Should I retake my GRE for a third time?

[tadams25]

I'm new to forums, so if this is in the wrong sections, I apologize!

I've managed to graduate undergrad, with a Bachelor's in Psychology at age 19. My cumulative GPA was a 3.78, and I was a member of my college's National Honor's Society, Psi Chi National Honor's Society, and other various clubs on campus. I completed an internship, and also, studied abroad for a semester...

...unfortunately, the GRE attacks me. I cannot seem to perform impressively. I took the GRE when I was 18, and scored:

Verbal: 340 (18%)

Quant: 440 (16%)

Analytical: 4.0 (48%)

...YUCK!

These scores have deterred me from applying to graduate schools, until I could re-take the test. I studied for a couple months, and by "study," I mean, I spent HOURS studying for WEEKS. So, I just took it again this past Wednesday, and received:

Verbal: 152 (56%)

Quant: 148 (44%)

Analytical: N/A, yet

Needless to say, even though the test has been revised, according to my percentile score, I drastically improved...? Unfortunately, my scores are STILL not impressive.

My question is, I suppose, is it worth the time and money to enroll in a class, and take the GRE for the THIRD time? Or - should I just settle with my current scores, and start applying to graduate schools. My dream is to one day obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology, but this field is extremely competitive, and I feel like graduate schools will have a look at my GRE scores, and toss my application, without considering my academic performance. Also, I don't know if it will look bad to have three GRE scores, even if the third one improves? I intend on applying to both PhD programs and Master's programs.

Does anyone have any suggestions, experiences, information....anything? I appreciate it SO much. I am insanely passionate about my education and schooling, and I'd really like to achieve my goals. Thank you!

Edited June 23, 2012 by tadams25

[TakeruK]

I don't know what scores you need. I just want to let you know about ETS' new "ScoreSelect" option for GRE scores. Starting July 2012, you can now choose to send (a) all your scores, ( your most recent score only, or © pick out one specific test date. You can only choose (a) or ( when picking your four free schools, but you can choose © if you pay for additional score reports (not sure if you have to pay extra for option c as well). After July 2012, this option is available for all tests taken in the past 5 years.

More information here: http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/scoreselect/

I'm not saying you need to retake or anything, or even that ScoreSelect is a good thing at all but in your case, it's definitely worth knowing about, so here is the info!

[R Deckard]

You might want to find out exactly what scores you need to be competitive and try to achieve them on practice exams before retaking the actual exam a second time.

You should probably start considering other options besides grad school as well.

Edited June 23, 2012 by R Deckard

[randompsychologist]

Congrats on the improvement--that is drastic and you worked HARD to do that.

First, the short answer-- yes... I would retake it especially given that schools don't have to see all your scores anymore thanks to the ScoreSelect option TakeruK just talked about. Unfortunately, the GRE is one of those weed out things at some places, and it is hard to get in the door without good scores. I was told 1200 (in the old format) was sort of an unoffical cut off but atleast a 1350 is what you would want to shoot for. I don't know how true that is so ask around. With the new scores, I have no idea what they're doing.

Now the longer answer:

I don't see you listing considerable research experience as one of the things going for you, and are you 19 now (that is young!)? Personally... I would hold off on applying to PhD programs and apply to masters programs right now and maybe not take the GREs right away. Your scores should get you into MA programs. You have so much time and so much potential. I have been told by some of my clinically inclined friends that they had a harder time getting into clinical programs if they tried straight out of undergrad (even at 22) partially because clinical programs like having older students. For example, at an interview at Northwestern that my friend was at a few months ago, the only two bits of information the interviewers had in front of them were the GRE scores and the DOB.

So, take some time off or get a masters, find your field of interest, do some research in your field of interest, go to conferences to present and make connections, do some more internship work, teach, and take some time to smell the roses . Also, connections matter so find out what you are interested in and start hanging out with those people! Apply to MA programs to work with people you like. I recently went to a lab dinner of a well-known researcher in my field, and almost all of the clinical PhD students he selected for the next cohort were either his own undergrad students or his former students' students. Obviously he trained his students well (I don't think students who impressed him would have had trouble getting in anywhere else) but, their connections were also extremely helpful.

So take the GREs again... just not right away, and don't go straight to the PhD. Good luck!