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Dirkwww, your scores may become more of a concern for you. They are in the mid-low range for acceptable scores. It really will depend on the competitiveness of the programs you're applying to, and how you are tying together your full application package. Does your personal statement show clear direction and passion? Are all three of your LOR going to be impressive? What is your GPA like? If your GPA is also mid-range, you may consider taking a few grad classes, or retaking the GRE to show you have more academic prowess than your scores reflect.

Rising Star nailed it. Psychology, especially anything in clinical or social, has some of the most extensive app processes.We apply to way more schools, and have far more competition in those few schools. Psychology is a hot topic in undergrad, the applicants who are competitive are more than you may expect. In sociology and anthro, I don't know the competitive level. If it's as ridiculous ( about 3-8 acceptances to 300-400 applicants) I suggest finding your highest price point, and factoring in what you can afford. My selection process is based on needing to stay local. So I'm applying to every school within what I consider a commutable distance (for me 1 1/2 hrs) with programs I want. Luckily, I have the budget to pull it off, since I've been stashing the money away for just that. My process will be a lot more limiting and offers only 8 schools. Luckily, those schools are within a diverse range and competitive level.

From what I'm hearing, you have a lot of experience, but what direction do you want to go in? I feel like there is a long list of skills and passions, without really a connection to understand who you are and what your drive is. What do you bring to graduate school? If your answer is " all of this experience" over "I want to achieve this the field" then your approach is a less self-reflective, and not as deep or impressive. Focus on your story. What has all of this experience done for you? Obviously, you love this field a lot, and you certainly belong in it. I'd just like to know more about you.

I agree with Jay. You are becoming a rather competitive applicant. I think it's great that you even ended up with the time off, because it's really helped your professional development. It seems to really make you know yourself, and what you want to achieve. Your Statement of Purpose and Letters of Reference will probably be top notch. Really, focusing on your dyslexia may be more of wasted space. Most people I know who talk about disabilities use it to explain why they are qualified despite it. Really, if you incorporate into your statement, make sure it highlights how your dyslexia has helped you understand and see the world (and maybe your research interests) in a different way. Make it a strength, and not a struggle to overcome. That will highlight your maturity, and may help clarify application struggles without expressly saying you struggled with it. I'd focus really on drilling those math skills. If you can afford an prep program, such as Magoosh or EmpowerGRE, they can help you figure out strategies and improve those baseline skills.

The question really is, were your GRE scores the reason for not getting accepted? According to one top #10 program, University of Pennsylvania, students quant range is 152-166. Really, your scores should be acceptable for funding and any other concerns. You could ask the programs why you were not accepted. The very worst you'll get is "too many applicants, too few slots." Which, in my mind means, the rest of your credentials didn't fit their program as closely as someone else's. Remember, GRE is important as a base qualifier. But the rest of your application makes them want to hire you.

Those hours drastically change based on where you are working. I know several Mental Health Clinicians who are never moved based part-time. And those hours are spread across the full week (mornings/nights/weekends). They work at residential programs. Several I know are not making enough to support themselves. However, other Clinicians have a full-time position including running evening & day groups. In fact, they're also doing 60+ hours a week, or working at other programs to fill in their evening hours to make pay. There's no way to gauge what hours you will have. The spectrum is wide. With a firm, "I won't do evenings" cut off, that will just be a bridge you have to cross when you start job applications. No matter the job, field, etc., there's no guaranteeing where it will/will not hinder the hunt.

Remember that you now have a story. You were uncertain, and had no idea what direction to go. So you went into the military. Sometime after that, you realized that SLP was the right field. Why? Why that field? You have the makings of a great SOP. I don't know if SLP offers something like professional credit classes on the grad level. However, I have several cohorts in my MHC professional degree that came from atrocious undergrad grades, but with passion and a story. I think they accept 2-3 'gamble candidates' each year. These students would up with professional credentials, references and reputation, and took the extra courses before being fully admitted into the graduate program. If SLP works similarly, that may be a way to get in. Focus on ways to demonstrate that you'd succeed beyond test scores (i.e. the real life).

The best way I've found is studying synonyms. I took the GRE word lists and I split them into synonym categories. That way, as I memorized them, I memorized the synonyms together for unusual words. Another strategy is study the positive/negative connotation of the words.

If I were in your shoes, I would go I/O. But that's because, as a counselor, I know how burnt out the system can make you. So yes, you're at home more, but you feel more exhausted and have nothing left to give. But that's me, and only you would know if you can separate yourself to not bring your work home with you. Overall, I/O on a masters level pays far more than counseling at a masters level. Business and industry pay more. Also, while the PhD is academic/scholarly, look to where the placement after the PhD is. I think you need to look more at the jobs, job market, and what is right for you. Both are solid careers, but only you will know which field will lead you to what I call a 'content' life. Where, when you come home at night, you feel like you achieved something, contributed what you need to to the family, but can still give more to the ones you care about.

Well nevermind that suggestion then! You can technically pursue a clinical PhD from any degree. However, if you're showing a budding interest in psychology, that continues in each subsequent program, alongside research and professional development, you have a stronger application. However, if you go for a different degree choice (Ed), and then doubleback around, the admissions committee might see the choices as confusing and unfocused.

I have a suggestion for you, if you want to get a masters first, why not pursue a music therapist masters degree? You would still be in academia, and be able to conduct research; however, instead of moving out of the career field for research, you may be able to merge the two. Your application would have more flow and professional consistency. If this idea is appealing, you can find out more about it here: http://www.musictherapy.org/

Are you interested in the study, or the practice, of counseling? If you are interested on a practice level, the M.A counseling degree is preferential. The degree is specifically made to get you licensed and working. On the master's level, accreditating agencies (such as CACREP) are considered better. The accreditation allows the student to sit for their licensing exam sooner, and they can start acquiring their field work hours quicker. Some states do not care about the accreditation, but the more strict the state is on licensing, the more that CACREP program will help. If you really want, you can also get a PsyD, but there's really no difference professionally than the client going "ooo" more over having a doctoral. Might help for private practice, but a master's practitioner can still do that as well. Coming out with the doctoral, you'd need less field hours before licensing, and are considered more elite, but really, the field cares minimally. However, if you are interested in an academic career, the PhD is the better route in the long run. For this, you may be able to skip the masters all together. If not, look for masters programs which will allow a thesis and research in counseling psychology. If you want both options, get yourself ready for balancing a lot of professional work and research to make yourself applicable to both careers. You'll actually want both on your applications. From there, still go for the long haul PhD. Counseling, but you'll want to sit in for the license exam as well after completing your program.

It really depends on the field, and what you need to demonstrate in your SOP and LOR. If you need a heavy research angle, go with the research job. However, if you need to demonstrate the real world application, go with the internship. I don't know about many other fields, but in human services, you can find other real world applications through volunteering at crisis hotlines, or after school care with special needs, so the research again would be preferable (since it's more difficult to come by on a undergrad level). However, if the internship demonstrates exactly what you want to do, and you can do it well, yes that would also be an excellent choice. You're in a win-win situation, just consider which part of your applications need the extra support.

When it comes to GPA, you'll meet most criteria, gre there's no way to gauge. However, the ad committee isn't really as concerned with those numbers as much as they are with the rest of the package. Those numbers are funding cut off points, and just say you have the raw skills to pursue a doctoral. They'd like you to show how you fit with your expected plan, not just say you want to do it. Yes, you could spend the money for this year and sent out 'adequate' applications, or you could spend another year demonstrating you are passionate about your interests so that you're shot at being one of those 3-8 acceptances is much better. Honestly, I you have the money to take the risk, you can. But it's a heavier gamble. I'd take the year. In fact, I took 7!

You may also want to check with the department to find out what is considered a "reasonable" accommodation for substance dependency. Usually, something like that would offer extensions and possibly taking a semester off while you undergo intensive in-treatment services without recourse. However, grade allowances within the semester may not be covered.

My partner was initially in Art Education, but because of constraints, he is trying to make a paycheck while he establishes himself as a visual artist. the reason why I commented was, I can understand the frustration of balancing the relationship with academic and professional limitations. Especially as you're both in early stages of your career. I'm limited in my area, as he works a job he enjoys, but is not in his area, so we can keep a steady paycheck. And once I'm steady, it's time to flip-flop and give him the flexibility in pursuing art full-time. Unfortunately, he's not one of those half-baked dreamers, he has actual skill (shameless plug here), so it's a balancing act for both of us.

August will give you a good buffer. If you're still in school, trying to study for the GREs and give full attention to upper level classes never works well, so it avoids the academic problems. And, if you work full time, it give you time to hear back about your scores and re-take the exam for the December deadlines.

Qualifications for a good counseling grad student computer = will it do everything you need without dying halfway through your semester. Honestly, you need longevity over the bells and whistles. Grad school needs: 1. Write papers in the correct format. So that's getting either Microsoft Office Suite or Open office. 2. Battery life for in the office, library, bus, whatnot 3. Multitasking. I live by my email to organize group stuff, office work, class work, part-time jobs... 4. Video card. I'm given several video examples to watch. That I multitask with other assignments 5. Statistics software, if you get involved in research, would be nice Notice, none of those require a lot of *high power.* If you're a gamer, netflix user, etc. base you choice factoring that.

Can't speak for funding, but a MA program typically has more core counseling class, an ED will have more a more education core. However, that's not a definite difference. Some programs have virtually no difference. Check the curriculum for each program you're looking at closely.

Look for different journals and associations within your focus area. For instance APS, EPA, ACA... If you become a student member, you can easily keep track of conference dates and locations of interest. Plus you get workshop discounts. I have a neuropsych conference I keep trying to get to, but it's never in a good locale for me.

I started to do the same thing over the last few weeks. Keep in mind, the fiscal year isn't set, so many don't know their funding and which professors will be able to accept students yet. Let them know: 1. you're aware that this may be too early for an definitive answer, but you wanted to reach out now 2. What you're interest area is 3. That you're actually familiar with their work (reading through they're material, projects, etc.) You can also try to start a dialogue about what projects, etc, they are currently working on. You can offer the profile, if they're interested, but I'd wait on that until a few emails in. That seems a little too forward immediately.

Most professors I know encourage students to apply to about 8-10 programs minimum, if funds allow it. However, as Shamrock_Frog mentioned, research fit and program fit is the most crucial element. So, if you're able to apply to all 10 programs, still focus on that fit first and foremost.

Taking daredevil slowly. Love the story arc, but have to be careful with gorier shows. They mess with my psyche if I don't watch in a certain mood.

I'm a hulu/netflix person. I'm making my way back through Gilmore Girls. But am currently watching all the superhero/comic stuff: Flash, Arrow, Agent Carter, Agents of Shield, IZombie. The last list is completely the fault of the guy though and they tend to be on once I get home from campus!

Not every student is going to understand, or adapt to, your teaching style. They are from diverse backgrounds. If one or two are lost in the material, you are not a failure. If half your class is even lost, depending on the subject, that may still be fine. I have other PhD friends who just started teaching and thought it was their fault their students did not understand the material. The students may need to learn new study strategies, or are missing foundation knowledge for the course. There may be times you should re-hash and re-evaluate your lesson plan, or even find a way to condense or simplify the material. Perhaps it is a problem with your teaching style itself (in which case observation is awesome), but that is not the go-to rule. If the student asks for help (which will be incredibly rare) suggest campus resources to them, and meeting with you during office hours. It is not your job to make them succeed. That's theirs.