PhD/PsyD Psych GRE/Pre Req Courses

[bcliff]

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Is it worth the cost/prep time to take the psych GRE? I keep finding more and more programs that either recommend or require applicants to submit their psych GRE scores. I feel like having a UG degree in psych with years of research/applied experience post-bacc should more than suffice in demonstrating my basic understanding and appreciation of general psychological concepts. Does anyone know if it's a major negative to not submit a psych GRE to a school that recommends (but doesn't require) it?

Also, what about programs that require/recommend certain undergraduate courses. It's really aggravating that there isn't a consistent and concrete pre-clinical psych curriculum; I've seen some clinical psych programs that recommend students have undergraduate coursework in the history of psychology & experimental psychology. I honestly don't know if my undergraduate program even offered those courses, but regardless I never took them, and I really can't afford to pay ~1-2k to take them now that I'm no longer on scholarship.

This post is 1/2 venting & 1/2 asking a serious question - What's the general consensus about these recommended (but not required) pre-requisites?

 

[CKAW]

Everyone I've spoken to has said statistics and research methods are required; history and experimental are a good idea. I haven't been able to find them offered either, though, so I'll probably bone up and take the subject GRE.

 

[psychtrauma]

The coursework and GRE scores are really only to get you to the interview stage, once there they aren't going to look back and differentiate by who took History of Psychology and who didn't.

Having just finished up a very busy interview season, I can say there was no mention of coursework whatsoever, although as you said a few of my own programs required stats and research methods (pretty standard actually). As far as the psych GRE goes, I was in the same boat as you around this time last year and decided to retake the general GRE but decided against the psych GRE. Many of the programs I interviewed at (and one subsequentally accepted) stated that the psych GRE was "highly recommended" but not taking it didn't hurt me at all. I actually interviewed at a program that said it was a requirement, apparently it was only a soft one.

If your other stats are solid (sounds like they are) I wouldn't waste the time, money, or energy - instead focus on having a killer SOP, make sure you have solid reqs and you shoud be fine. Looking back at one of your old posts you'll be applying to many of the same schools (and probably professors with the trauma focus) that I did this year, you'll be fine.

Best of luck, and relax. This is a long process and you're WAY ahead of the game. You'll burn out before the end if you aren't careful. My biggest piece of advice would be to get off these boards until at least September, if not later.

 

[bre333]

I would assume that if they only recommend it, and your score is bad, it's better not to send it. Because if you don't send it, they would probably assume that no school you applied to required you to take it, and you just didn't take it.