What are my chances?

[speechbeach]

I am feeling very discouraged about the graduate school application process right now. Last month I took the GRE and received a 140 in Quant and a 145 in Verbal, and a 3.0 in writing. I was shocked by the writing score as I consider myself to be a very strong writer. I spent most of November studying to retake the GRE and got my scores back a few days ago and did WORSE. My writing scores from this time around are not in yet. I am majoring in CSD and have secured 3 letters of rec from professors and my GPA is around a 3.5, so will that better my chances of getting in somewhere? I'm currently applying to 6 schools that are not super competitive, and none of them have cut off GRE scores. Is it even worth applying? I'm very passionate about becoming an SLP and have written a pretty strong personal statement. Standardized test taking has never been a strong suit for me, and I don't want it to hinder my chances of being considered.  I want to remain optimistic but it's hard seeing all of these posts.  Any guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated. 

[Rising]

Hello speechbeach,

I am not an expert in your field nor in the admission procedures, however, if it would make you feel better, I am applying to Harvard with a mediocre V/Q/AWA scores. I realize my GRE scores are not very impressive but I am confident that there's more than that. I am confident that the admission committee will be able to appreciate the rest of my application. Every person has strong sides, just try to highlight yours. =)  I am sorry if this post is a bit vague, I hope someone from your field will be able to share his views on this and will be more helpful than me.

Good luck and try to remain optimistic!

Edited December 12, 2015 by Rising

[scisl006]

It is DEFINITELY still worth applying. A 3.5 is not a bad GPA and the GRE is just one part of the application process. Most schools will take all things into account when selecting applicants. In addition, if you are really worried about the GRE, there are some schools that don't even require it. I'm not sure where you are looking but I know my undergrad university, the University of Minnesota Duluth doesn't even want you to send in GRE scores because they realize it doesn't reflect what someone is actually capable of in this field. Good luck! Definitely still apply.

[speechbeach]

Thank you scisl006 for the encouraging words! Do you know which schools in particular don't require the GRE or put a lot of emphasis on it? I have already requested letters of rec from professors so if the school is on CSDCAS I can still apply to those if anyone knows of any! 

[thespeechblog.com]

Hey SpeechBeach, DEFINITELY still apply! People with stats lower than yours have gotten into grad school. 

So your GRE´s are below average. They´re only ONE part of your application. Your GPA (which is good!) is much more important. 

Edited December 30, 2015 by fuzzylogician
Edited to remove advertisement and link

[HopefulFutureSLP2016]

My stats are similar to yours, although your GPA is lightly higher! I am applying to about 13 schools that seemed more likely to accept a candidate like me to better by chances. Hopefully we'll get in somewhere!

[speechbeach]

Thanks for the positive responses everyone! I am definitely going ahead and applying so we will just have to see! Good luck to you all  

[thespeechblog.com]

You can do it  

[mr479]

Wow! And you just got your first acceptance! That's great. And to think, I was on here screaming at another applicant before with your same stats saying that she was wasting her $$$ on applications when she should be spending it on GRE prep. Well, I was wrong! I was wrong. I was wrong. May the universe forgive me. 

Again, CONGRATULATIONS! 

 

[Jolie717]

35 minutes ago, Pennsatucky said:

Wow! And you just got your first acceptance! That's great. And to think, I was on here screaming at another applicant before with your same stats saying that she was wasting her $$$ on applications when she should be spending it on GRE prep. Well, I was wrong! I was wrong. I was wrong. May the universe forgive me. 

Again, CONGRATULATIONS! 

 

Confused...?

[mr479]

38 minutes ago, Jolie717 said:

Confused...?

The original poster here sent me a PM that they were accepted to one of their schools. Yay! 

 

Edited March 19, 2016 by Pennsatucky

[Jolie717]

11 minutes ago, Pennsatucky said:

The original poster here sent me a PM that they were accepted to one of their schools. Yay! 

That's awesome!!! For some reason I can't type below...  Congrats to the OP!!!  ???

Edited March 19, 2016 by Jolie717

[hopefulspeechie16]

On December 11, 2015 at 2:07 PM, speechbeach said:

I am feeling very discouraged about the graduate school application process right now. Last month I took the GRE and received a 140 in Quant and a 145 in Verbal, and a 3.0 in writing. I was shocked by the writing score as I consider myself to be a very strong writer. I spent most of November studying to retake the GRE and got my scores back a few days ago and did WORSE. My writing scores from this time around are not in yet. I am majoring in CSD and have secured 3 letters of rec from professors and my GPA is around a 3.5, so will that better my chances of getting in somewhere? I'm currently applying to 6 schools that are not super competitive, and none of them have cut off GRE scores. Is it even worth applying? I'm very passionate about becoming an SLP and have written a pretty strong personal statement. Standardized test taking has never been a strong suit for me, and I don't want it to hinder my chances of being considered.  I want to remain optimistic but it's hard seeing all of these posts.  Any guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Do you mind PM me where you got in? I have low GRE scores as well. 

[speechbeach]

Thank you so much! This just goes to show that you should NEVER give up! I wish the best to other applicants with low stats