grimmiae

Actually, I agree more with you DarwinAG. But maybe it's just because I am biased or maybe it is just because I am nearly finished and I don't want to have to rewrite a paragraph to fit in "by the way". Thanks all.

So I am just finishing up my SOP but then I realized something I maybe should address, I took a semester off to get treament for an eating disorder almost 3 years ago. Is this really necessary to address this? I am more of a private person and I would prefer to not. I am nearly finished so that is why a fast response would be nice. Thanks

You could also buy a copy of APAs Graduate study in psychology. Cut them down by looking at the ones that actually have funding, some of the information there can be inaccurate but it is a helpful guide. I think the application process is just time consuming in general so even after you pick ten....you're still going to need to devote a significant amount of time just going through the application process. And my opinion is to avoid professional schools typically they are just very expensive.

Yes, University of Kansas and Arizona have excellent programs with research regarding those areas. However, I am intimidated to apply to them because they seem like such fantastic programs. Ah...inferiority complex gotta love them.

I think I have to remind myself that as smart as many of my professors are they are all people full of their biases and preconceived ideas and the application process in general is a "bigger picture". When I think about it I sometimes ask myself "how hard would it be to be on an ad comm committee and choose?" because it seems simple to find applicants with high scores, good match, great SOPs, and a good amount of research experience. But I don't think that is the case, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I am oversimplifying it. I have a great compelling reason as to why I want to go to the two Phd programs that are on my list. The rest are masters, simply because I am late in the game for applications. I haven't had much time to prepare for the GRE this time around (less than a month). So I could retake later if I absolutely wanted to. I think the pressure on testing day will work for me rather than against me. If anyone else has some perspective I would like to hear it...or if you know of any social Phd programs with a focus on stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, any thing related to stigmatized identities PM me.

So here is my current concern. I have yet to take the GRE however, I have gotten a 154Q and a 156V on the practice test. Maybe I will do better on exam day, or worse. I have a week left to prepare and I am just hoping for the best at this point and taking a practice exam everyday. Granted this is hypothetical, but what if my GRE score is around a 310-315? Is this good enough to get into a PhD program somewhere? I know the application depends on a lot more, but I feel that it is the main part of my application that would be lacking which makes me incredibly self doubting. To me more stellar scores are like (almost/at 160) I am not looking to get into the top 10 programs I just want to go to a school that shares my research interests and work really hard. These are somewhat low scores which feels disheartening because once you figure out what you want to do- then you also have to face the possibility that maybe you will not be able to do it? here is the rest of my stats in case you want to read them 3.7 Cum, psych 3.8 going on 3 years of research experience, 2 independent, 1 group project, 2 years reasearch assistant, 1/2 as lab coordinator, 2 posters at local conference, designed undergrad research journal Psi Chi tutored psych, including intro, stats, physiological etc etc My area is primarily social psychology.

My plan now is just to be very selective in which masters program I choose, making sure that they are very research focused and focused on preparing students for for going on to get their Phd. The ones I am applying to have full funding. If I don't looking for a lab position would be another option. I am just taking my chances. In the end I think that is all I can really do. But ultimately I see that I have to leave my current location if I want to valuable reserach experience.

The issue is not that I dont know my research interests. Broadly speaking I am sticking to: impression formation, stigma, the self, attitude formation and behavior change. The problem I have at the moment is finding programs that combine these interests with sexual health which is another interest. I have found one person who does research which is the most ideal fit but the rest of their program is VERY heavy on biological factors which is not something I am at all interested in. So I just feel torn as to whether or not I should abandon the sexual health piece of my research interests. Ultimately, anything related to stigma is the most important thing to me. And for a short period fo time I felt very apprehensive about going into social psychology because it is so competitive and even if I make it all the way to Phd, then what? The job market is terrible but the more I think about it I can't see myself doing anything else which is also frightening. Me too, it has been mind numbing. I think I am going to stop doing so and just go with my gut instinct. But you're right, on the "depending on their own career path" when you ask questions like these people can only answer from their own experience anyways. I think this is the best option available at this point. I am doing some research at my alma mater but it is nothing new and challenging that adds something significantly different to my resume. Bottom line is here my options are very limited, I have looked into everything it feels. Alot of the deadlines for masters programs are in Feb. So yes my intuition is nudging me in that direction. Thank you very much for a dissenting opinion, it was helpful. I have found a few which I think I am very competitive for, with full funding. Thanks again for all the feed back.

I am already running a study/coordinating a lab for my former advisor. If I don't get accepted this round, hopefully by the next time I apply I will have a publication to add. I looked into the program at William and Mary, looks very nice fit for me. With a later deadline.

Yes, in between studying for the GRE, and looking up schools that are good fits, I think I can still make the deadlines. Actually, I think December 15th is cutting it close, most of my programs deadlines are around the end of December or Some are even in January and Feb. So even if it is a few programs that are good fits that is better than none. I am doing something research related, if I do not make deadlines, and have to re-apply I will most likely continue with my current project coordinating a lab and the project will hopefully get published. Comments on Masters vs. Phd appreciated.

background: So after I graduated in the spring of 2012 I think my head was spinning slightly. My undergraduate journey was over and I was surprised with myself because I started to question myself if spending 5 more years school was something I could withstand. Although it was something that I had planned on, it still felt daunting. I began to look into other career options. The second best fit (I thought at the time) was occupational therapy (you make money, and you're done with school in about 2 years and I have extensive background working with the disabled). Fast foward to Sept/Oct. I am taking anatomy and physiology to fufill the pre reqs for OT. Then something happened, I realized that this was nothing that I really wanted to do. I am not one of those people that can just choose a career just for the salary. I really missed doing research (this is an understatment really). Fast forward to now- I talked with my old advisor, and am trying to sift through her advice. I have a number of strong ties in my psych department, but the thing is- they all give me such different advice. Her advice is that since I am rushed to apply 1) find programs with later application deadlines (no getting around that). 2) consider masters programs because they do tend to have later deadlines That is what I feel iffy about. I don't know if it is just a bias that has been ingrained in me from other professors or if the APA has also assisted in building this belief (I think there is some article on this topic lurking out there)- a part of me does feel as though getting my terminal masters before the Phd does hurt me. I feel like I have seen this on these boards too-masters students who struggle (despite 4.0s) to get into Phd programs. 3) she also brought up the idea that if I wait till next fall that this could also hurt my application because some ad comms may think okay well why'd she wait so long? And lastly this is where is stand for my competitiveness- State College 3.7 Cum, psych 3.8 going on 3 years of research experience, 2 independent, 1 group project, 2 years reasearch assistant, 1/2 as lab coordinator, 2 posters at local conference, designed undergrad research journal Psi Chi tutored psych, including intro, stats, physiological etc etc ...and I have to retake the gre. I've been scoring around a 310 on practice exams just starting. Other notes: my research focus is shifted once again. I think that Health psychology is a nice fit at this point. I am interested in programs that are extremely research focused. Still narrowing down my research interests. Thoughts?

Well...I was responding to the OP. Not to people in general. Everyone is entilted to their opinion and we all have our own individual goals. there was a thread similar to this... I agree whole heartedly with this advice. "Every time somebody asks, "Should I (re)take the GRE?" it devolves into a discussion of the GRE's merits or lack thereof. The fact remains that to get in, you have to buy in to the system. For those who doesn't like the GRE, remember this thread in the future when you're sitting on an admission committee, or making admissions policy for your university. Until then, play the game, take the GRE, and score well, else you're limiting your chances to even get into graduate school." -Macchiato succint and to the point. Beautiful.

"also look for a few programs that don't require the GRE" I am sorry but what the hell? What reputable programs in neurological/developmental psychology do not require the GRE? It seems to me the the majority of schools that don't are professional schools who seem to exist to make money off of students who are willing to be in tremendous amounts of debt. My advice is take the time. You won't regret it. Get a better score and apply to programs that aren't bottom tier schools.

RIght, thank you all for the responses. The concensus seems to be that I will not know unless I go to the doctor. With substances like adderal, it makes sense that they would not just give it to me without some type of testing. Being a psych major I feel at least informed that it is not really a black and white issue, I believe it is more complex than just "The thing that you keep five things at once in your mind, alone, should suffice for the indication of your brain functioning properly". It can't be said by anyone on the boards here, I am just generally surprised by the response. Hard to say in general! I feel focused in some arenas of life and not so much in others. I completely relate to xdarthveganx, I can maybe write 2 pages of a paper at a time. If I write more than that I am painstakingly slow. I just start thinking about the most random thoughts that are totally unrelated. It interferes with alot of things getting done. I notice it in reading material too- I read maybe five sentences out of a page. My attention is really hard to maintain unless I am TOTALLY enthralled with it. I will make an appointment and see what happens. That is all I can do for now.

I have come to the conclusion that my primary issue with the GRE is maintaining focus and attention. I can do fairly well for awhile, but then after two hours it is like- my brain will just not focus. It is extremely difficult for me to even read the screen. As far as the timed conditions, I think the best strategy is to slowly decrease the time I allow myself to solve twenty problems to the timing of the GRE exam. But as far as long term testing endurance? I am not sure what to do. Learn to meditate? I'm not sure. In my personal life I have had many people ask me if I am ADHD. However, even if I was I don't really think there is anything I could do to see if I have it. If you go to your doctor at 24 years old and ask them how do I know if I am ADHD do they just laugh at you because they think you want Ritalin? Generally speaking, it is just controversial. I mean who doesn't have a hard time focusing in life? But in all honesty I have had people say they can not follow my train of thought because I can think about five different things at once...my brother was diagnosed with ADHD a long time ago. Ahhhh insight? Anyone?

Actually, now you can take the GRE and select which scores you want an admission committee to see. They will not see previous scores...if you so choose. http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/scoreselect

I agree heavily with Arcadian. I don't really understand as to why you are beating yourself up over some of your stats. They seem as though they are good enough to get you past the cut off point for most programs. And if you want to get your verbal score up, then retake the exam? It seems as if you are being way too perfectionistic here. I mean the application process is confusing for everyone, and the most important thing you can do is feel that you tried your best. So if you want to boost your GRE scores, retake the exam. I know that clinical is super competitive, but that is just the reality...you could apply to wide range of schools. I am a big believer that sometimes you won't really know what you want to do until you have at least a little experience doing it. After working with mentally ill people in general I realized I hated it. I thought I would hate doing research, and I ended up LOVING it. So it all depends. If you don't know what you want to research, or have a general idea- why don't you print out research that is generally related to what you think you may like? Then, after reading it I think you may get a sense of "yes! this is what I was thinking" or "no this is so boring". As far as your professors go, professors can be very eccentric and detached from what it was like a to be a grad student/undergraduate/just someone figuring out what the hell to do. They can mean well, but sometimes they can forget where students are coming from. Least this has been my experience. Just take it for what it is, a suggestion to narrow down your interests, and go from there. It's the truth. The majority of Phd programs are not focused on producing clinical psychologists whose main goal is to do therapy. I am sure that there are multiple reasons for this, but many people interested in Clinical psychology forget this. I have met so many students that have given in to the idea that if they just apply to schools and make it apparent that "helping people" is there goal that they will just get accepted because that is what the field of clinical is all about. Doubt it. But hey- the bright side is that you have done your research so you will not be wasting your money applying to programs that are looking for researchers. If you choose to not persue that. If you feel that working with people is really what you want to do I would suggest to really revist social work. Getting your masters as a liscensed indepent clinical social worker may be a better fit for you. But, one thing you will have to get over is the money aspect. 60k is a fine living. Unless your goal is to be ridiculously wealthy. Think about how many people have gone into jobs just to make money. The people who I have known who have done this are so unhappy and dread going to work each day and hate their lives. Lisensed independent clincal social workers make just as much as many clinical psychologists and they have to jump through way less hoops to do what they love: work with people. I understand what you are going through. It might be a good time to consider some time off. I am really happy I took a year to focus on narrowing down my research interests. It helped immensely. If you take some time to self reflect I think they answers will come to you. It sounds cheesey, but only you really know what is a good career fit for you. I can't imagine putting myself through something I hated for five more years. I don't understand why people put themselves through this just to make more money. There's a bunch of research on money and happiness as well. Gotta love that. Best luck.

Hello there! I have grown up in Fargo. My family moved here when I was about 7 and I am 24 now. It isn't so bad here. The biggest plus I would think is that perhaps you will experience that "midwestern nice" personality here. People are extremely helpful and friendly. Since you are from Florida, the bigest thing would be being prepared for crazy weather. There is no such thing as predicting what kind of winter we will have. For instance, this past winter we maybe got an inch of snow fall. Yet, other winters we got so much that everyone freaks out about flooding and thinks that we are all going to sink and blah blah blah. It's really funny actually. I don't know if I agree with the same poster above, I mean it depends on your sensitivity to cold. Days when it is 30 below with windchill- yeah you need to bundle up. But I just make sure my face is covered, that I am wearing good shoes, and a heavey coat. But then again, I grew up here so I think my sensitivity to cold is greatly reduced. But I would laugh at someone wearing full gear. The second thing that is true is that you really must have a car to get around unless you are a true bad ass. A sociology professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead, bikes to school in the winter...so depends on your cold tolerance. But you never know, we could have another mild winter. I think that living here really just depends on what you do for fun. I think we have the highest rate of binge drinking...you will see that Broadway is a short run around for bar hoping. The biggest plus here is that people are friendly. The biggest minus is the winter and creating your own fun. As long as you are creative you will fare well here.

Yeah I agree with the above, especially the gut feeling. From my memory of the test I stared randomly guessing without reading the questions after awhile because I felt so tired and my attitude was F it. So retaking the exam is probably the best. Individual differences can vary considerably.

I know what my scores are, they were lackluster. I didn't want to post them on here because I wanted to keep them personal. They could somewhat qualify for some of my programs but they are still weak. I'll get over my sense of embarrasment. Q-145 30th percentile V-155 70th percentile Analytical writing score 4.5 I really barely tried I just could not maintain my focus. I was more so hoping to hear from someone who had the same experience, and then retook it. I just want to hear a happy retake the GRE story? I still have considerable anxiety about retaking it.

Quick reference: I made the dumb decision the night before the gre to let testing anxiety get the best of me. I could not sleep. My test was scheduled for 8AM. I didn't sleep at all and needless to say as I was taking the exam my eyes felt like they were burning out of my skull and I think I may have even dozed off a few times. I just quit caring but didn't cancel my scores. I could look them up, but the actual scores to me are irrelevant. I just know I could have done a lot better. My question is this: has this happened to anyone before, and when you retook the exam on a full night of sleep did you do significantly better than your old scores? Guessing I am not the only person who has made this mistake. Just curious to hear some experiences. Because I am praying that my scores were really just due to exhuastion though I did not bomb as badly as I could have. Just gotta control my testing anxiety better the night before.

Yeah, hate to break your heart, it is extremely doubtful from my experience of grad school searching to find any schools that do not require the GRE for a psychology Phd. or even a Masters. I would recommend dedicating yourself to studying for the GRE once again, if you dedicate yourself to studying really hard, then there is no reason (this is my opinion course) why you shouldn't see an improvement in your score. a mid 600s scores could greatly improve your grad school prospects.

This is totally my opinion, if you really want to aim for getting into a more prestigious school, you need to make the commitment to really study for the GRE. If you study, you should do significantly better in my opinion. You mentioned that you "Got pulled away" by things in your personal life. This is understandable, but I think it would be worth it if you took time to think over when would be the most stress free time for you to study and get a good score. This way- if you get a far better score, then hopefully other institutions will realize that you are capable a high score, despite your previous low scores.

seems like the consensus on this board for most people wanting to know about their chances is "fit" and "research research research" sure, gre scores can serve as a cut off, and it is worth the time to look into programs if they have an explicit score that you must reach to be considered. But, if you make that cut off and you have a shining application otherwise, I think it is alright to say that you stand a good chance.

How do you think that admission committees will weigh the new revised GRE scores? Do you think they will view them as less important due to the restructuring of the test? Or- that they will view them in the same way that they did for the old GRE? I've heard different things, so just looking for other opinions.