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I'm glad you were able to make such a drastic change in your scoring. Congrats!

From what I know about Boston College, your GPA should not kick you from the running at all, but it won't *impress* them. I would suggest contacting the specific departments to determine what they want for minimum scores. Each specific school has their own gauge. Sometimes the scores mean nothing other than a university's requirement. However, for some programs you *have* to be in the top 75%. On the other hand, some say your GRE combined score needs to be a certain minimum, while others only care about one of the reasoning sections. In general, masters programs are not nearly as concerned about your scores themselves as the rest of your application. They'd like to see your passions and interests glow off the page. So, without knowing the rest of your credentials it really is impossible to answer the question concretely. These other credentials are... well.. everything else such as what clubs & activities have you done? Research? Job Experience? Volunteer Experience? Those will really be the factors a masters program concerns themselves with. So, in short, the answer you hear everywhere on this forum "it depends."

I can be easier if you first break your interest in graduate school by casually asking them about their history or asking them for advice on schools. That's the way I let my boss' boss know, and now she's EAGER to help me school search. Oddly enough, she doesn't see me or work directly with me. So she just knows my work through the mounds of paperwork with my name on it! By talking about the schools and programs, it also lets them know more information about your goals, etc for in the letter itself and helps them see how your current position has helped. Granted, I haven't told her my interest in moving away from the company and work specifically with kids. I just gloss over whether I'm leaving my job if I take classes... or after earning the degree. Only my direct boss knows that.

I would suggest following PsychGirl1's advice. First try to determine what you would LIKE to do. A PhD is a terrible process to begin if your not certain. There are more applicants than ever with fewer slots due to funding. So if you should even get into that prized slot, then decide you'll drop it, that's an even bigger waste to both you and the school. On the other hand, if you do go the route of an accredited master's program with a thesis, you'll be on the road to a Ph. D (especially if you go to a school you may potentially want your PhD from), you'll get the experience you want, and determine if it's something you do actually have the motivation for. For some people straight to PhD really is the answer, but really only if you have a certain research focus and want to be in academia. Otherwise, I'd always suggest the masters to build credentials. And another way to look at it, you graduate with your PhD. cool. Where are you getting hired? Most clinics don't LIKE to hire PhD's because of money issues. Start your own place immediately? How wide is your clientele going to be when they find out your graduated without a breadth of "worldly experience"? Especially when you'll be working primarily with adults, who will initially be older than you. Ageism is fun >.<

Of course! I'm glad if it can help.

If your idea it to just WORK in the field, you seriously should have gone for your Master's degree first. Because if you go for your Ph.D. you can actually be overqualified for the positions and you'll be unhire-able by most companies/schools. And that's not just a scare tactic they use. I currently work in mental health and my company won't look twice at doctoral candidates because they do not have the budget allocation/funding for Ph.D.'s. Where as their funding agencies give them money for certified master's degrees. While the masters is less prestigious, it's also typically less academia directed and can get you the type of applied experience that, not only do you love, but make you more versatile in the working community. And if you really want the PhD for namesake, first get into a job you love and THEN return to your PhD. Tuition reimbursement is an excellent incentive ;-)

Oh, wow, I'm surprised I didn't notice you state you wanted to do ABA as your final goal. You can also look at masters in Applied Behavioral Analysis instead of trying to go back for the certification later (a lot of them are joint programs). There are quite a few excellent programs for that. Also, if you do a general track, you may want a concentration in something like autism. ABA is currently considered "the method" to work with autism so it would hold more weight in the field.

When I was studying for my math section on the GRE, I used an online site for free assistance (with my other books). It breaks down the math portion into different types of problems whether arithmetic & algebra to data analysis. Frankly, I think this helped me more than the books I bought. I hope someone else out here can benefit from it: http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/gre/math_help.htm

Like Fuzzy mentioned above, it does depend on the type of program your interested in & where your work experience lies. For instance, if you want to work in a lab and your work experience is as a cashier, well the school really won't care. But, if you're interested in working with kids and worked at a summer camp - well, that will definitely matter. So, in general, keep the resume tailored for the experience. My suggestion, if your academia bound: 1. Education 2. Research 3. Presentations/Papers 4. Leadership Roles - especially in academia /Jobs/etc 5. Awards/Grants If you're going to graduate school to enter back into a direct job afterwards (and not heavy research oriented): 1. Education 2. RELEVANT work experience only 3. Research 4. Leadership Roles 5. Awards/Grants Both templates have the exact same information. But arrange the information that matters more to them closer to the top of the resume. Also, in general keep out any fluff information that just seems like you wanted to fill in the page more.

The timing will be cutting it very close. You need to anticipate about three weeks for those scores to be sent out again after they're processed at ETS. It should be doable, and luckily you already have scores to send otherwise. But, honestly, the attempt probably wouldn't be worth it. Most people don't jump that much in their GRE scores. And you actually do have solidly 'good' scores. For a PhD program, you are a bit on the lower end, but I was also told with my GPA of 3.42 it was still 'eligible'.. just needed strong recommendations which you say you have. And, either way, you definitely sound like a "competitive candidate" for a masters in the worst case scenario.

Yup. I live a hop, skip & a jump away along the eastern section of PA.

Hey, I was just wondering how many people here are returning to school for a Psychology graduate degree after time off "working" or just time off in general from their undergrad. How are you finding the experience? Are you grateful for the time off? Has it been benefiting your or become a hindrance on applications? For me, the experience has been good, but I've found it definitely a problem with my initial goal of becoming a professor and decided that it was time to change tactics, playing to strengths of working. I'm kinda more grateful for the break than anything else. It hasn't so much helped me "solidify" my interests, as it's helped feed into the desire to get the degree (I just can't sit still thinking direct care may be all I'll be doing with the rest of my life!)

If you can find something "more relevant" that would be fantastic and definitely improve your chances. Luckily, with the tutoring you're already showing a strong start.

No problem! I was ecstatic when I first found it.

I would say, yes. Work experience is actually one of the most important "flesh out" application factors- especially if you're aiming for a position in anything other than academia or research. Its components like your work experience that demonstrate more of who you are as a candidate. GPA and GREs are necessary for specific quotas for the department kidding work experience can sometimes negate it (One examples of this is University of Penn has a program in their M.Ed Psychology department that doesn't require the GREs as long as you have 3 years work experience), but otherwise are not really centered on.

In a search, I found a list of school that do not require taking the GRE for anyone interested. It's organized by various majors and specialties. http://ainsleydiduca.com/grad-schools-dont-require-gre/

Okay, so to answer your questions. 1. No ideas about the specifics as I'm not familiar with Carolina Schools. In general, you sound like a candidate for graduate school. Not a strong or weak one, but just an average candidate. If the schools you're applying to are incredibly choosy, you'll need to bump up the application. Though I would suggest it anyways. Schools are currently flooded with fresh graduates every year, so you want to make yourself as unique and a perfect fit for their program as possible. 2. With a master's program (especially school or general) research will not be a major Achille's Heel. It can only help though. So I'd say go for it. Especially if you tailor the research topics to your own or your programs. But far more important, I'd suggest a summer job with kids. 3. No, nine is not "too many" unless you feel the programs are not worth it. Most profs will suggest 9-10. One of mine said 5-6 was plenty as long as it's done intelligently. Choose carefully and only attend the ones that you really want & are a good fit for in your opinion. Also, keep money in mind. Sending out gres & app fees all cost. 4. Your anticipated scores are about average. They won't be a glowing component of your application, and even with name recognition, I doubt the difference it will make would be huge. Consider it a happy surprise if it does. Instead, demonstrate how you're a phenomenal choice elsewhere through your statement of purpose and LOR.

It will all depend on the specific programs. Some only look at one score, some neither, some all. Are you planning on masters or straight to PhD? The PhD typically only wants the top-tier research heavy, so while you'd have a shot make sure you have backups as well. Over all, your other qualifications do make you a solid candidate. I would suggest contacting the programs and specifically asking the administrative department how much the quantitative matters to them. You really should have no difficulty getting into a program as long as you choose the right ones.

Do you want an ethical dilemma based on research practices or direct care (working in a clinical/rehabilitation setting)?

I've taken the GREs twice because my math scores are horrendous, and realized that unless you have the time to devote to re-teaching yourself what you feel you may be lacking in, it's not really worth the headache. I'd suggest focusing on relationships with your recommenders and your personal statement. Also, look for a few programs that may not require the GRE if you feel that might be your Achilles heel. There are lot out there.

Hi! I'm looking at School & Mental Health Counseling at Lehigh University, University of Penn, Scranton U. , Chestnut Hill C. , Marywood U., and maybe Arcadia U. In the East Coast Candycrava?

Thanks for the input. I was thinking kind of the same thing.

So, I've been out of school for about three years, and would like to begin a research project. Though I'm having difficulty finding information on how to start this up. Would I have to go through a university? I'll be contacted a former professor (who's kind of a current mentor too) Or apply for IRB approval myself? Anyone have any tips or suggestions?

Just publications? Or presentations/conferences as well?

For each POI I sent a slightly different tailored e-mail. One of my e-mails was exactly: Dear Dr. (insert last name), I have my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Kutztown University of PA. I am currently looking at graduate schools to continue for my master's degree. My research interests are mainly in Moral Cognition and Neuroscience. I was wondering what your current focus is and if you would be accepting more research students for the Fall 2012 semester. Sincerely, my name I was hoping to start a regular correspondence with the POI, but at least I got a response saying yes, and she'll look for my app