(Essentially) rejected this year. How to improve for next year?

Graduate School
21

<p>@sunkist7</p>

<p>That’s very interesting! If I was on an adcom, that’s how I would judge applicants. However, I feel like we have to play their stupid game and get the best GRE scores and GPAs. If they have 700 apps for 30 spots, then the easiest way to cut students is by their stats.</p>

<p>@chaospaladin</p>

<p>Well when I applied, I did want to go to all of those schools. I almost accepted my acceptance. However, it was pointed out to me that I was taking too long to decide. When you know, you know. If it’s the right choice, all the positives will overwhelm the negatives. So while there are things I liked about BU and it’s possible I could have been really happy there, it just didn’t feel right to me and I think I would have regretted not applying to other schools.</p>

22

<p>The GRE is changing drastically. It’s no longer going to be computer adaptive (CAT), so you might be able to improve a lot. The CAT punishes slow computation like a mother. So I would suggest studying like mad and taking it again. Your scores are low for the UW in a science field.</p>

<p>I also think that while your essay format might not be of paramount importance, knowing exactly what you want to do–even if you don’t know the research–is very important. A sense of purpose. So I would work on that if I were you. Why are you studying what you are studying? What inspired you in the past, and what is your hope for the future? It doesn’t have to be super unique so long as you can express it in a genuine way.</p>