HIGH GPA/LOW GRE for I/O Psy Ph.D

[olivia1987]

Does a high GPA compensate for a low GRE? I took the GRE 3 times, studied for months and of course did well on practice tests. HOWEVER, my problem was that whenever I got to the test center I was not able to overcome my test anxiety and did poor every time.

My score is 1140: 620 verbal 520 math.

GPA: 3.97

This frustrates me since my math score actually went down and on practice tests it was 700 or above. I am already taking a graduate practicum on applied I/O research at Arizona State, working on a thesis, and have presented at 2 conferences. I also have other various research assistant experience. I am very discouraged that this GRE will overshadow my application. Can anyone offer my words of hope? I know on Stanford's website it says they have no min GPA or GRE. I find that hard to believe.

Of course I am still applying, I just don't know that I will ever be able to overcome this mediocre GRE situation...Any suggestions?

[Nofia]

I think you need to let it go--you've taken the test 3 times, and since your test anxiety has not diminished there is no reason to assume trying again would make any difference. Besides, GRE scores are not the most important factor in an application--they may be one of the least important factors actually. Your GPA is good, so make sure you write a compelling SOP that makes your fit with each individual school very clear, get outstanding LORs, and submit the best writing sample you can. Those are the important things, and since those are the factors over which you have the most control, do your best with those and just let your concern about your GRE scores go. Even if your scores were in the 700s, you'd have absolutely no guarantee of getting in anywhere. Its the other stuff that counts.

[uberskooper]

While I not an expert on grad school admission, I have read quite a bit about it. This topic is interesting to me as we are in the same field.

My situation is in a way the opposite of yours. I have a relatively low GPA (3.34) and a decent GRE score (1310) for the schools I am applying to. Your score will hurt the most at programs that automatically junk anyone below a certain score. Even if they say there are no minimums, some schools get so many applicants that they make cuts almost immediatly. A grad student at Wright State told me that a min of 1200 GRE will get your application looked at.

Once you get passed that, things you actually did (research, conferences, teaching, publications) weigh more heavily. Your credentials are good otherwise. Don't worry too much about and explain the reason for your score in your SOP. That's what I did.