Advice/Prospects/Vandy

[SUgrad]

First off, thanks for reading. I'm scheduled to take the GRE in early June and would like advice about where to go from here. Several years ago I took the GRE cold, hoping to apply to a local program. Those results were a 162(v), 146(q) and 4.5 (aw). While these were good enough to secure a spot in an M.Ed program, I would like to improve them before applying for my Ph.D.

 

My top school is Vanderbilt; Peabody has a degree in Leadership and Policy Studies that is very attractive. They also have an Ed.D that would be a nice fall back option. Outside of these choices, I'm very open. My wife and I grew up in TN and have family in Alabama, but could be willing to move if the shoe fit.

 

So...

1) Considering my goal, how should I prepare? Should I focus exclusively on quant? What's the threshold I'm looking to reach?

2) Outside of Vanderbilt, what are some other options for a comparable Ph.D.?

 

Thank you again.

 

[SUgrad]

An addendum. Not sure how much this matters, but I see many posts include other details:

 

3.9 undergrad GPA (English)

M.Ed from a regional college

TFA alumnus, taught middle school for the past three years

[midnight]

1. Check the programs' sites. Some will emphasize grades and experience over the GRE; some will give you expected minimum scores.

 

You should definitely focus on quant, but I suggest practicing verbal as well by taking complete practice tests. Like you, I scored the equivalent of 162 on the verbal the first time I took the GRE, and I "studied" verbal exclusively through practice for my retake. The new GRE was less stressful for me than the old one, and the new verbal format seemed easier. Although my verbal score only increased to 164, that's in the 93rd percentile, so I was more than fine with it.

 

2. You'll find better answers to this question in the education subforum, but it seems like many fall 2013 Vanderbilt applicants also applied to Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, UCLA, and Penn.

[lilgreycells]

Definitely check out the Education threads for the institutions that other people applied to along with Vandy. I took the old GRE so I'm probably not as helpful in that regard. As far as Vandy is concerned at least it's generally just a gateway, not something that makes or breaks a decision. I did apply to Vandy and get admitted for entering in the fall of 2012 so PM if you had any questions along that line.

Good luck with your search!