Program-Specific Info / Q's St. Augustine requesting I retake the GRE... advice?

[KnightOT]

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Hey guys, this is a long one so I apologize.

I applied to University of St. Augustine’s Flex MOT program for Spring 2019. During my phone information session with their enrollment advisor (apparently a requirement after your application is received), she told me my GRE scores were lower than what they usually accept and that I should considering re-taking.

She’s right, my GRE scores aren’t great, however, I’ve taken the test 3 times at this point. I guess I just crack under the pressure of the test format and walked out with the same score every time. Literally not a point different.

I politely explained, and said that I was hopeful that all the other required components of my application would at least allow me to be considered.

She said I would still be considered, but my chances of acceptance wouldn’t be as high as I would like them to be...

Fast forward to this morning, I received an email from the enrollment advisor stating that they are still accepting applicants and was wondering if I had retaken the GRE yet...

I like that this program is so close to home, but I’m really upset that I’m being looked at on paper by them from such a narrow standpoint. I am confident that the other parts of my application are pretty strong. I was really hoping this would be a school that looked at students more as a whole, but it doesn’t seem like it.

Does anyone have any advise on how I should respond or what I should do?

Thanks in advance.

 

[delta-ot]

Hey guys, this is a long one so I apologize.

I applied to University of St. Augustine’s Flex MOT program for Spring 2019. During my phone information session with their enrollment advisor (apparently a requirement after your application is received), she told me my GRE scores were lower than what they usually accept and that I should considering re-taking.

She’s right, my GRE scores aren’t great, however, I’ve taken the test 3 times at this point. I guess I just crack under the pressure of the test format and walked out with the same score every time. Literally not a point different.

I politely explained, and said that I was hopeful that all the other required components of my application would at least allow me to be considered.

She said I would still be considered, but my chances of acceptance wouldn’t be as high as I would like them to be...

Fast forward to this morning, I received an email from the enrollment advisor stating that they are still accepting applicants and was wondering if I had retaken the GRE yet...

I like that this program is so close to home, but I’m really upset that I’m being looked at on paper by them from such a narrow standpoint. I am confident that the other parts of my application are pretty strong. I was really hoping this would be a school that looked at students more as a whole, but it doesn’t seem like it.

Does anyone have any advise on how I should respond or what I should do?

Thanks in advance.

Hey! I am in the exact same position with USAHS for Summer 2019. I had already registered to retake the GRE on the 25th of this month when I spoke to my enrollment advisor. So when she told me that would make my application stronger, I wasn't surprised. I got a 284 and 3.5 on Analytical so of course that is not competitive enough. I really think that if you can, you should also retake it asap. Practice a lot more; ETS and Kaplan offer free practice tests and there are so many other resources that can help raise those scores. Don't be discouraged, just try your best and do what you've gotta do 🙂

 

[deleted948274]

Hey guys, this is a long one so I apologize.

I applied to University of St. Augustine’s Flex MOT program for Spring 2019. During my phone information session with their enrollment advisor (apparently a requirement after your application is received), she told me my GRE scores were lower than what they usually accept and that I should considering re-taking.

She’s right, my GRE scores aren’t great, however, I’ve taken the test 3 times at this point. I guess I just crack under the pressure of the test format and walked out with the same score every time. Literally not a point different.

I politely explained, and said that I was hopeful that all the other required components of my application would at least allow me to be considered.

She said I would still be considered, but my chances of acceptance wouldn’t be as high as I would like them to be...

Fast forward to this morning, I received an email from the enrollment advisor stating that they are still accepting applicants and was wondering if I had retaken the GRE yet...

I like that this program is so close to home, but I’m really upset that I’m being looked at on paper by them from such a narrow standpoint. I am confident that the other parts of my application are pretty strong. I was really hoping this would be a school that looked at students more as a whole, but it doesn’t seem like it.

Does anyone have any advise on how I should respond or what I should do?

Thanks in advance.

They want me to take my GRE again as well. Last year they told me the same, I didn’t retake it and I didn’t get interviewed. They emailed me the exact same thing this year, I just scheduled to retake my GRE for the end of this month. I am currently doing online prep through Magoosh, and if you don’t increase your score by at least 5 points they give you the money back for the class. Currently I have a 145Q 145V 4AW.


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[0td413]

Hey there!

I was accepted for the OTD 2019 Spring session in CA, and I had poor GRE scores (143Q, 144V, 3.5W). When I was applying they told me I should strongly consider retaking the GRE. I did and they did not improve, so I told them to continue processing my application with the scores.

I honestly think they look at the application as a whole and do not weigh as heavily on the GRE scores as they want you to believe (after all, the scores they want you to obtain are only recommended). I hope this helps with your decision and eases your stress!

Good luck to you!!

 

[deleted948274]

Hey there!

I was accepted for the OTD 2019 Spring session in CA, and I had poor GRE scores (143Q, 144V, 3.5W). When I was applying they told me I should strongly consider retaking the GRE. I did and they did not improve, so I told them to continue processing my application with the scores.

I honestly think they look at the application as a whole and do not weigh as heavily on the GRE scores as they want you to believe (after all, the scores they want you to obtain are only recommended). I hope this helps with your decision and eases your stress!

Good luck to you!!

Would you mind sharing what your other stats were, GPA wise & prereqs.


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[chipmunkOT]

Hi KnightOT,

I was at the San Marcos Open House yesterday. The enrollment advisor said part of her job is to help candidates become stronger applicants. She's there to make sure we meet the minimums or identify potential weaknesses.

At this point, the committee probably hasn't seen your application but the enrollement advisor is trying to help you out! I don't want to discourage you from telling them to consider your applicant as is but it's worth taking to heart what she said. Also, I think the "recommended" GRE minimum is 294 (maybe 298?). Sorry, I don't remember.

 

[0td413]

Would you mind sharing what your other stats were, GPA wise & prereqs.

Of course!

GPA- 3.3 overall. 3.4 (I think) for the last 60 units.
Anatomy: B, Physiology: A, Abnormal psyc: A
Major- Psychology
Hours- 72 inpatient at a rehab hospital. 47 outpatient at an elementary school with kiddos with learning disabilities. 119 total.
Extracurriculars- 30 volunteer hours at an elderly home doing activities with the residents.
LORs- 3 in total... 1 from and OT, 1 from a professor, and 1 from a previous manager at work.

 

[demuresyz]

Hi KnightOT,

I was at the San Marcos Open House yesterday. The enrollment advisor said part of her job is to help candidates become stronger applicants. She's there to make sure we meet the minimums or identify potential weaknesses.

At this point, the committee probably hasn't seen your application but the enrollement advisor is trying to help you out! I don't want to discourage you from telling them to consider your applicant as is but it's worth taking to heart what she said. Also, I think the "recommended" GRE minimum is 294 (maybe 298?). Sorry, I don't remember.

I agree with chipmunkOT. I interviewed at their Miami location and the advisor just wants you to have your best chance to receive an invitation for an interview! At the interviews, it solely based on you as a person and not your grades. You could decide to retake the GRE to improve your chance or not, but I'm sure the advisor knows what kind of stats will get interviews. I would listen to their advice, or you could risk it and see if you get an interview!

 

[gatorvot]

Hey guys, this is a long one so I apologize.

I applied to University of St. Augustine’s Flex MOT program for Spring 2019. During my phone information session with their enrollment advisor (apparently a requirement after your application is received), she told me my GRE scores were lower than what they usually accept and that I should considering re-taking.

She’s right, my GRE scores aren’t great, however, I’ve taken the test 3 times at this point. I guess I just crack under the pressure of the test format and walked out with the same score every time. Literally not a point different.

I politely explained, and said that I was hopeful that all the other required components of my application would at least allow me to be considered.

She said I would still be considered, but my chances of acceptance wouldn’t be as high as I would like them to be...

Fast forward to this morning, I received an email from the enrollment advisor stating that they are still accepting applicants and was wondering if I had retaken the GRE yet...

I like that this program is so close to home, but I’m really upset that I’m being looked at on paper by them from such a narrow standpoint. I am confident that the other parts of my application are pretty strong. I was really hoping this would be a school that looked at students more as a whole, but it doesn’t seem like it.

Does anyone have any advise on how I should respond or what I should do?

Thanks in advance.

Hey KnightOT! St. Augustine told me the same thing so I basically felt like I was not going to get an interview at all. I am in the same spot as you because I’ve taken the GRE twice with not great luck which is discouraging. The advisor told me the same thing as you but I told her to turn in my application anyway since I was still deciding if to retake the GRE. This morning I got an interview invite. I think what chipmunkOT was saying was true. There’s still hope!

 

[KnightOT]

Thank you all for your advice! I appreciate it.

I went ahead and asked them to submit with the GRE scores I had, and now I am just waiting to hear back from them. I’ll keep you all updated!

 

[OTschoolpickme]

I would submit your scores & give it a shot. I was accepted with a GRE score below the minimum requirement.