How important is psych GRE score?

[lafresca]

Hey all,

I have applied to 11 Social Psych programs. For 10/11 of the programs, the Psych GRE is optional. I didn't do so well on the test, and was wondering whether this would have an effect on admission to any of these programs, given that the test IS optional. I did pretty well on the general GRE...

Thanks!!!!!

[neuropsych76]

Hey all,

I have applied to 11 Social Psych programs. For 10/11 of the programs, the Psych GRE is optional. I didn't do so well on the test, and was wondering whether this would have an effect on admission to any of these programs, given that the test IS optional. I did pretty well on the general GRE...

Thanks!!!!!

If it was optional and you didn't do well I wouldn't even put it as part of your application. Especially if you did really poorly. If you have a good psych GPA they might think the psych GRE score is an aberration but I don't see how it could help you.

[psychapplicant2011]

I've talked with several psychologists who regularly sit on admission committees. While there does not seem to be a consensus concerning the importance of the psych GRE score, the following are the type of responses I received:

from a social psych admissions chair at an Ivy: "They don't mean [explicit]. ... We don't even look at them."

from a developmental psychologists at an average state school: "Good scores could help put you over the top. I really recommend taking the psych GRE. Bad scores shouldn't hurt too much."

from a cognitive psychologists from an average state school: "Don't waste your time. No one looks at them."

from a neuro-cognitive psychologist from an average state school: "We look at the scores, but they don't mean too much. Sometimes when we see a really high score, we wonder if the applicant wasted a lot of time studying for the exam rather than focusing on more important things."

from a social psychologists at a good state program: "It really depends on the program. In general, clinical and developmental psych tracks care more about the scores than others."

from a social psychologists at an above average state program: "I recommend taking the test. Our program looks at the score as one factor among many. A good score can definitely put you over the top. ... However, it is true that not all social psych programs look closely at the scores."

Yeah, I asked a lot of people about taking the exam. I went ahead and took it. I figured it might help but probably would hurt (I say this knowing I was fairly confident that I would do at least decent). How much will a bad score hurt you? Well, according to many that I talked to, the scores probably won't help or hurt. However, I cannot help but think that if one at least glances at the score, it could make a difference on the margins. (Again, does "on the margins" transfer into any kind of meaningful effect in at least some cases?)

[lafresca]

Thanks to both of you. I definitely feel a lot better after reading your thorough comment, psychapplicant2011. I know that the psych GRE is but one factor that may (or may not) contribute to an admissions decision. I also know that my overall application is fairly strong. However, I was just being a bit panicky and nit-picky about a semi-poor psych GRE score. Thank you, thank you, thank you though!

[TheDude]

I didn't bother even taking them. My psych GPA was a 3.9 and I've been involved heavily with research, conference work and manuscript work.

I guess we'll see in a couple weeks if it bites me in the ass.

[neuropsych76]

I didn't bother even taking them. My psych GPA was a 3.9 and I've been involved heavily with research, conference work and manuscript work.

I guess we'll see in a couple weeks if it bites me in the ass.

I have the same thoughts on this.

And as psychapplicant said, a lot of professors do not even value it that much.

I'd only take it if I wasn't a psych major, or several schools I was applying to required it (and few do).

[TheDude]

I have the same thoughts on this.

And as psychapplicant said, a lot of professors do not even value it that much.

I'd only take it if I wasn't a psych major, or several schools I was applying to required it (and few do).

Ya, I think that the test is totally pointless for psychology majors. From what I gather a cursory read of an intro to psych book will put you above the average. I don't see how it would put an applicant over the edge in any situation. If you were not a psych major I think you have a lot more working against you that a good psych GRE score won't make up for.

I personally refused to let ETS soak me for any more cash in this whole process. I tallied the whole application process up and with school fees, taking the GRE twice, sending scores then having to send materials priority that some how never magically made it to the schools the first time I sent them, I'm up at about 1000$.

I wondered why when I was staring at my bank account I was so broke and for the first time I was carrying a credit card balance ( I never have to do that). Now I'm wondering how I am going to save enough money for apartment fees in the event I want to move to a school and potentially start some classes in the summer, which is going to be the case for a couple that are MA/Ph.D track programs.

So, there were bigger fish to fry for me other than paying for the psych GRE and worrying about it.

Edited December 31, 2010 by musicforfun