Getting In To Grad School - The Process of Applying

Low GPA and really confused

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:12:04 -0700

I have faired very poorly in my undergrad studies with just a GPA of 2.5. I started working due to financial reasons even though I still had 3 more courses for my degree. I finished those courses a year later. The bright side i think is that fresh out of school I landed a real good job. I know you require much more qualifications to be doing what I do and I have learnt so much in the 18 months that I have been working. I have shown great motivation and good work ethics (my review said so). I can guarantee two great recommendations from my employers and supervisors and by next year when I want to get in to grad school, I will have three years of solid work experience with me.

i need to find some guides in alternative formats

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:01:57 -0700

So, i bought a few GRE study guides and applying to grad school guides.The problem is that I realized that with my visual processing problems the things are to long and difficult to read. In school i get all of my books in e-text or on CD(this is an acomidation because of the disability) i need to find some guides in similar formats. I e-mailed the web master about getting the guide that offered on this site(i need to pay with a check) but i haven't heard anything back. Although i still want the one offered here does anyone know of any other ones offered in formats other than printed books? Multiple perspectives are always good. By the way pdf is also a problem because my screen reader can't read them.

What to include or leave out of the personal statement

Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:58 -0700

Hi, I'm new here. I have cerebral palsy CP, which affects my ability to walk, write and process visual information.

I think I can be open and straight up here. Part of the reason I am interested in psychology is that I have a dissociative disorder (DDNOS) myself. So far it has not had a negative impact on my academic success (I have a 3.2 GPA) So, I did not tell the accommodations office about it. Is this something that one would want to include in a personal statement?

Need help on GRE Quantitative

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 15:55:32 -0700

I've been preparing for the GRE, but am hating it. I haven't done math for like 15 years and now I'm being asked to remember stuff I never liked, have never used, and was never good at. More importantly, this is an important component to my grad admissions application, so I've got to do better.

Any idea on resources that could help me learn more in this area, more quickly and more effectively?

Giorgio

Getting Their Attention

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 17:19:46 -0700

I will be applying to doctoral programs in 2008, however, I do not have a masters degree in the field to which I am applying (the field is a unique area of study in the humanities...my masters degree is closely related).

My undergraduate GPA was 3.0 from a selective private college; my masters GPA was 3.9 from a nonselective public university. I have presented at various conferences, will have four years of full-time work experience in a related field, and will have strong letters of rec/writing sample.

My weak area is foreign languages. The top programs in this field require fluency in at least one foreign language. After several attempts--including classes at a local university and private tutoring--I have been unmotivated to learn a foreign language.

Can a 3.0 GPA be detrimental?

Sun, 06 Aug 2006 10:32:06 -0700

The "101 Things (Not) To Do at Your Thesis Defense" was one of the funniest things I've ever read, considering that I've been through an undergraduate thesis oral defense committee already; I was laughing hysterically at my visions of how my board might have reacted had I pulled any of those stunts.

Also, thanks for the advice concerning graduate school admissions. Very sound information.

Question: do you know if an approximately 3.0 GPA, along with mediocre GRE scores, can be detrimental to an application that has a stellar personal statement, writing sample, letter of recommendation from an alum. of the intended graduate school, and common interest(s) with one or more faculty. Specifically, I wrote my thesis on a topic that is very aligned with the interests of one of the professors at my top choice school.

What are good undergrad classes to take?

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 11:54:05 -0700

Besides psychology classes, what classes do grad school committees like and look for? What classes, if any, do they not like? I'm a senior and while the university thinks my degree is almost complete, I don't feel like it is or like I'm ready to graduate. Thoughts?

-M. Walbridge

Dead end, or just a wilderness?

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 12:57:36 -0700

Thank you very much for the site which you provide on searching for graduate schools. As you stated it can be frustrating and different to anyone who attempts it. Then there is no particular way or path which to follow. (Maybe I have already sent you this mesaage I am not sure, but I did want to add that on my personal computer I have made a form with the schools in which I am interested and the programs which they offer. Now I would just like to know what should my next step be?)

Now in my searching I know what I want but have come to somewhat of a 'dead end', I guess it would be better to say 'a wilderness', because I just do not know what my next step should be. I did read another site which gave some advice in this area, but did not print it out like I did yours, and have not been able to find it again. Also that site was geared more to those who are still in school, and I have been out of school for a number of years. Also you provided encouragement to me, when you said that one's GPA is not so important because mine was not very high, and you say it is more important to be creative, which I can.

Second time around

Mon, 22 May 2006 05:44:35 -0700

I tried to get in to Ph.d programs for this fall but I didn't get in anywhere. I almost got into one school, though--I was flown down for an interview but in the end it was anotehr student who was better qualified for the lab of the professor I wanted to work with (I am interested in a Ph.d in Zoology or evolutionary biology).

Anyway, i know i applied to difficult programs and i didnt' really know what i was doign the first time around. but now i am better prepared the second time around and i am working in industry right now. is it harder to get in after a few years working? do you know anything about that?

Unmotivating

Sat, 20 May 2006 03:36:45 -0700

I just received a link to your "graduate school lite" and I must say its really unmotivating. I've worked my butt off preparing for graduate school in robotics. I had been told a graduate degree from a top school provides an excellent opportunity post graduation to work on robotics projects, as a bachelors only merits busy entry level work and you have to have a masters to get the resources to work on the big stuff. In addition, I though that robotics have serious application, and having done research myself, I have seen the major impact it does make, and its not only fun, it also has serious money.

(I'm) Getting into grad school!

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 01:58:16 -0700

I just read excerpts from your website, "Getting In: An Applicant's Guide to Graduate School Admissions."

I must say, I very much enjoyed reading it. Although I stumbled upon the site after applying to grad school, I can tell you that most of it is totally on the mark.

I'm starting my PhD in Art History at Brown University in September and that's because I did most of the things you outline on that site. It really is a wonderful resource.

Great job!

Abe

Expectations and Perceptions...

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:55:07 -0800

What were some expectations and/or perceptions you had about graduate school prior to applying? How did you go about choosing your graduate program? Is there anything you wish you had known prior to applying that would've been helpful or saved you a lot of time?

Apply now or later?

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:33:52 -0800

Dare I call you my guardian angel? I am a soul that wears a sign reading, "graduate school or bust", and I fear the latter may have a higher probability or the two. I am Miss Maria Average, and sadly so in every sense of the word. Though I am not applying, as of this moment, to any school that holds the key to my academic future, I email you for some guidance.

I have 3.0 GPA, though is still awaiting 2 more semesters worth of grading. I have not taken my GREs yet and already have three letters of recommendation. My question to you is, do you think I should continue for one more semester to boost my grades before I begin the actual process of applying?

Waiving rights to references

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 01:08:52 -0800

How long you have been out of grad school? Nowadays no referee can show you what they say about you since you MUST waive the right to read the letters they put together for you. If you do not waive the right prospective universities will not even take you app into consideration. I cannot put a reference letter on file anywhere and then ask to send it out. Any reference letter, to be official, goes from the prof to the recipient program. What is your stance?

2nd attempt - overcoming fears of rejection

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 01:05:58 -0800

How did you get over your fears of being rejected a second time? I'm still facing that fear and it has hindered the process of apply to grad school greatly.