I have often wondered why programs insist in relying on the GRE as a measurement of a students potential for success and/or admittance to their program. First of all, the GRE is nothing but a randomized exam that tests so-called "skills" that few if any people ever use or have used in their professional and/or academic lives. The idea of using a standardized exam as a tool to deny potentially great students a quality graduate education has been something that has bothered me for a very long time. Too many departments place the bulk of their acceptance decisions on the GRE, despite their claims else wise.

I'm studying for the GRE and I'm doing a fairly decent job of acquiring the skills necessary to do well on the exam. However, I didn't do very well on my SAT's, so I am considering taking a Kaplan course.

Personally, I have found the Kaplan Math Book a bit challenging, while the Verbal Book was rife with banalities. I have mixed feelings plopping down $500+ for an online course.

Do you feel the material is worth the expense, or should I keep studying utilizing Kaplan, Barrons, and various supplemental materials?

There's plenty of commercial flash card and shared programs on the market - I just found JFlashCard from the Wikipedia page on The GRE test and it seems like a pretty decent program.

Does anyone else have recommendations on similar programs?

I am currently applying to Grad Schools, and i came across your web site while researching online. I greatly enjoyed your advices about Grad schools, it is very helpful, and diverse in its approach. It is not everyday that i come across something that keeps me stuck to the monitor, grabbing my attention, for more than a couple of hours non-stop.

More power to you, this stuff is very creative, and helpful.

Thank you.

I bought your book (electronic version) last year when I was applying to Ph.D. programs. I found the book helpful and I did get into all but one of the programs I applied to. I am now studying tropical botany (my field of choice) with a teaching assistantship and a fellowship.

I met a friend this summer at a field course in Panama who is now applying to grad school. I'd like to share your book with her. Would it be OK if I sent her the electronic version and then delete it from my system (since I no longer need it)? That way it would be just as if I had a hard copy of the book and gave it to her (which is of course legal with regard to copyright).

I'm confused - which should it be:

1. I'm interested in getting into grad school.
2. I'm interested in getting in to grad school.

I feel like such a word-nerd, but I can't figure out which is the proper use of each word. You seem to feel it's the second format, but I'm not sure why.

Thanks!

I'm a grad student putting together a web page for the students I teach. I was wondering if I could attach a link to your page "Getting in: An Applicant's Guide to Graduate School Admissions" - I find your page very informative (I especially like the grad school humor) and would like to share this info with students here. I would, of course, properly acknowledge you as author of the site (in addition to the info at the bottom of the site).