GRE Scores for Clinical (re-take)?

[MsAmira]

I wrote the GRE a few weeks ago and initially I was pleased with my scores, I got:

 

156-V

150-Qt

5.0-AWA

 

But as I begun looking at the different averages for incoming students into various clinical programs I started getting a little uneasy. My scores aren't remarkable (aside for the written component) and my Math is low. The thing with me is that I've never been good at Math but I've excelled in all the stats courses I've done in university. I don't really want to invest the time and money into writing another GRE if it won't change my scores by much. I know that the GRE is only part of the application, but I'm unclear as to how much weight is placed on GRE scores (and if mine are too low)... 

 

Any feedback would be really appreciated!

[gellert]

The thing with GRE is that it can't get you in, but it can keep you out. As long as you meet the cutoff score for being considered, it's fine.  The only time being far above that cutoff starts to matter is when you're competing for graduate college-level fellowships.

 

That said, if your scores are below the averages for incoming students, I would retake.  Aim for the average score, but don't worry about being too much above that.  Either way, if you have good research experience and LORs, those are much more important than GRE!

[MsAmira]

The thing with GRE is that it can't get you in, but it can keep you out. As long as you meet the cutoff score for being considered, it's fine.  The only time being far above that cutoff starts to matter is when you're competing for graduate college-level fellowships.

 

That said, if your scores are below the averages for incoming students, I would retake.  Aim for the average score, but don't worry about being too much above that.  Either way, if you have good research experience and LORs, those are much more important than GRE!

 

Ok thanks so much When I prepared for my GRE, I put in a lot of effort! As in 110%, that's why I don't know if repeating the whole process will make much of a difference. I do have quite a bit of research and work experience along with volunteering and LOR. My GPA is also above the average of those admitted into clinical programs. I feel it balances out, but at the same time, I do find myself worrying because of how competitive the program is.

 

I have a clear idea of what I want to research, so that should hopefully help me with my personal statement. Do you have any other words of advice? I see that you got accepted in a clinical program. Congrats! 

[Applemiu]

Clinical programs are very competitive. If you are below average, you should retake, as gellert says (if that's possible). It's not fun, but better safe than sorry.

[Ceci]

If your GRE's are low then the rest of your package needs to be SUPER STRONG.  Excellent letters of recommendation, strong personal statement, research experience, clinical experience, and excellent undergraduate records.  It depends too if you're looking into masters, Ph.D., or Psy.D. programs.  For Masters level your current GRE scores may be okay, but for doctoral… you may want to re-take them.

Edited September 8, 2014 by agc

[MsAmira]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I decided to re-take my GREs. If I can bring up my Qt especially, I think it'll really help my application. Obviously, taking this exam a second time was the LAST thing I wanted, but going through all this feedback and after my own research, I've come to the conclusion that I have more to lose by no re-taking it. So here goes...

[MsAmira]

If your GRE's are low then the rest of your package needs to be SUPER STRONG.  Excellent letters of recommendation, strong personal statement, research experience, clinical experience, and excellent undergraduate records.  It depends too if you're looking into masters, Ph.D., or Psy.D. programs.  For Masters level your current GRE scores may be okay, but for doctoral… you may want to re-take them.

I'm looking into Masters programs in Canada, and Phd and Psy.D. programs in the States. But I decided to re-take the GRE, I realize how competitive the programs are and I think it may be best to redo the test... sigh...

[Epoh]

I wrote the GRE a few weeks ago and initially I was pleased with my scores, I got:

 

156-V

150-Qt

5.0-AWA

 

But as I begun looking at the different averages for incoming students into various clinical programs I started getting a little uneasy. My scores aren't remarkable (aside for the written component) and my Math is low. The thing with me is that I've never been good at Math but I've excelled in all the stats courses I've done in university. I don't really want to invest the time and money into writing another GRE if it won't change my scores by much. I know that the GRE is only part of the application, but I'm unclear as to how much weight is placed on GRE scores (and if mine are too low)... 

 

Any feedback would be really appreciated!

 

I've noticed for the clinical programs that interest me the 'average' has been right around 158/159 for both verbal and quantitative. That seems ridiculously high to me, but I've only just started studying for my GRE and maybe this is more than achievable I don't know. But honestly yours seem like reasonable scores that won't get you rejected, they just may not get you in, so let the rest of your application do the talking!

Edited September 12, 2014 by Epoh

[when]

In case this relieves the pressure a bit, I'll use myself as a case study, but of course you should be aware that this is just one person's experience.

 

I did really well on my verbal and pretty well on my analytical writing, but extremely poorly on quantitative (as in 25th percentile poorly). I got A+s in both my stats courses and my undergrad GPA was 4.0. I held a research scholarship in undergrad and worked in a number of labs. I won several academic awards throughout undergrad, as well as an award for my thesis. I was involved in many extracurricular activities, sat on committees, was very involved with the faculty etc. I had one poster and one conference presentation, but no publications. I'm sure my letters of reference were good, though of course I did not see them. I applied to the same school I did undergrad in for clinical psychology and got accepted with external funding. BUT a LOT of it was down to luck and connections. My supervisor knew me and believed in my potential. Even so, getting in was tough - I was on a waiting list. Also, the only other school I applied did not even offer me an interview.

 

Again, this was just my experience, but I would also add that I know several other students with very poor quantitative scores, plus faculty members who scoff at the idea that the GRE even predicts performance in grad school (which research shows it does not).