Should I Apply for the upcoming Fall?

[MJK]

So.....I just found out what I got on GRE I took last month....

The contry I am in only adminsters GRE twice a year and it's paper based....obviously I only had one shot for GRE if I wanted to apply for Fall semester. Didn't really have time to study and thought I was going to score somewhere around 300s.

Okay so here's the thing...I want to apply for Masters in Social Psych and I want to know what you guys think.

I have cumulative GPA of 2.86 but if I calculate all the transfer credits in (courses I took during summer at some other colleges) I think I have about 3.2. I also have 3.4 for the last two years. I took like 51 credits of psychology and worked as an RA when I was an undergrad. I got my bachelor degree at a pretty reputative school so I hope that factors in. I am working as an RA right now as well at a university in this country. I've got some experiences in counseling and other internships. I did write a research paper when I was an undergrad (though not thesis or published). Finally, GRE score is V 420 Q590 W 3.5. I already got recommendation letters so that's settled.

So should I apply or not? I seriously do not want to waste my time and money if I don't stand a chance. Rather I would try to get some more research experiences and take the GRE again (hopefully computer-based since I heard it's easier to get a higher score) and apply for the next upcoming year. I'm also considering taking additional research courses or doing a postbac program at university. Obvioulsy I'm not looking at very competitive schools but am looking at schools that I could earn MA degree in(schools like San Fran State University). I want to improve my credientials while doing masters and hopefully apply for great schools for PhD. Please help me decide. Any comments would be great =)

Thanks!!

Edited November 23, 2009 by MJK

[modernity]

So.....I just found out what I got on GRE I took last month....

The contry I am in only adminsters GRE twice a year and it's paper based....obviously I only had one shot for GRE if I wanted to apply for Fall semester. Didn't really have time to study and thought I was going to score somewhere around 300s.

Okay so here's the thing...I want to apply for Masters in Social Psych and I want to know what you guys think.

I have cumulative GPA of 2.86 but if I calculate all the transfer credits in (courses I took during summer at some other colleges) I think I have about 3.2. I also have 3.4 for the last two years. I took like 51 credits of psychology and worked as an RA when I was an undergrad. I got my bachelor degree at a pretty reputative school so I hope that factors in. I am working as an RA right now as well at a university in this country. I've got some experiences in counseling and other internships. I did write a research paper when I was an undergrad (though not thesis or published). Finally, GRE score is V 420 Q590 W 3.5. I already got recommendation letters so that's settled.

So should I apply or not? I seriously do not want to waste my time and money if I don't stand a chance. Rather I would try to get some more research experiences and take the GRE again (hopefully computer-based since I heard it's easier to get a higher score) and apply for the next upcoming year. I'm also considering taking additional research courses or doing a postbac program at university. Obvioulsy I'm not looking at very competitive schools but am looking at schools that I could earn MA degree in(schools like San Fran State University). I want to improve my credientials while doing masters and hopefully apply for great schools for PhD. Please help me decide. Any comments would be great =)

Thanks!!

I do not know anything about your field...and I also know that if you're a non native speaker they tend to go easier on you with GRE verbal/AW scores...but I would say that you may have a tough time. If you don't need funding, and you're comfortable going to a school that is further down on the list - you have a shot. I also don't know if I would recommend schools in places like San Fran as California(n) Schools (and others, really - in any of the states that took large economic hits here in the US) are in some cases not accepting any students for some programs, and only a few for others....and funding is definitely sparse if you need it.