Trying not to feel defeated

[kkb19]

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I am just going to be frank-these are my GRE scores:

590 verbal
630 quant
4.5 analytical writing

I just received my writing score today (online) and I am so disappointed. I thought it was the one thing that might make me stand out after accepting that my other scores are mediocre. Now I am honestly feeling sad and not sure if I will get into any programs. To fill in remaining info, I have a 4.0 GPA in psych, about a 3.8 overall, but I have attended a community college and small midwestern 4-year. I am "non-traditional" and don't have the research experience, awards, extra-curriculars, etc to really pump up my application. I know clinical psychology is what I want, I know I am capable of doing the work-I don't know if I will be able to convince anyone else of that. 🙁 I am sorry to seem so negative, but this process takes its toll-especially on a perfectionist. Does anyone have any brutal honesty or perhaps encouraging words? Thanks for listening! (Incidentally, I also took the psych subject test on November 7 and have not received that score yet.)

 

[jenn1015]

I am just going to be frank-these are my GRE scores:

590 verbal
630 quant
4.5 analytical writing

I just received my writing score today (online) and I am so disappointed. I thought it was the one thing that might make me stand out after accepting that my other scores are mediocre. Now I am honestly feeling sad and not sure if I will get into any programs. To fill in remaining info, I have a 4.0 GPA in psych, about a 3.8 overall, but I have attended a community college and small midwestern 4-year. I am "non-traditional" and don't have the research experience, awards, extra-curriculars, etc to really pump up my application. I know clinical psychology is what I want, I know I am capable of doing the work-I don't know if I will be able to convince anyone else of that. 🙁 I am sorry to seem so negative, but this process takes its toll-especially on a perfectionist. Does anyone have any brutal honesty or perhaps encouraging words? Thanks for listening! (Incidentally, I also took the psych subject test on November 7 and have not received that score yet.)

Well, if it's any consolation what-so-ever, your GRE is higher than mine!! Although I do have sound research experience, I'm definitely feeling like my application will just get booted right off the bat b/c of my GRE. At least you make the common 1200 cut off!!
I'm no expert, but my advice would be to write an AMAZING personal statement, outlining your academic achievements and work ethic. Obviously don't lie, but there are ways of highlighting achievements so that they seem better on paper than how you usually think of them (the mentality that "oh, that 4.0 was no big deal" vs. something like "at ____ University I had the opportunity to excel in academics, and cultivate my research interests and career goals").
Also, get great recommendations, people who will attest to your abilities in the classroom as well as your personality outside of the classroom. Since you don't have research experience, I'd say just make sure that they are in psychology, and that they know what you're going into.
Good luck!!!!!!!

 

[ClinicalTrainee]

If you know clinical psych is what you want, then you may have to take a year and "pump up" your application. Volunteer to do research somewhere, maybe study for and take the GREs again, etc. You can be sure that you're capable of the work, but the faculty reviewing applications want to know that you've done enough in the past to know what you're getting yourself in to.

Coming from another non-traditional student who completely changed fields, it is possible. Taking another year sucks but in the grand scheme of things, if it's what you want to do, make it happen. Maybe apply for some experimental masters programs to get more research under your belt?

 

[multicultpsyc]

I agree! I'm hoping for something similar to make me stand out. I truly believe that, although they are looking for certain general things, they want someone different who will bring diversity and passion to their programs. If you are truly passionate, make sure it comes through clearly in your essay and show how hard you've worked to get to where you are. Also, make sure you demonstrated a complete match with the program and whatever faculty you want to work with. Good luck to you! 🙂

 

[buzzworm]

I am just going to be frank-these are my GRE scores:

590 verbal
630 quant
4.5 analytical writing

I just received my writing score today (online) and I am so disappointed. I thought it was the one thing that might make me stand out after accepting that my other scores are mediocre. Now I am honestly feeling sad and not sure if I will get into any programs. To fill in remaining info, I have a 4.0 GPA in psych, about a 3.8 overall, but I have attended a community college and small midwestern 4-year. I am "non-traditional" and don't have the research experience, awards, extra-curriculars, etc to really pump up my application. I know clinical psychology is what I want, I know I am capable of doing the work-I don't know if I will be able to convince anyone else of that. 🙁 I am sorry to seem so negative, but this process takes its toll-especially on a perfectionist. Does anyone have any brutal honesty or perhaps encouraging words? Thanks for listening! (Incidentally, I also took the psych subject test on November 7 and have not received that score yet.)

I think you're doing better than you think. Try to keep in mind that when a program lists the average scores of its admitted class, there were individual scores both above and below that number. And of course GRE scores aren't the only thing that matters. Like the previous poster said, I think it's a good idea to try to write a stellar SOP and to get the best recommendations you can find. You also have an amazing GPA, so that will help you out too.

In the very worst case, if you don't get in this year, you can use the year to build up your research experience (find a volunteer position or a research assistant job in a lab), and apply again next fall.

 

[kkb19]

for the excellent feedback.🙂 I do already have the "Plan B" to work/research for another year if I don't get accepted anywhere this year and I am OK with that. Your comments have helped me get out of my head and look at all the possibilities instead of the limitations. Also, I am only applying to schools with later deadlines this year so the "right" school for me may mean waiting another year anyway.

I usually have the attitude that things happen for a reason and I am very open to different outcomes, but sometimes I get caught up in the data and stress out. Thank you again for the reality check!

One more question-I have read a lot of conflicting information on the content of the SOP, mainly on how personal it should or should not be-what advice have you been given for writing a solid SOP?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

1200 is popular "cut-off" score, so you should be fine there. As for being a non-traditional student....there are going to be some good and bad things about the route. I left a good career to go back to school, and it was challenging to have everything fit, but it is possible.

To echo what others have said, you may need to take an extra year to be more competitive, though it'd be worth a shot to apply this year and see how it goes. It is a long road, but finding the right "fit" is important, so make sure to not "settle" if you are feeling stuck.

 

[futureapppsy2]

My GRE schools are a titch higher (660 Q, 590 V, 5.0 AW), and I'm applying to slightly less competitive programs (school, not clinical), but still feel kind of like I'm going into battle against a 1000 man army as one person. It's just so competitive that I wonder how I'll ever get picked over all the other, stellar applicants applying to these programs... It almost feels like this process is a psychological stress test in and of itself!

 

[Ollie123]

I don't know if this will make you feel better or worse, but I don't think that a GRE score will ever do much to make an application "Stand out". A good score doesn't hurt obviously, but I think its rare for it to be a major consideration beyond surpassing the cutoff. Which by the way, you will have done for a decent chunk of the mid-tier schools. Re-taking is always an option too.

There are definitely some hoops to jump through, but here is the good news: "More experience" is a much easier problem to fix! You said taking time off isn't a big deal, and it can significantly strengthen your application - in fact THIS is what makes an application stand out. If you want a research-heavy program you might want to consider re-taking the GREs, but even then it may not be critical. This sort of situation is much easier than someone who comes in with a 2.8, and a GRE score that is ACTUALLY bad (as opposed to "Not as good as you'd like it to be").

So take a breath and relax. If you don't get in, remember it isn't the end of the world. These are things that can be fixed, so there is always hope for the future. It may take time, but its doable🙂

 

[BuckeyeAlum]

Sorry that you ended up w/scores you didn't like. That's never easy to swallow.

I would echo everyone else and recommend taking AT LEAST a year off for some kind of psychology experience (research, clinical, or a combination of the two). Really, I'd recommend taking two or three years off, but I recognize not everyone can do that. The advantage is that you will really get to build up your experiences. If you were to apply again next year, you will have only been working/volunteering for less than a year (or a few months) and may not have a close relationship with your supervisor yet. I have been working in my job since September 2008 and am applying for next Fall. My application now is much stronger than it would have been if I had applied last year.

If it's truly your dream, then go for it... it just may involve some creativity on your part (like going to a Master's program first, etc.).

 

[manko7]

Look, your score is the same as mine and I have received a national-level award in my field and first-name pubs in top tier APA journals over the years. I don't mention these feats to gloat (this board is anonymous anyway), but rather to point out that you may be the greatest psychologist yet to come but the GRE will be a handicap for you. Find an adviser who is willing to go to bat for you in the admissions committee. A well placed word from an insistent committee member who wants you in his/her lab will override any doubts held by other members about a borderline score.

I have always wondered what would have happened if the GRE scores had their way with me. There is no full-proof metric for success yet. Do not let that silly little test trump perseverance and creativity. Find a program that values you for your strengths and plug those strengths at every chance you get. Getting into a top-name program matters, but after post-doc the field begins to level out more, and those who went to top name schools are less likely to have the competitive benefit of their former patron.

 

[deleted176373]

I am just going to be frank-these are my GRE scores:

590 verbal
630 quant
4.5 analytical writing

Relax, you're over the 1200 mark... unless you are competing for the very top programs, this should be fine. The GRE is a gross sorting tool, not the deciding factor on your admission. Sure you have to do well enough on it... but once past the initial sort, this test loses it's importance quickly.

Mark

 

[Psychology 76]

+1 on what everyone else said. Don't worry about the GRE, you made the cut of many programs. 🙂

However, this does raise an unsettling question in my mind. I know GRE scores are mainly screening tools but what if you just miss out on the cut off but have great stats otherwise? Will they throw an applicant's application away once they see an 1180 even if that applicant had awesome research experience and LOR ect.?

 

[deleted176373]

+1 on what everyone else said. Don't worry about the GRE, you made the cut of many programs. 🙂

However, this does raise an unsettling question in my mind. I know GRE scores are mainly screening tools but what if you just miss out on the cut off but have great stats otherwise? Will they throw an applicant's application away once they see an 1180 even if that applicant had awesome research experience and LOR ect.?

Some programs will, some won't.

Here is where being at conferences and networking is important. You meet people, you develop rapport, and you actually know the people that you are applying to work with. If there is a good fit, they can often save a borderline GRE score from not making it onto the pile. Many schools use a combination of GPA/GRE to determine the cut-off. Some schools evaluate every application fully.

Finally, the "quality" of the cohort that is applying that year is a factor as well.

Mark

 

[n00b2009]

Are you applying to PhD or PsyD programs?

 

[kkb19]

Are you applying to PhD or PsyD programs?

Not sure if this question is for me...but I am applying to PhD programs.

Also, I want to take this moment to thank everyone again for the feedback. I am really glad I stumbled upon these forums-nothing helps more than hearing from others going through the same process, or those who have already survived it! 😀

 

[cara susanna]

I got in with a 500s quant and 600s verbal, so similar scores to yours only reversed.

 

[cheeze]

your GPA should balance out ur GRE score but depends on the program

but in generally I was always told that research experience is basically a must for competitive PhD programs, it might even be worth your time to take a year or two to some experience

 

[RejectClinical]

I am just going to be frank-these are my GRE scores:

590 verbal
630 quant
4.5 analytical writing

I just received my writing score today (online) and I am so disappointed. I thought it was the one thing that might make me stand out after accepting that my other scores are mediocre. Now I am honestly feeling sad and not sure if I will get into any programs. To fill in remaining info, I have a 4.0 GPA in psych, about a 3.8 overall, but I have attended a community college and small midwestern 4-year. I am "non-traditional" and don't have the research experience, awards, extra-curriculars, etc to really pump up my application. I know clinical psychology is what I want, I know I am capable of doing the work-I don't know if I will be able to convince anyone else of that. 🙁 I am sorry to seem so negative, but this process takes its toll-especially on a perfectionist. Does anyone have any brutal honesty or perhaps encouraging words? Thanks for listening! (Incidentally, I also took the psych subject test on November 7 and have not received that score yet.)

I had the same writing score. No one cares about the writing score.

 

[psychadelics]

I had the same writing score. No one cares about the writing score.

My undergrad advisor, who is actually head of the graduate committee at my school said that the writing score is more important than the other scores. On that note, I got the same score as you did.