Rewriting GRE: need to boost quant score!

[quiescent_flux]

Hi everyone, I have to rewrite the GRE and am trying to decide on which math workbook to get. I got my GRE results not too long ago and my advisor suggests rewriting the GRE because he thinks it'll prevent me from being accepted into many psych programs. I got 630V (90th percentile) and 640Q (57th percentile). I was panicking during the AW section

Comments

[roadtophd]

I really liked Kaplan math books-- they give you some HARD question--but make sure you also practice with the Powerprep CD you get when you register for the GRE. That way you can practice using the computer.

I'm wondering about the advice you got from your adviser though. What kind of psychology programs are you looking at? Your math might be a little low but I don't think it would be below the minimum cut-off except at maybe the most competitive schools. I'm applying to clinical programs this fall and got 580V, 700M the first time I took the GRE and then got 640M, 640V the second time. One of the PhDs where I work told me that I was okay since I was above a 1200 and am near the mean scores for the schools I want to apply to. Obviously you should listen to your adviser over a random person over the internet but it's frustrating to have spent so much time and money studying a second time and got another 1280.

Oh, and though it varies from program to program, I'm not sure that the writing score matters too much.

[quiescent_flux]

I'm looking at social psychology programs and I'm hoping to work with some of the top researchers in my specific area of interest.

My advisor thinks that my score will prevent me from getting accepted into many programs, which would greatly limit my options. I was on the fence about whether or not to rewrite it. Even though it'll be a pain to go through all that again, my advisor (and I) think it would be worth it. I have a lot of undergrad research experience, a high 80 average, wrote a decent undergrad thesis, and I'm sure I can get good LORs... but I'd hate to be rejected from my preferred programs because of the stinkin' GRE, because I really think that'd be the only thing holding me back from serious consideration. :(

[roadtophd]

I'm not sure how psych programs work, but in my field if you have a potential mentor on your side and saying they'll work with you prior to your application being reviewed you're pretty much accepted regardless of the GRE score.
But i've never seen anyone get rejected over GRE scores, if the rest of their application was competitive. You've clearly been training for graduate school for awhile (due to your research experience and thesis), whereas those who decided to go to grad school b/c of the economy have not. So yes, the applicant pools may have increased but this doesn't mean that the quality of applicants are higher.
The best people to answer these questions are the researchers you're wanting to work with, and again if you get one of them on your side early- a program won't reject you (as long as you met min. requirements)

[sporkgoddess]

[sporkgoddess]

[unmellow_yellow]

Wow, I'm the same way! Do you know where I can get it?

[sporkgoddess]

[sporkgoddess]

[awoodnymph]

Kaplan Math Workbook + PowerPrep sample tests did wonders for me (and got me into my first choice clinical-counseling psychology program).

[quiescent_flux]

Thanks everyone.

[quiescent_flux]

Quiescent flux: You and your advisor are correct about needing a higher GRE score for top social pscyh programs. It's advisable to shoot for a 1350. That said, people are admitted with lower GRE scores but your GPA and ugrad research experience must be of a very high caliber to compensate.

Another note: If you're looking at schools with a strong quantitative focus, you'll definitely want to get your Q score up closer to 700.

For what it's worth, the AW score wasn't even considered as part of the admissions process at my school (a top 5). Definitely focus on the Q & V portions more so.

Good luck!

[quiescent_flux]

Thanks! :)