<p>I'm shaping up to apply to psychology programs this winter, and I'm getting increasingly nervous that I won't be as strong of an applicant as I've anticipated. I have a nice GPA at 3.86 (at a top 25 school) and 3 years of research experience, but with publications being submitted at the end of this year (so long after I would apply). I mostly nervous about the GREs. I'm taking them in the next two weeks and I'm consistently scoring in the 500s V and low 600s Q and this is AFTER studying intensely for 2-3 months. I'm scoring about 650 in the Psych subject test.</p>
<p>I know I would make a great grad student; I love research and am a smart student, hence the consistent good grades. I'm just a terrible standardized test taker. How can I help my chances? Should I apply for more schools (7+) or maybe a Masters only program as a safety? I'm having a hard time figuring out a school that would definitely take me with those stats and I'm dedicated to going to grad school this fall.</p>
<p>You will get into a school with those stats, but a very low score on the GRE could keep you out of some of the top ones (depending on how low). Your research, recommendation, GPA, et.c are of great importance so having lower than average GRE scores might not be as huge of a disadvantage. If you score 80% or so, it shouldn’t keep you out of anything. Your average right now for the GRE scores seems to be much lower, but your stats are too good for you to spend a considerable amount of money pursuing a master’s. You need to figure out the weakness in your studying habits and fix them. I am sure you can pull those scores up with proper studying.</p>
<p>I would just apply more broadly if your scores are very low. So add in a few more safety schools and you should not have a problem. </p>
<p>I highly recommend 800score.com. It is fairly cheap and improved my quantitative score by 100. The 5 CAT exams are very, very helpful.</p>
<p>Low GRE scores combined with a high GPA are most likely evidence of easy grading standards at your college. They are likely to discount your GPA (a bit) unless you can get your GRE up. Of course I have no idea how high a GRE score you would need for a psych program. Within that I would think the Quant section would be given less weight. But who knows?</p>
<p>Eeek, that’s not great news. I graduated Phi Beta Kappa and I know my grades don’t reflect low grading standards. I’m going to have to keep my fingers crossed this weekend and the next for the tests.</p>
<p>Anyhow, I think a masters only program could be a safety here. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with using a non-PhD program as a safety.</p>