Overall, I'd like to get advice. I applied this year to 8 schools. My plan was to apply for 15 but I ended up slashing that number in half to focus on schools that had a good research match for me and that I could reasonably complete before the deadline.
GPA: 3.3, 3 years of Undergrad research experience, Thesis with undergrad mentor, 7 years of post-undergrad research experience in clinical and research organizations for TBI and PTSD, 1 poster presentation award, 11 poster presentations, 2 publications - co-author, 3 letters of recommendation from research psychologists. My GRE, I think was my downfall; I was doing well during the practice tests with scoring 160 in verbal and 150 in Quantitative, but on testing day I got 145 Q and 150 verbal. I would like some advice for next year's application cycle. I think increasing my test scores may help, but any other constructive advice would be appreciated! Thank you 🙂
It looks like you have the research side very well covered, so the main variables impeding your progress are likely your GRE scores, GPA, and application style. These issues are very fixable.
You definitely need to retake the GRE. Since there's such a large disparity between your practice and official scores, you need to look into why this is happening. Maybe you should try different practice tests to see if the ones you took were overestimating your performance. Barring that, scrutinize your test-taking style. Do you get anxious while taking the test? Do you run out of time before finishing the tests? Are there certain areas in which you are weaker than others and should spend more time studying and more time completing during the test? Conversely, should you focus on your strengths and maximize your scores in those areas to make up for your weaker areas? Are standardized tests just not your "thing," not matching your achievement in other areas, e.g., research?
For your GPA, it's not terrible, by any means, but even if you improve your GRE score, it may still hold you back. One solution would be to attend a terminal master's program, especially if it involves completing a research thesis. Through completing one of these programs, you demonstrate your aptitude at graduate-level coursework and get even more research experience than you already have.
Once you have these covered, you're left with you application style. Applying to eight programs is not bad, but your original plan for 15 would likely have helped. You didn't mention this in your post, but if you didn't diversify the programs to which you applied, that should be the next step. You want your applications to be diverse in terms of geography—don't just apply to the coasts and other very popular areas—and selectiveness (look up program stats and spread your applications across various acceptance rates).
Beyond applying to more programs and with more diversity, focus on your letters of recommendation (LOR) and personal statements. Your LOR's should be absolutely glowing, not just "good." This is where doing a master's program and forming relationships with more faculty members can help if you don't already have great LORs. For your personal statements, have multiple people proofread them, though not just for grammar and punctuation. Make sure your statements don't commit the "Kisses of Death," but also make sure you strike the right balance of personal vs. professional. You don't want a generic statement that looks like everyone else's, but it should also be professional and well-crafted.
Good luck!
