Freak GRE problem and other questions

[psychcavy]

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Hi everyone, I have been reading the posts here for several weeks, and you guys are just so helpful!! I have a few questions of my own for which I would really appreciate some input. First of all let me say that I am applying to 11 ClinPsyc PhD schools for the fall, already finished most of the app material except last little tweaks to the Personal Statement and waiting for my LOR to come back. I graduated w/ a GPA of 3.5 (not too strong due to some health issues), not too sure about my GRE score (will explain later), but have about 4 years of research experience and very strong LOR. So, that being said, here are my questions:
1. Some schools say that they want you to mention 2 profs, the research you want to do w/ them and why you would fit best with them in the SOP. Should I simply state that I am interested in X’s research in Y and Z, or should I demonstrate that I have ideas for specific research that can be conducted in conjunction with the profs current research? I don’t them to reject me because its too specific and not what they had in mind, but I don’t want to sound like I haven’t researched study possibilities or have clear research goals in mind.
2. In reference to the last question, if specific research goals are mentioned, Is it okay to reference a research article in the PS if it supports your research idea? Saying I would like to research the effectiveness of currently studied therapy A in populations with B, in light of supporting research (reference to articles). Would this be too much?
3. Some schools say that they want you to describe all of the key points in my current essay, but in 250-500 words. Its currently 2200! The thing is, there isn’t much in there that is unnecessary to fully describe research experience, teaching experience, strengths and weaknesses etc. I’ve tried cutting down the rx explanations and the strengths and weaknesses, but its still huge. What is your opinion on this?
4. There are a couple of issues that have come up regarding the GRE scores. I've been thinking that I had 570v and 630q since I took it back in Feb. This was the score I had written down from the comp screen after the test (which I still have) and I'm sure that my score rept, which I lost, didn't contradict that since I didn't freak out about it then. I requested another score rept for my app stuff only to find a 570v and 530q 😱. This would mean that I had a 79% rank on V and analytical writing (5.0) but a 33% on Q!
That doesn’t make sense at all. I’ve filed a report w/ ETS and they’re checking it out. The guy said that it does happen occasionally and that it looked like a scoring error due to the wide percentage gap between scores. I’m absolutely freaking out. If they don’t find an error and it stays the same, is there much sense in applying at all? Has anyone had this happen to them?
I’m sorry about all the questions. There are so many issues in this application process!
Thank you for helping,
LG

 

[WaitingKills]

This is going to be a short reply because I haven't slept yet...

ETS is the devil! I can totally see them making a mistake like that with all the crap they put me through when I was testing. If you are absolutely confident that you got a 630, then fight it to the end. Don't be afraid to ask for whoever's supervisor and climb the corporate ladder. A 100 point difference is huge and could make or break your applications this year.

From my experience dealing with them, you have to be the one to follow up and call them every couple of days. Don't forget to document every call (it saved my butt to be able to say 'X told me blah on this day').

 

[BorntoRun]

My thoughts on a few of the things you mentioned -

1. ETS - fight it, fight it, fight it. Go down to wherever ETS lives and yell at them in person if you have to. At this stage in the application cycle, those 100 points could make or break your application.

2. I wouldn't cite in your PS; I don't know anyone who has. Obviously don't plagiarize, but as the PS is meant to be a statement of interest rather than something scholarly, I think it's actually most appropriate to mention findings and interests without including citations.

3. As far as the research experience in your PS, include a CV with your application, and condense, condense, condense. A program that asks for 500 words and gets 2k is NOT going to be happy; it's better to gloss over some of your extensive experience in the statement (maybe talk in terms of skills more broadly instead of what you did in each lab?). If they're interested in you, they'll take the time to read your CV.

Good luck!

 

[psychcavy]

-Those are both really good suggestions. I will keep calling ETS and keep fighting. I just found where I got a 720 Q in the practice (ETS computerized version) test too, which I still have, so there is no way I got 530 on the real thing!
-"As far as the research experience in your PS, include a CV with your application, and condense, condense, condense. A program that asks for 500 words and gets 2k is NOT going to be happy; it's better to gloss over some of your extensive experience in the statement (maybe talk in terms of skills more broadly instead of what you did in each lab?). If they're interested in you, they'll take the time to read your CV."
- that's a good point- I don't need my PS to be a whole other CV. my rx experience is explained clearly in that, so I will shorten that section. it just scares me b/c my experience is my only really strong point. I'll just have to trust that my CV is enough 🙂

 

[psybee]

the 500 word PS is such a huge challenge. the best thing i can tell you is try to not retell your CV. In fact, feel free to reference your CV (I have extensive Ta expereince, several diverse clinical experience, and over four years of research expereince as my CV will attest) and then go into more detail one or two stellar expereinces, and tie them tightly to the profs work or the program. it will be very short, and you won't be able to get much of your writing chops or turns of phrase in -- it's all about your editing skills.

good luck!

 

[psychcavy]

Update

Okay, so ETS got back to me and said that the scores they had sent were correct😱 But refuse to give me a copy of the evaluation report... Should I demand that they send me one, or should I just let it go? I don't think I have time to take another one since I studied for the other for a while and now I'm working full time and on call nights and weekends (horrible schedule for studying). I'm afraid I might do worse because of the lack of prep time. I don't know... What do you guys think I should do? fight to the death or chance it by taking another GRE? Is there a way of taking just one section?

Thanks for your input guys 🙁

 

[WaitingKills]

You can't really just do one section. Well, you can just not answer questions on say the quant section or the analytical, but they will still be scored. Schools will ask why you did that and it may be more harmful than good.

I would say, based on your situation, to do both; fight and reschedule the exam. ETS is a horrible organization!!! FIGHT THEM!!!! Seriously, they screwed me around so bad I had to get a lawyer involved. Not that you'll have to go to that extent, but the higher up the ladder you go and the more commotion you make, the more likely they will try to sort it out.

Anyway, I scored the same as you on the exam (the scores you thought you got, 570V and 630Q) and got into a clinical ph.d program. Initially, I scored 520V and 560Q on my first go and it only took me a few weekends of studying to get my scores up. For quant, I had 3 sessions with a tutor and really studied the practice books I bought and for verbal, I memorized the top 500 words for the GRE (lists are all over the internet).

Honestly, you'd probably be able to raise your quant score quite easily with some good studying in between working. Another thing to think about, I've heard tons of stories of people vastly improving their scores (like me, up 120) with some effort, but very very few people (though there is the odd one) who had a dramatic decrease. It's worth the risk in my opinion. For example, with my 1080, no interviews but one waitlist (weird I know). The next year with my 1200, 1 acceptance and 3 waitlists.

Blah blah blah, I'm babbling eh? Long and short, don't give up with ETS yet. Keep fighting for what you believe but in the meantime, I would definitely schedule another test of the beginning of November.

Good luck.

 

[psychcavy]

Okay, you've convinced me 🙂 I'll give it a go. God I hate ETS!!!!! I've already sent my psyc GRE scores to 4 schools though with the other scores included. (registered them to be sent on the correction stub anyway.) Does anyone know if they will send all my scores including the one I will take within the next month if its before they score the subject one? Or will it just be my old scores? hmm...

 

[WaitingKills]

Okay, you've convinced me 🙂 I'll give it a go. God I hate ETS!!!!! I've already sent my psyc GRE scores to 4 schools though with the other scores included. (registered them to be sent on the correction stub anyway.) Does anyone know if they will send all my scores including the one I will take within the next month if its before they score the subject one? Or will it just be my old scores? hmm...

If it's scored before your subject one, then yes, it'll be on your report. If not, then you'll have to pay all over again, YAY 😡

 

[ClinChldApp44]

I agree with everyone... ETS is HORRIBLE! Similarly to some of you, I scored a 440v 630q on the first try (year one) and a 390v (anxiety meltdown!) 700q the second try (year two). I FINALLY get my nerves under control at attempt three and walk out with a 560v 640q (also year two). At this point it was ETS's turn to flake out. My scores were filed wrong, and after me calling and yelling several times... the 1200 wasn't sent out until January. THUS, here I am applying for a third year.

Lessons learned: Speak to a real person at ETS and call to follow up with them and your programs to make sure it was received. Persistence is key. (I hope!) AND... it IS possible to raise your scores 100+ points!

 

[psychcavy]

I agree with everyone... ETS is HORRIBLE! Similarly to some of you, I scored a 440v 630q on the first try (year one) and a 390v (anxiety meltdown!) 700q the second try (year two). I FINALLY get my nerves under control at attempt three and walk out with a 560v 640q (also year two). At this point it was ETS's turn to flake out. My scores were filed wrong, and after me calling and yelling several times... the 1200 wasn't sent out until January. THUS, here I am applying for a third year.

Lessons learned: Speak to a real person at ETS and call to follow up with them and your programs to make sure it was received. Persistence is key. (I hope!) AND... it IS possible to raise your scores 100+ points!

Oh man that's horrible!! I'm so sorry that happened to you. They say third time's a charm 🙂 (I know you must hate that saying right now tho) You know, I really really hate giving ETS money for this new GRE and NEW score reports. Its not that I mind paying for the exams, i just mind paying them. How would Festinger explain this I wonder?

 

[biogirl215]

How did this turn out?

 

[psychcavy]

It sucked. I had to re-take the exam in November, just in time to send in the scores. I didn't have much time to study (took the psyc on October 18th and this one on Nov 5), so I didn't do so hot. 560 Quant. same Qual as before. I wound up sending (and paying) for 3 score reports. Yeah, Definitely take the test EARLY and have the score report put in a safe or something until you apply.