Can I apply to grad school and take the GREs in 20 days?

May 11, 2006 7:18 AM

I've been checking out grad schools for a while and Tuesday evening found the program I want to apply to. The deadline for Fall 06 is June 1.

Can I possibly make a June 1 deadline? I'm looking to apply to Simmons' GSLIS for an MLS degree (I'll be attending part-time).

I'm sending off for my undergrad transcripts today, I've figured out who I'd like to ask for references (2 are in my office + 1 wrote a reference for my current job, so I have something to start from with her), and I have copies of the financial aid and application materials. The one part I'm really worried about is the GREs.

It sounds goofy to say I'd like to do really well (who wouldn't?), but I'm not terribly proud of my grades as an undergrad. In any continuing ed. classes since college I've received As and also have done very well in the working world. Simmons requires GREs if you didn't get a certain GPA in your undergrad years. I feel like doing well would prove I'm smarter than my transcripts imply. I had some rough years (personally) 18-23, so college suffered.

All of that said, can I pull this off for a June 1 deadline? I'd also be interested to hear if you think I'm putting too much weight on the GREs. I've been out of college almost 10 years.

posted by jdl to education (13 comments total)

You might just be able to make it.

When are scores reported?

If you take the computer-based General Test, you can view your unofficial verbal and quantitative scores at the test center; however, because of the essay scoring process, you will not be able to view your analytical writing scores at that time. Verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores on the computer-based General Test will be sent to you and the institutions you designate within 10 to 15 days of your test administration.

As for whether you're putting too much weight on the GREs, it really depends on the program. Some places put a lot of weight on standarized testings, while other places use the test only because university higher-ups force them to and in practice basically ignore it.
posted by BackwardsCity at 7:26 AM on May 11, 2006

Whether or not you're putting too much weight on the GRE score depends on the program. But it will take about 10 working days to get your scores sent to the program after your testing date, and it's hard to get a testing date with less than 5-10 days lead time. So, yes, it's do-able, but before you read any more advice, register for the test today.

(Side note: From decision to deadline, I did my grad school application in about 20 days. But it wasn't much fun, and getting the GRE done was one of the sticking points. Also, you need to give people you ask for letters as much time as possible, particularly if any of them are back at your old college and trying to close out their semesters.)
posted by j-dawg at 7:30 AM on May 11, 2006

Get good letters of reference and get them ASAP!
posted by k8t at 7:43 AM on May 11, 2006

Usually these deadlines are more like guidelines. Write the department and say what timeline you're looking at, and they'll very likely say "Yeah, that'll be fine." They don't have governmental restrictions requiring them to only take people who make the official date, nor (most likely) are they looking for excuses to screen you out.

On the other hand, June 1 for the fall is really really late. They may not have much slack time in their process. But they probably have enough for your purposes.
posted by Aknaton at 7:58 AM on May 11, 2006

If you have a decent GPA (3.0+) from your undergrad days, don't even bother with the GREs at Simmons. I didn't. They brought me in for an interview, I said nice things about learning in the classroom over learning online, and I was in.

Call'em up and explain your situation. Really, Simmons wants your money more than it wants your scores. Ask if you can come in for an interview ASAP, get your transcript and letters of reference to them, and just keep bugging them.

And whatever you do, don't take Sitkin for Cataloging. Very smart woman, but she pretty much just reads from the AACR. Take Hennessey instead. Avoid Chen!

Email's in profile for more info, if you like.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:02 AM on May 11, 2006

- You are right to think that very good GRE scores will off-set poor grades, and so will very good reccomendations. You also need to be able to explain why you did poorly in those classes should they ask. Just keep in mind that honesty is the best policy, the reason doesn't have to be convoluted or dramatic.

- Sign up for the GRE today! Then go to a local bookstore and grab a test-prep book so that you don't go into the test blind. The GRE is a computer adaptive test and therefore taking it is a bit different then taking any other standardized test. (Hint: it is crucial to get the first 10 questions in a section correct. It is good of the las few questions of a section seem damn near impossible; it means you've done well.)

- Contact the school ASAP. For some programs you only need to begin the application process by the deadline not have it all in. In any case, graduate programs can bend just about any rule they wish to (I once had then change a course for me after the semester was over.) They are probably perfectly willing to cut you some slack for a day or two if you explain how excited you are about their program and how much you really want to start ASAP.

- If things go badly ask the department about the possibility of entering the program mid-year. Many programs have established rules for this, many others may be willing to make an exception for you. Starting in January is better than having to wait a whole year.

- Finally keep in mind that getting into graduate school is in some ways a lot like getting a job. If you can convince them that they want you (by having a great application package or just talking them into the idea that you are a great fit for the program) they will bend over backwards to convince you to accept them.
posted by oddman at 9:04 AM on May 11, 2006

You don't say how old you are so I don't know if you have dealt with computer-based predictive tests. Being 35 and out of school for a bit, my experience with the GRE earlier this year was my first time. I didn't have an issue with it on the verbal section (and I did particularly well there) but on the math section it kicked my ass - I have never before in my life failed to complete all the sections in an standardized exam.

I've historically tested well, so I walked into the GRE with 0 prepwork. My girlfriend thought I was nuts and as it turns out we were both right. If you've been out of school long or it's been a while since you took a math class you should probably spend some time reviewing for that section, if for no other reason than I suspect I personally could have improved significantly just by being more comfortable with some of the techniques I'd have to bust out.

I don't think you can study for standardized tests but you can make sure you're comfortable with the techniques you need to use in them. You're not going to learn much in the way of test-taking skills in just a week if you don't already have them. Don't worry about learning new things, just knock the rust off the stuff you learned in the past.

When I completed the exam they gave me a sheet showing the scores and the percentage distribution. (page 13 of this PDF) The verbal is insanely topheavy with the top 10% of scores covering the entire 640-800 range. On the quantitative measurement you need to get a perfect 800 to be in the 92nd percentile.

That also means that going from 580 to 680 in the math area moves you from sub-50% up to 64% rather than an already not-bad 80 to 95% in the verbal. 680 to 700 is worth 4% on the math, 1% on the verbal. So if your math score is at all pertinent to your target program that might be the place to concentrate your efforts.
posted by phearlez at 12:20 PM on May 11, 2006

oddman's right. Graduate departments can bend rules if they want to. They probably don't need materials by the deadline. The deadline is probably a postmark date, anyway, not a "must have arrived by then" date.

So, first, get your GRE date set. Then, call the admissions office. Ask if your date will work. The person answering the phones can probably be very helpful, and since they're probably not the one making the admission decisions, you can ask for help rather than try to impress.

So, you want to ask about dates, and if you can, you want to (delicately) find out who's on the admissions committee. "Will that date work -- when's the committee going to be evaluating the applications? Oh, great! And can you tell me who will be reviewing the applications?"

So, if you have a borderline application, to tip the balance, call professors. Preferably ones on the admissions committee (though not all of them -- that'd be obvious). So, read up on the website about the professors' interests, and call a couple most similar to your interests.

When you call, don't let on that you know they're on the committee, and don't say anything about your application. Tell them you're a prospective student wanting to know more about the program. You want to sound goal-oriented, smart, informed about the program, a good fit (that they teach what you want to learn), and like you have something to contribute (maybe a unique perspective because of your work experience).

For example: "I'm most interested in working in [historical photograph archival.] I wanted to ask your opinion about whether Simmons' program will prepare me for that specialization. I called you because it seems like the courses you teach on [the Dewey Decimal System] could be some of the most helpful to me, and I wanted to learn just a little more about them.... Oh, very interesting, I've been doing ____.... Are there other classes or professors you think are appropriate for my interests?"

They're probably busy, so be fairly quick, and they're probably socially awkward, so don't let that rattle you. The primary goal is that they remember your name, got the impression that you have your act together, and have started imagining how you'd fit in at Simmons. This way, they'll not only personally vote for your application, but if you're borderline, they can advocate for you, explaining to other committee members why you'd be good. Sometimes if even one professor really wants you, it's enough.

GRE -- if you only have time to do one thing, take a practice exam on the computer. The computer format really threw me because I practiced on paper.
posted by salvia at 12:26 PM on May 11, 2006

Thank you so much -- these are amazing answers. I'd like to mark them all as best!

I appreciate the tips on the computer format of the exam. I'm 33 and have never taken a standardized test on a computer. I'm used to number 2 pencils and blue books.

robocop is bleeding thanks so much for the Simmons specific advice. I may indeed take you up on the email offer.

I've emailed the Asst Dean of Admissions today, got one person to say yes to a recommendation, and sent off for all of my transcripts. I'm now on the GRE site to register for a date to take the test.

Thanks again, to all of you!
posted by jdl at 12:35 PM on May 11, 2006

Powerprep is the bare minimum preparation you should take. It has two sample tests in the exact same computer adaptive format as the current GRE. Try to simulate the conditions of the real test as much as possible when you take it. Mentally prepare yourself for an ass-kicking. The goal isn't a perfect score, the goal is to meet the minimum requirements of your dept. Scores are heavily skewed on the GRE because you've got math majors competing against liberal arts majors on the math section and vice versa on the verbal. The skewing on the math is worse, though.

Don't sweat the writing section too much. Just write cogent, complete arguments. (i.e. be a fluent English speaker and don't run out of time.)

Don't try to totally understand the essays in the reading section. ETS makes these things dense and incomprehensible on purpose. Don't read to understand, read to reference back when you answer the questions. Or as you Library Science folks would say, do some data mining. The essays are also meant to be read in a vacuum. Don't let your outside knowledge/lack of knowledge in the subject of the essay affect your reading.

The rest of the verbal section is vocab, vocab, vocab. If you feel like you've left yourself enough time to memorize a buttload of definitions, go for it. Find one of those lists (I believe you can buy packs of flashcards) of the most commonly used GRE words and memorize away.

The good news is that the math section is less sophisticated than the SATs math. It's algebra through simple geometry, pretty much. The Cliff Note's Math Prep for Standardized Tests was recommended to me by various sources, just be sure to skip the parts that aren't relevent to the GRE. Know your basics and have them down to a reflex if you can. For instance, I'm rememorizing the times tables, but that's one of the holes in my knowledge. Find your own holes and patch them as best you can with the time you have.

I don't think the GRE is the end of the world for you. Don't neglect the other pieces of your application.
posted by Skwirl at 12:51 PM on May 11, 2006

Salvia's right and reminds me of something - in the last few years, while flip-flopping on what to do with my continuing education, I've looked into a number of programs and filled out a few forms. One two separate occasions I have been contacted by program administrators trying to suss out my interest in applying... several weeks AFTER the stated deadline. Boston is at least as education-saturated as DC/VA/MD so you may very well be applying for stuff that's got unfilled seats.

Since you're in the same boat I was re:CBT I strongly encourage you to look for some tutorials on managing your time in the test and identifying how long you'll spend on stuff. The GRE books have a lot of stuff about it. I wouldn't buy one but they're free to read while you're in the store. Since the questions get easier or harder based on how you do you can't use the 40 minutes / 20 questions = 2 min per question concept - that's what nailed me.
posted by phearlez at 1:00 PM on May 11, 2006

When you register for the GRE, you will get in the mail a CD with a couple sample tests on it. Not sure how that'll jive with your really-soon-no-really test date, but just fyi.

Also, most public libraries have the GRE books, and many of them will still have the CDs in them. Alternatively, post around Craigslist or something for someone who has finished their test and might be able to pass on their own CD...
posted by whatzit at 1:16 PM on May 11, 2006

Just about one month later, I want to thank you all again so much and give the final outcome. I got a letter in the mail yesterday saying the admission committee has admitted me to the master's degree program for Fall 2006!

So indeed you can apply to grad school and take the GREs in 20 days, but I wouldn't have been confident in that had I not gotten all of this great info and encouragement.

As everyone said, I got my references ASAP, I also used the Kaplan GRE Exam book as well as some resources on the GRE web site. I did a lot of practice tests. I didn't ace the GREs, but I did well enough to be accepted.

Now I need to write Simmons a check to secure my spot and register for classes. Thanks everyone!
posted by jdl at 9:33 AM on July 16, 2006