Low GRE score for Psy.D. HELP :(

[JMellow]

Hi everyone, 

I am new to this whole blog and website and just really need some solid advice. I am applying to Nova Southeastern University for the Psy.D. program with a few other Master's as a back-up. I am pretty much discouraged to even finish my application at this point because I took the GRE (for the 3rd time) and got a combined score of 293. (Verbal-150, Quant: 143, AW: 4.0) I know this is a low score and is not competitive enough. I was hoping some other aspects of my application would come in and save me from the rejection pile. They have a strong "preference" for a GRE score of 297 or above.

A little info on myself: 

-3.72 GPA

-Over 3 years of research experience. Started as an Undergraduate RA, was hired as the assessment specialist for my lab and am now the research coordinator for the new grant. 

-I was a counselor for an intensive 8-week intervention program for children who were obese and at risk for comorbid disorders such as depression, anxiety etc. This totaled out to over 340 hours of clinical work. 

-3 very strong letters of recommendation

I appreciate honesty and any advice you have to offer. I am retaking the GRE in December one last time, but I fear there won't be a huge change in my score. 

Edited November 3, 2016 by JMellow

[mr_r]

Hi. Not too familiar with the program to which you're applying, but I do live down the road.  I see on the admissions site that the GRE Psych exam is optional. Do you think you can (or have you already) nailed that exam? If so, that would likely allay some of the concerns that they may have with your Verbal + Quant  scores. Also, could you focus just on improving the math? Studying for both at once may be too trying on your time, but with your respectable AWA and near-50th percentile verbal, and solid in-field experience, the quant is the biggest blight in your record. The ETS has a math book that looks pretty good. 

[JMellow]

Hey thanks for responding!

I spoke to them at the open house and they said that the GRE psych is mostly for people who didn't major in psych and don't have all the psych credits. I'm going to retake it in a month and focus solely on math until then. I'm actually good at math, I have A's in calculus 1 and 2. Along with all the stats as well. it's in my transcripts. It just sucks, I've been battling this stupid test for so long. I just know these other applicants are so much more competitive.

[coffeecupanalogy]

On 11/6/2016 at 7:33 AM, JMellow said:

Hey thanks for responding!

I spoke to them at the open house and they said that the GRE psych is mostly for people who didn't major in psych and don't have all the psych credits. I'm going to retake it in a month and focus solely on math until then. I'm actually good at math, I have A's in calculus 1 and 2. Along with all the stats as well. it's in my transcripts. It just sucks, I've been battling this stupid test for so long. I just know these other applicants are so much more competitive.

If you still have a month to prepare I seriously recommend to follow the 1 month study plan from Magoosh  it really helps with math. Also try to study a bit of pre-algebra to understand the concepts better  it's all about practice for the quant section.

[JMellow]

So update: 

I took it again a month later and scored a 304. 

[Yanaka]

Wow, congrats!!

5 hours ago, JMellow said:

So update: 

I took it again a month later and scored a 304. 

 

[alewis25]

On ‎12‎/‎20‎/‎2016 at 11:20 AM, JMellow said:

So update: 

I took it again a month later and scored a 304. 

I came across your post recently. Congrats on improving your GRE scores! I am applying to a master's program in Clinical Psychology. I will be taking my GRE in 2 weeks, but I am worried that I will not do so well. So far, my verbal practice scores are better than my quantitative because the time gets the best of me. Could you offer some advice for me to improve my scores. Currently, my overall score is ranging from a 290-300 (however, this is only practice). I have only been studying for a month with over 1000 hours put in. I just wish I can improve my time on the quantitative so that I don't have to guess for most of the answers.

[JMellow]

Hi I'm sorry I just saw this. Basically all I really did was focus on my weakness which was math. I eat slept and drank math every day for a month. I even brushed my teeth for 1.5 minutes because I wanted my brain to adjust to the time it should take to answer a question. I also suffer from anxiety and took a small amount of medication to help me.