School Psychology ED.S worries

[TN_Bella]

After graduating, I've spent 2 years in Teach for America followed by another year of teaching at a different school with different methodologies (just to see the differences). Now I'm applying to grad school in school psychology. I feel so far removed from undergrad, and I'm finding it hard to believe I'm actually going to get into a top/mid tiered school. I took the GRE back in 2012 (junior year) and did poorly (151V and 143Q). GPA 3.5, higher if you just look at the last 60 hours. I'm retaking the GRE in November, and actually studying this time, however I've been out of school for so long I'm feeling somewhat cynical about how well I will perform. I have 1 profession reference from the professor I did research under in undergrad and 2 references from coaches/admin since I've been teaching. I don't feel like a dumb person, but these grad school applications are making me question if I really know enough to get in and do well. 

 

Any advice? Recommendations? "That was me and I got in!" statements?

[iphi]

Hi, current doc student in school psych here. I think you are going to be okay, but you will need to put some serious work into the process, starting with finding the right schools, and working on your GRE. PM me if you want some more personalized help!

[TN_Bella]

Thanks for the response, iphi! I'm only applying to 2 schools and this my come back to bite me later. One is my ideal program with a professor who is focused on social-emotional development which is my interest, but it's also a much more competitive program.  The other is in the town I'm currently living and working. It has much more lax admittance scores, and I could go there for my Ed.S and then potentially go to my dream school for Ph.D. As of now, my statement of purpose is pretty great. It has been proofed by quite a few graduate students as well as an admissions coordinator (acquaintance of mine, I'm not applying to her school). My letters of rec should be wonderful and personable. And I feel like all of my experience up until this point has led me into school psychology, specifically my dream school's program. So if I can get my scores to where they need to be so that they are actually looking at me and not just numbers, I feel like I should be all good.

[sackofcrap]

I think you will be fine. I would definitely try to improve that GRE verbal score as much as you can. I would suggest checking out a GRE book from the library and studying the vocabulary in it. The GRE verbal section especially can be very predictable. They tend to use the same words a lot, so it is definitely beneficial to study the specific words that they have in those GRE practice books. Your GPA is perfectly fine. Also, it is good that you have teaching experience. 

 

As far as top and mid tiered schools, I just find that kind of funny when it comes to this profession. I don't think there really is any way to say what is a top or mid tiered school in the field of school psychology at the EdS level. I have not seen any rankings for it or anything like that. Schools can be great in one thing and suck in other subjects. 

[Heavensmaiden]

 I think you will be fine. But in your personal statement really explain why you want to be a school psy. Dont just say because you want to help people put something unique. Something that they would remember you for.