Rate my chances for....Duke

[Nessie]

Ok, so I'm an overseas student and whilst I've looked at university rankings and what not, I'm still not sure about the level needed for some US schools. I'm applying for a phd in psychology and Duke is my top choice, but I'm not sure if my application is realistic, especially given my GRE scores....In a nutshell my stats are:

GRE: 690V, 660Q

BSc (2:1) (But a v.high 2:1, converts to roughly A- I believe)

MSc (with distinction)

4 LoR, 3 from top professors in field

2 research dissertations in area of study

I messed up the quant section of the GRE, but don't have time to retake before deadlines. So, opinions welcome. I'd rather prepare myself for disappointment if I'm aiming too high and maybe think of some more back-ups!! Thanks!

[TheDude]

Your numbers look fine depending on the program. If you are applying to clinical the focus on the GRE is much tougher.

Ok, so I'm an overseas student and whilst I've looked at university rankings and what not, I'm still not sure about the level needed for some US schools. I'm applying for a phd in psychology and Duke is my top choice, but I'm not sure if my application is realistic, especially given my GRE scores....In a nutshell my stats are:

GRE: 690V, 660Q

BSc (2:1) (But a v.high 2:1, converts to roughly A- I believe)

MSc (with distinction)

4 LoR, 3 from top professors in field

2 research dissertations in area of study

I messed up the quant section of the GRE, but don't have time to retake before deadlines. So, opinions welcome. I'd rather prepare myself for disappointment if I'm aiming too high and maybe think of some more back-ups!! Thanks!

[schoolpsych_hopeful]

I agree with musicforfun, it sort of depends on the program. Clinical obviously places much more emphasis on GRE because of the large number of applications they receive. Below are the median GRE scores for Duke from the APA GradStudy website, along with the acceptance rates. Hope you find it helpful.

Program Scores/GPAs:

Clinical Psychology – PhD Scores

GRE-V 620

GRE-Q 730

GRE-Writing 5.0

GRE-Subj (Psyc) 700

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.8

Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience – PhD Scores

GRE-V 720

GRE-Q 800

GRE-Writing 6.0

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.9

Developmental Psychology – PhD Scores

GRE-V 675

GRE-Q 695

GRE-Writing 4.5

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.7

Social Psychology – PhD Scores

GRE-V 703

GRE-Q 743

GRE-Writing 5.6

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.9

Systems & Integrative Neuroscience – PhD Scores

GRE-V 620

GRE-Q 680

GRE-Writing 4.7

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.9

Student Applications/Admissions:

Student Applications:

Clinical Psychology

Applications 2009-2010 241

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 10

Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience

Applications 2009-2010 58

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 6

Developmental Psychology

Applications 2009-2010 43

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 5

JD/MA Social and Health Sciences

Applications 2009-2010 4

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 4

Social Psychology

Applications 2009-2010 76

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 4

Systems & Integrative Neuroscience

Applications 2009-2010 25

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 6

Edited November 2, 2010 by schoolpsych_hopeful

[TheDude]

Hey Schoolpsych,

Is that website helpful? I used the APA grad school big book to pick programs. However, I've noticed in the last 3 years most schools aren't reporting GRE scores.

Either:

1- It generates more revenue to have people apply to programs for which they will never be admitted.

2- Less emphasis is being placed on that?

I agree with musicforfun, it sort of depends on the program. Clinical obviously places much more emphasis on GRE because of the large number of applications they receive. Below are the median GRE scores for Duke from the APA GradStudy website, along with the acceptance rates. Hope you find it helpful.

Program Scores/GPAs:

Clinical Psychology – PhD Scores

GRE-V 620

GRE-Q 730

GRE-Writing 5.0

GRE-Subj (Psyc) 700

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.8

Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience – PhD Scores

GRE-V 720

GRE-Q 800

GRE-Writing 6.0

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.9

Developmental Psychology – PhD Scores

GRE-V 675

GRE-Q 695

GRE-Writing 4.5

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.7

Social Psychology – PhD Scores

GRE-V 703

GRE-Q 743

GRE-Writing 5.6

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.9

Systems & Integrative Neuroscience – PhD Scores

GRE-V 620

GRE-Q 680

GRE-Writing 4.7

Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.9

Student Applications/Admissions:

Student Applications:

Clinical Psychology

Applications 2009-2010 241

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 10

Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience

Applications 2009-2010 58

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 6

Developmental Psychology

Applications 2009-2010 43

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 5

JD/MA Social and Health Sciences

Applications 2009-2010 4

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 4

Social Psychology

Applications 2009-2010 76

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 4

Systems & Integrative Neuroscience

Applications 2009-2010 25

Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 6

[schoolpsych_hopeful]

Hey Schoolpsych,

Is that website helpful? I used the APA grad school big book to pick programs. However, I've noticed in the last 3 years most schools aren't reporting GRE scores.

Either:

1- It generates more revenue to have people apply to programs for which they will never be admitted.

2- Less emphasis is being placed on that?

I find it helpful. The GRE scores aren't always the most recent (I think the ones I posted were from the 2008-09 application season). But it's still helpful to get a general idea of what scores schools expect/have accepted in the past. TBH I find acceptance rate to be a better indicator of how competitive any given program is.