP! [Edit] ringo, I don't know who voted you down, but I liked your post! Here's a bump back up
  11. Howdy! Been creeping around this lovely forum for a bit now, figured I'd join the fray. I'm just starting the whole grad school prep process; I've been accumulating research experience and diligently combing the interwebs for POIs and potential programs of interest for about six months now. I go to a large state university, where I'm double majoring in biology and psychology and maintain a darn decent GPA (3.85). I have been fortunate enough to find work with three different professors who study neuroscience (my thing). I have independent research projects in the works with each of them, and should have 3+ presentations and perhaps a publication under my belt by the time I apply for grad school. Those folks should provide me with some rather snazzy LORs as well! So, about those POIs of mine...they are all, so far, at extremely reputable schools, mostly Ivy League. With a good GPA, good GRE scores (~1400), plenty of relevant research experience, fantastic LORs and interests that fit well into the program, is there any valid reason graduating from Nowhere State University should be a factor when these top tier schools look at my app? Has anyone experienced discrimination based on where they earned their undergraduate degree?
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