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B.S. in Psychology, Low GRE - What should I do about a Masters?
- Thread starter windycity116
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Antonyms:
1. MERCURIAL
A: flighty
B: subversive
C: innocuous
D: tranquil
E: divested
2. PROLOGUE
A: decalogue
B: travelogue
C: ideologue
D: epilogue
E: analog
3. SPARTAN
A: decadent
B: teutonic
C: slavish
D: autonomous
E: interdependent
4. ACRID
A: rancid
B: viscous
C: sweet
D: livid
E: obsequious
5. EUPHONY
A: melody
B: cacophony
C: entropy
D: apostrophe
E: density
I'm curious as to how long it took you to read the entire dictionary before taking this 'assessment'. Fun stuff.
1. MERCURIAL
A: flighty
B: subversive
C: innocuous
D: tranquil
E: divested
2. PROLOGUE
A: decalogue
B: travelogue
C: ideologue
D: epilogue
E: analog
3. SPARTAN
A: decadent
B: teutonic
C: slavish
D: autonomous
E: interdependent
4. ACRID
A: rancid
B: viscous
C: sweet
D: livid
E: obsequious
5. EUPHONY
A: melody
B: cacophony
C: entropy
D: apostrophe
E: density
I'm curious as to how long it took you to read the entire dictionary before taking this 'assessment'. Fun stuff.
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If you're attending a master's program that does not require the GRE, then you are very well likely going to be receiving a subpar education. Even if this does not matter to you and the degree is all that matters, then you will be spending a considerable amount of money for that piece of paper.
If you still want to pursue a doctorate afterward, then it remains that you have to retake the GRE. How do you plan on increasing your scores? Are you prepared to consider your master's degree a mere stepping stone (if that) as you are required to retake most of your courses, if not all of them, if you do manage to get accepted into a doctoral program?
In the meantime, your GPA is not especially stellar for doctoral admissions. Please note that I did not say it was 'bad,' simply not particularly competitive in a field where everyone wants to stand out from the crowd (particularly for a "top notch PhD program"). You also do not mention any other extracurricular activities, especially research, that you have participated in to make yourself a competitive applicant. Why would they choose you over the hundreds of other applicants applying to their program? A mere love of school, learning, and being a student isn't going to be adequate to gain you admission.
You may want to speak with your academic advisor or a trusted professor at your university. Does your university offer grad-level courses in the psych dept? You may be able to take these classes as a "student at large," which does not require that you be admitted into the graduate program and provides you with some experience and expectations of graduate level work. What is your research experience? You need something there, or the vast majority of doctoral programs will chunk your application in the bin immediately without any further consideration.
If you are determined to apply for a master's and then pursue a doctoral program afterward, I would look for programs that provide me with the opportunity to obtain research experience--ESPECIALLY if you have none at the present time. Heck, even if you do have experience, I still would look for programs that offer this as an opportunity, as it can only bolster your application, which will need it.
G'luck.
If you still want to pursue a doctorate afterward, then it remains that you have to retake the GRE. How do you plan on increasing your scores? Are you prepared to consider your master's degree a mere stepping stone (if that) as you are required to retake most of your courses, if not all of them, if you do manage to get accepted into a doctoral program?
In the meantime, your GPA is not especially stellar for doctoral admissions. Please note that I did not say it was 'bad,' simply not particularly competitive in a field where everyone wants to stand out from the crowd (particularly for a "top notch PhD program"). You also do not mention any other extracurricular activities, especially research, that you have participated in to make yourself a competitive applicant. Why would they choose you over the hundreds of other applicants applying to their program? A mere love of school, learning, and being a student isn't going to be adequate to gain you admission.
You may want to speak with your academic advisor or a trusted professor at your university. Does your university offer grad-level courses in the psych dept? You may be able to take these classes as a "student at large," which does not require that you be admitted into the graduate program and provides you with some experience and expectations of graduate level work. What is your research experience? You need something there, or the vast majority of doctoral programs will chunk your application in the bin immediately without any further consideration.
If you are determined to apply for a master's and then pursue a doctoral program afterward, I would look for programs that provide me with the opportunity to obtain research experience--ESPECIALLY if you have none at the present time. Heck, even if you do have experience, I still would look for programs that offer this as an opportunity, as it can only bolster your application, which will need it.
G'luck.
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I disagree with Paramour about subpar schools not requiring the GRE. You can find Master level programs without taking the GRE that are fantastic.
If you want to do a Doc pragram though, you will have to take the GRE and score 1200+. I don't think the GRE really shows how capable someone is, it's more a measure of how much someone is willing to study. Anyone can get 1200+ with enough effort. You seem like someone that is highly motivated. You said the last year of school is just geneds right? Take that extra time and put it towards GRE prep and getting research experience. Boom. All of the sudden you're a competitive candidate.
If you want to do a Doc pragram though, you will have to take the GRE and score 1200+. I don't think the GRE really shows how capable someone is, it's more a measure of how much someone is willing to study. Anyone can get 1200+ with enough effort. You seem like someone that is highly motivated. You said the last year of school is just geneds right? Take that extra time and put it towards GRE prep and getting research experience. Boom. All of the sudden you're a competitive candidate.
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Re-read. I said "very well likely." Yes, she may be able to find the programs, but I doubt there are tons of them out there. Ones that do exist likely are still going to cost a pretty penny to boot. And, again, she still has to take that cursed GRE at some point, whether now or later, if she wants to pursue a doctoral program afterward.
If that's the route she wants to go, then I have nothing against it. She's simply going to have to do the legwork to find the program that works best for her and her needs. Many of them will not.
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If you're attending a master's program that does not require the GRE, then you are very well likely going to be receiving a subpar education. Even if this does not matter to you and the degree is all that matters, then you will be spending a considerable amount of money for that piece of paper.
If you still want to pursue a doctorate afterward, then it remains that you have to retake the GRE. How do you plan on increasing your scores? Are you prepared to consider your master's degree a mere stepping stone (if that) as you are required to retake most of your courses, if not all of them, if you do manage to get accepted into a doctoral program?
In the meantime, your GPA is not especially stellar for doctoral admissions. Please note that I did not say it was 'bad,' simply not particularly competitive in a field where everyone wants to stand out from the crowd (particularly for a "top notch PhD program"). You also do not mention any other extracurricular activities, especially research, that you have participated in to make yourself a competitive applicant. Why would they choose you over the hundreds of other applicants applying to their program? A mere love of school, learning, and being a student isn't going to be adequate to gain you admission.
You may want to speak with your academic advisor or a trusted professor at your university. Does your university offer grad-level courses in the psych dept? You may be able to take these classes as a "student at large," which does not require that you be admitted into the graduate program and provides you with some experience and expectations of graduate level work. What is your research experience? You need something there, or the vast majority of doctoral programs will chunk your application in the bin immediately without any further consideration.
If you are determined to apply for a master's and then pursue a doctoral program afterward, I would look for programs that provide me with the opportunity to obtain research experience--ESPECIALLY if you have none at the present time. Heck, even if you do have experience, I still would look for programs that offer this as an opportunity, as it can only bolster your application, which will need it.
G'luck.
Thanks for your response. Yes, I have research experience and have taken grad level psych classes - doing more of both my last year. I'll retake the GRE after getting a tutor and really grinding it out....
I know how you are feeling. I was in a similar predicament. I applied to graduate school twice and was admitted the second time. Remain positive. I took the GRE (general) three times and Psychology subject test once. The first two times I prepared for the exam myself but was unsuccessful. On my final attempt, I took a Kaplan prep course that was offered at my undergraduate institution for a month. Yes, it was expensive, but well worth it.
I wanted to attend graduate school since I was a sophomore in college, but couldn't decide what aspect of Psychology I was interested in studying after graduation. Therefore, I found a job as a research assistant. I worked as a research assistant for almost two years before I decided it was time I returned to school. Although I yearned to go back to school, I realized that I did not need my doctorate because I didn't want to teach or go into counseling and make such a long term commitment to school. I wanted to continue studying psychology but also wanted to become financially independent. Plus, I was more research/statistically oriented. As a result, I selected a master's program in psychology with an emphasis in organizational behavior because I knew I would be able to find a good job as a consultant or human resources analyst.
I continued to study for the general GRE a year after the Kaplan course ended and then registered for the exam when I gained enough confidence. About a week after I took the exam, I scheduled appointments with my professors to request letters of recommendations with whom I kept in touch with since graduating from college. I created letter of recommendation packets and distributed them to my teachers, which included typical things like my transcript, test scores, personal statement, vitae, etc. I also requested a letter of recommendation from my employer as well. I applied to two schools. One school postponed their program in order to enhance the program so that it can meet students' needs. I was put on the waiting list for the other school, but was finally accepted in late April. School starts August 29. I am so excited!
So, even though I had a low cumulative GPA and an ok GRE score, I think what helped me the most was that I was highly involved in research projects as an undergrad, found a job closely related to my field of interest, received strong letters of recommendation, and tailored my personal statement several times, clearly stating my goals and finding a perfect match for a faculty-student apprenticeship.
All the best!
I wanted to attend graduate school since I was a sophomore in college, but couldn't decide what aspect of Psychology I was interested in studying after graduation. Therefore, I found a job as a research assistant. I worked as a research assistant for almost two years before I decided it was time I returned to school. Although I yearned to go back to school, I realized that I did not need my doctorate because I didn't want to teach or go into counseling and make such a long term commitment to school. I wanted to continue studying psychology but also wanted to become financially independent. Plus, I was more research/statistically oriented. As a result, I selected a master's program in psychology with an emphasis in organizational behavior because I knew I would be able to find a good job as a consultant or human resources analyst.
I continued to study for the general GRE a year after the Kaplan course ended and then registered for the exam when I gained enough confidence. About a week after I took the exam, I scheduled appointments with my professors to request letters of recommendations with whom I kept in touch with since graduating from college. I created letter of recommendation packets and distributed them to my teachers, which included typical things like my transcript, test scores, personal statement, vitae, etc. I also requested a letter of recommendation from my employer as well. I applied to two schools. One school postponed their program in order to enhance the program so that it can meet students' needs. I was put on the waiting list for the other school, but was finally accepted in late April. School starts August 29. I am so excited!
So, even though I had a low cumulative GPA and an ok GRE score, I think what helped me the most was that I was highly involved in research projects as an undergrad, found a job closely related to my field of interest, received strong letters of recommendation, and tailored my personal statement several times, clearly stating my goals and finding a perfect match for a faculty-student apprenticeship.
All the best!
