Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with GRE

Can anyone recommend a good graduate school for Nutrition Major?

pixxie — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:32:43 -0800

Hi, I only have 1 1/2 years till I'm completely done my undergraduate nutrition degree in Canada. I've already established that I want to pursue a masters, however, the only school I have been checking online is Columbia's Department of Nutrition because it is the only school I can think of which offers a decent program. Is it true? If not, does anyone have any good suggestions (NA, Europe, Asia)? Right now, I'm mostly interested in the subject of metabolic disorders. Before telling me your answer, I think it is important to know the pros & cons about me.

Pros:

1] I've been taking a lot of 500-level courses relating to physiology and experimental medicine (e.g. advanced applied cardiovascular physiology and endocrinology)

2] I have been volunteering for a non-governmental organization for quite a long time now

3] GPA is +3.6

Cons:

1] Haven't written my GRE yet (this summer, but I don't know where to begin!)

2] This is my 2nd degree, I did a degree in chemistry before but my GPA was very low (3.12), got some F's that I'm not very proud of :(

3] No research experience because I feel that my degree doesn't really offer any good biological lab techniques compares to someone in physiology or biochemistry let's say. This is definitely my downside. I hope to email some professors this summer who work in the hospital, but why would they hire me instead of a physio major?

4] Haven't taken Genetics

GRE: You are a bastard

mrgreyisyelling — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:36:56 -0800

How important is that analytical section on the GRE? See, I took the test once: 580-V and 600-Q, 4.5 A

This was unacceptable, so I studied as hard as I could for a month, basically willed a great score out of the machine: 690 V (96%!) 780 Q (90%!)

And I was high on my horse until two days ago: my freaking analytic score was 3.5 (20%!!!!!!!!). I have no idea why I got a lower score (last time I didn't even finish writing), let alone such a lower score.

This is totally killing my high. All the programs are accepting writing samples, and I feel I'm a fairly accomplished in this area, so I'm _sure_ it will be ok. But...

Am I? Should I note in my SoP that I have no idea why I got such a low score, but bet-you-ten-bucks I can write? How important are these 'analytical' scores anyway? Everyone seems to get 5, why can't I?

should I.....retake???

Sick: GRE as AskMefi: ???

andoatnp — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:25:30 -0800

I'm getting sick and taking the GRE on Monday. Anything I should be doing between now and then and best medicines for the day of? I've developed a sore throat and very light congestion. I'm taking the GRE in 36 hours. I'm about to go to sleep now (it's 1am where I am) and I'm wondering what might be anything I should do on sunday during the day, and especially the best medicine if I'm having trouble falling asleep Sunday night.

Also, if I'm feeling particularly bad on monday morning, what is the best thing to do? Any special drinks or snacks I should bring with me to the test? Thanks!

help with the Math GRE

milestogo — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:00:20 -0800

Attention, Math students: I have some questions for those of you who have taken the GRE math subject test. I have been studying for the GRE math subject test for awhile now, mostly preparing using the Priceton Review book, which I found very helpful. I have also been taking tests from the REA book, which I have found extremely hard, and, more importantly, qualitatively different from the test in the Princeton Review book. I do very poorly on them, how worried should I be? Does anyone have experience with the math GRE in general, or these books in particular?

Also: Do you have any general advice for preparation for this test?

General advice for success on this test?

Please help me prepare!

Give me a qualitative analysis of the GRE.

zoomorphic — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:31:14 -0800

At the very last minute, I'm applying to grad school to get my PhD in English. Hooray! Except that I'm abysmal at math. How much will that hurt my chance at top PhD programs in English? Because I've got two weeks to A) teach myself basic algebra for the GRE, and B) stop psyching myself out to the point of panic attacks. I always figured I'd go back to grad school eventually to study English and teach, and this decision feels really right. Too bad I reached it three days ago. My first pick among English programs has an admission deadline of 12/1.

Here I was, worrying about whether I should write a statement of purpose about postcolonial feminism or new-history theory, and ha ha, I can't multiply decimals. I've always struggled at math, but since I haven't touched it since high school, I am exponentially dumber than when I took the SAT.

Let's assume I will do well at verbal and writing on the GRE. Let's assume I produce a sterling 20-page admission essay and a humbly ambitious statement of purpose. Let's assume I earn disappointing marks on quantitative. How much will (really) low quantitative scores mar my overall English PhD candidacy?

My time is very limited. Because I anticipate that quantitative is going to put a huge chink in my armor, I'm tempted to spend most of my time perfecting a good essay, drafting an impressive statement of purpose, and beefing up my verbal abilities, which is where I shine on tests. This strategy also has a whiff of avoidance to it: throwing my hands up in the air because I can't juggle quadratic equations.

Secondly, how I stop freaking myself out about this? I crack open these GRE math study books and I am near-tears with terror that I'm blowing my chances at an academic future.

Thirdly, what books helped you out? I've got til November 17th to reacquaint myself with math concepts.

Lastly, if anyone has good or bad anecdotes or words of advice, please, lob them at me. I'm slightly adrift in my priorities and insecurities, and I need some perspective. I'm applying mainly to schools in Chicago, but I'm currently in NYC, if that helps.

High GPA Versus Low GRE

Delfena — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:51:46 -0800

Does a high GPA make up for a low GRE score for grad school admissions? Should I send my scores to schools if they are "recommended" but not required? I'm scheduled to take the GRE in two weeks. I took a Princeton Review study course over the summer, but didn't improve as much as I would have liked. My practice test score is around 1160, but I did receive a 5 (out of 6) on both writing sections. I'm applying to 4 grad schools, and only one of them requires GRE scores. My question is, should I send my scores to the schools that only "recommend" but not require them? If I do, and they end up being low (around my practice score), will my 3.98 GPA and good letters of rec make up for it? Would it look bad if I didn't send in my scores at all? Oh, my field of study is Urban Planning, and the schools I'm applying to are Portland State, NYU, UC Irvine, and the University of British Columbia. (UCI is the one that requires the GRE) Thanks!

Anyone taken computer based GRE?

bilbo baggins — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:40:30 -0800

Anyone taken the GRE computer based General Test? I am computer literate, however having never taken a test on a computer I am kind of freaked out just by the sound of it. Will there still be paper for me to write problems out on? Can I skip a question and come back to it? Has anyone taken the paper based test and the computer base test? If so how do they compare?

What happens if I don't show up for the GREs?

suedehead — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:58:25 -0800

How to solve the GREs-- not the test, but the registration! What happens if I don't show up to the test? I signed up for the GRE for this Saturday. On Monday, I realized that the test narrowly overlaps with another test, and that I should reschedule the test. I tried to reschedule on Tuesday, three full days before the test --- or so I thought. It turns out that "three full days" means "three full days not including the test date or the cancellation date". In other words: I should have canceled five full days before the test.

Now I have a GRE looming ahead of me in the next two days, I can't cancel it, and I'm pretty sure that I'll be 200% more prepared if I take it, oh, next week (I spent most of my time memorizing vocab, not taking practice tests). Here's my question:

1) Is there anyway to cancel/reschedule?
2) If not, what happens if I don't show up? Will not showing up on Saturday mean that I still can't take a GRE again until October? Or since I didn't take the test at all, would it be possible to sign up for another GRE next next week (in September) or so?

I tried to look online and to call, but I was faced with long, long wait times (ten minutes+ just to navigate the phone menus?) and hazy details. I'm hoping someone who has been in a similar situation/knows the details can shed some light on my questions.

Thanks so much!

How to ace the Psychology GRE?

solipsophistocracy — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:24:47 -0800

Can you point me to some good resources to prepare for the GRE Subject Test in Psychology? I found a ton of great resources for the general test online (mostly thanks to AskMe), but am having less luck with the Psychology subject test. I've been told that it's not much more complex than a comprehensive exam for an introductory psych course, but I'd really like to blow it out of the water.

I have the ETS guidebook, and I'm willing to purchase another book or some software if there's something out there that really knocked your socks off, but I'd prefer to find some free resources online.

I'm also interested in any study strategies you might have (but for this test in particular, not just general test taking tips). If you took the test, what did you like/dislike about it? What surprised you? What would you have spent more time focusing on?

I have about nine weeks to prepare, and have planned for about an hour of study per day.

GRE prep

anonymous78 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:33:14 -0800

What's your favorite "word of the day" site? I'd like to sign up for some as part of my GRE prep.

Test: Skill :: MAT : ?

Miko — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:21:55 -0800

MAT vs. GRE: Does it matter? The graduate program I'm applying to [American Studies with a certificate in Public Culture and History] requires either the GRE -or- the MAT.

I don't want to take both and won't have time to take either more than once between now and the application deadline. I'm inclined to take the MAT because it's shorter, cheaper, and I think I have good skills at logical analysis. Evidence suggests I would probably do very well on the GRE verbal, but low-mediocre-to-very-poor on the mathematics.

My question is this: is there any reason to think one is a better choice than another? Funding? Strength on the application? Fit with field? Just want to make sure I don't create a detriment. Thanks for anything you can offer.

Yet another grad school advice question

fictionalcara — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:26:42 -0800

How does an aspiring graduate student in English traverse the confusion of the graduate school application process? I am four years removed from my undergraduate career (University of Washington, English, 3.39 overall GPA, closer to 3.6 major GPA) with a bit of a complicated history. I was an all-college honors student, one of the only humanities recipients of an undergraduate research grant from the Mary Gates Foundation and 3.85 overall GPA holder until near the end of my junior year when, according to the un-funniest Hollywood script, things fell apart. I dropped out of the extra honors workload both at the all-college level and within the English Department and barely managed to squeak through my senior year with poor grades to make it to commencement, knowing I had to complete one class within my major the summer after commencement in order to finish the requirements for my degree. As you may guess, I never finished the last class and instead silently drifted away from the University with horrible guilt and disappointment.

Fast-forward 3 years later, after having worked one-too-many restaurant jobs and flitting about with little true responsibility, I woke up and began to rediscover my first true love for academics. I was finally ready to confront my old undergraduate demons and just finish once and for all. Despite having moved to CA, I discovered that I need only take any transferable English course at my local community college in order to satisfy the last remining requirement for my degree. Last semester I did just that, and now I finally have my piece of paper! In addition, my preparation for the graduate school application process has included:

- Refreshing my 7 years of Spanish
- Beginning French (if I am able to start grad school in the Fall of '09 I will have completed two full years of college French)
- Studying for the GRE
- Studying for the GRE Subject Test in Literature (Norton Anthologies, reading some of the Big Names)
- Taking two undergraduate level English courses at UCLA starting in a few weeks, in hopes of showing promising and current university-level work, plus two letters of recommendation

When I originally went to college I wanted to teach. The longer I was in school (before the break-down), the more I realized that I wanted to mold college-aged minds. Truthfully I would like to teach literature at a small, liberal arts university, but since the process of that coming to be is potentially very far off, at this point I am happy with the idea of getting my masters and then considering the possibility of teaching at a community college first.

Ideally I would like to go somewhere that will allow for teaching experience and offer as much funding as possible. From what I can tell, the Cal State system which is local and convenient to me does not fit that mold. However what are the chances that I would be competitive (depending on test scores and recommendations, I realize) as an applicant to higher programs, either masters or doctorate level? The maze of offerings is positively dizzying. Some offer only terminal masters, with or without funding, some offer only doctoral level programs straight from a BA with or without funding, some are big names and others are not, but I need to find ones that are appropriate for me. I am afraid to be so clueless as to apply to schools that are either way out of my league, or overlook the smaller name hidden gem that would have been perfect for me, had I only known about it.

My question is, how do I know where I need to go considering my experience and aspirations? Given my academic record and current status, where should I be concentrating my attentions? Short of manually looking at the website of every degree-granting institution, how do I find the right fit?

If it helps, my interest lies in 19th and 20th century American Literature and Culture, Gender Studies, Transnational Studies and Cinema Studies (my undergraduate research combined women silent film stars, transnational dialogues within literature, popular culture and advertisements with 19th and early 20th century feminist literature).

Personal experiences are also very welcome: fictionalcara@gmail.com

What are the best ways to study/approach the GRE?

Viomeda — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:24:32 -0800

What are the best ways to study/approach the GRE? I graduated college in 2006 and would like to take the GRE in the new year. I haven't taken a standardized test since high school and since then only taken a handful of general tests as they were not the main requirement at the college I attended. I am quite confident in my writing and comprehension skills but the experience is rather intimidating, especially the math portion. I have never been one of those natural test takers (lucky bastards) and need to put in a lot of hours to feel prepared and less anxious. Can anyone bestow some piece of knowledge of how to make the GRE a successful experience?

Is it random?

bluejayk — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 18:05:15 -0800

Do standardized tests (SAT, GRE, LSAT, etc.) use randomly sorted answer choices? I don't know how to go about getting a straight answer from the makers of these tests.

When writing a question, the writers must write 4 incorrect and 1 correct answer. How is the order they are placed determined?

I had kinda assumed that on harder tests (GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT) that the answers were at least sometimes arranged in a non-random (test-writer chosen) method. But in a discussion I've been having, everyone else thinks that's crazy.

If the answer order is chosen by people, in order to sometimes make the answers more difficult to choose (example: putting a superficially attractive incorrect answer before the correct choice), that makes it non-random, even if each answer letter comprises 20% of the answer choices. Right?

However, I don't really know if they do that, or if I just notice when they do, and discount it when they don't.

Anyplace I can find hard evidence?

Stuck in a bog of Graduate Decisions

stratastar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:11:23 -0800

Help me decide what venue of higher education to pursuit. Let me give a rough rundown or blueprint of my situation so you all can get a feeling of where I am and why I'm in this quagmire:

-Recent graduate of undergraduate humanities program. Really enjoyed my course load and did well in my respective fields of practice. General affinity towards academia
-completed honors thesis, which was a mix of aesthetics/art history, literature, structuralist theory and philosophy.

-Pragmatic (financial) thinking coupled with a good tenure in my university's student judiciary and intellectually stimulating pre-law classes prompted me to take the LSATs...scored well (mid 160s) but not great (170+). Instead of applying straight, graduated and moved to a job as a legal assistant to get a feel for that field (as well as some needed cash).

-Currently working as a Legal Assistant and am quite miserable with the banality of the job and "office life." Planning on quiting in the next week or so...perhaps fill in the time with a temp job (what to do?) to keep the finances in order.

--------

Basically, I've ruled out Law School. Although I have seesawed between the idealistic starving artist/academic path and the pragmatic/enjoy a 911 Turbo/Law Career path, I truly believe that the former and not the latter will be right for me because my heart is in the humanities and my sense of cash is in law.

But here's the kicker: What area of graduate studies do I pursuit? I was an English Lit/Lang major but I tended to draw myself towards more theoretical and philosophical endeavors. A PhD in Phil is a huge commitment and it seems like an uphill struggle in a competitive field of academia.

I am quite certain that I will take the GREs in about 6 -9 months, but I don't know what programs I could apply to?
I also have some interest in economics and financial markets, but no real formal undergraduate experience in either (I started off in the business school but left to pursuit education in the humanities).

Basically, I feel like a Renaissance man in that I have interest in such a wide variety of fields, but I can't really hone myself into one that I believe will have a future in terms of stability as well as intellectual and personal gratification.

Any tips? Many thanks...

Tests and Politics...

MayNicholas — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:57:06 -0800

Grad school questions... GRE time (Saturday)... I have checked out the past questions asked about free practice sites and found a couple of them useful. I am terrified that I am going to bomb since I just can't seem to wrap my head around any of the math concepts. I haven't take math since HS and that was 16 years ago- but I'm great with statistics. Anyone have any good thoughts on how to use my statistics knowledge and apply it to the math portion? Also any more free practice sites to recommend? Thankfully my school doesn't have a cut off score. I have already spoken with the 2 proffs I plan to apply to work with and 2 of the grad students that will be looking at my app. One of which is my TA for one of my classes. She assured me that they look at everything, so I'm trying to keep all these things in mind so I don't freak out more than I am. Anymore thoughts of calm that got you through these stupid tests would also be greatly appreciated.
Also, any thoughts on anything else I can be doing. I always make a point to chat with my TA (not always- as in to the point of talking to hear myself talk- but just when I have something to say). She usually looks to me to get feedback on how the class went and how she can improve kind of thing. I'm really trying to up my political game to help improve my odds of getting in. I am on the reasearch team of one of the proffs I will be trying to work with and next semester I have already gotten permission from the other one to be on his team. What else can I be doing (aside from of course not asking MeFi questions when I should be studying)?

Help me be a good vocab tutor.

crackingdes — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:37:15 -0800

I need your advice on how to help an adult English speaker expand his vocabulary to excel on the GRE. I'm going to be tutoring an adult for the first time in a couple days. He is studying for the GRE and wants help expanding his vocabulary. I believe he is a native English speaker, and if not, he's definitely fluent.

I scored highly on the verbal section of the GRE (98th percentile), so I'm confident in my knowledge of the material. But, I don't have a great deal of experience with tutoring, and I've never tutored someone my own age before. How can I be a good teacher? Do you have any good tips or tricks for helping non-verbal people expand their verbal skills? Any specific things I should avoid? Any hints, advice, or personal experiences would be very much appreciated.

Can I use my commute to improve my GRE score?

lxs — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:05:43 -0800

How can I study for the GRE vocab section while walking to/from the train/work and, primarily, while standing on the subway during rush hour? I'm studying for the GRE, which I'm taking for the second time on October 22. I ride the subway twice a day for a good amount of time during rush hour and then spend about a half hour walking to/from the train/work. I've been wracking my brain trying to come up with some way to incorporate GRE studying into my commute. I almost never get a seat and so flashcards don't work well. I do have an ipod, but haven't found any good podcasts (everything I've seen looks sounds pretty mediocre) or ways to use it. I saw flashcard software which looked great but was pricey. I'm primarily concerned with the verbal section and learning vocab words. Any ingenious methods for studying while standing up using one hand?

ETS: Endless Trials Service

melangell — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:18:59 -0800

I took the GRE this past weekend. I have tried to find the percentile ranks for my scores, but (shockingly!) ETS does not make this easy to do. More inside... Perhaps ETS will send these in the mail, I really don't know, since all they said when I left the testing center was "see ya." My scores were 670 verbal and 410 math (abysmal math, I know). I will be applying for a masters in English Literature. I graduated with a 4.0 and am wondering if my academic record and GRE verbal scores would place me in a category where it would not be unreasonable to apply to some Ivy League programs. What do you think, Metafilter friends? (P.S. Happy Valentine's Day y'all!)

Funneling words into my noodle at a rapid rate

dead_ — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 08:35:49 -0800

What are the best (free) online exercises to prepare for the GRE? I'm looking specifically for flash or web based exercises that are designed to build vocabulary for the verbal section of the GRE test. I'm not looking for word lists--there are plenty of those widely available--but rather I want something that I can do in my spare time, like a game type of thing. Something that will help build my vocab and not bore me to tears.

Online flashcard type of stuff, or whatever. Any ideas?? I haven't found much, as Googling for it brings up mostly commercial dross.

Studying for the GRE

jk252b — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:53:52 -0800

Are catprep.com and 800score.com legit sites for GRE prep? I'm looking for real-life Computer Adaptive Tests (like what I'll have on test day) that I can use to practice. Most of the major companies (Kaplan, Princeton Review, Barron's, etc) only offer static computer tests that don't actually adapt to your performance like the real GRE does. Besides the measly two tests I can download from ETS, I've run across two companies on the internet that claim to offer adaptive tests more like the real GRE: catprep.com and 800score.com.

Has anyone ever used one of these companies? Are they legit? Do the resulting scores reflect reality? Are there other sites I've missed?

GRE Literature Subject Test

mammary16 — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 09:27:35 -0800

A friend of mine is taking the GRE English Literature Subject test in a couple weeks. She was an English major in undergraduate. Any tips on a quick study plan? She will be getting her hands on some Norton anthologies, and has a Kaplan book. Anybody have specific pieces of advice?

Thanks!

Test prep books for the GRE?

apple scruff — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:10:12 -0800

Books for GRE prep? Which ones did you use to prepare for the exam? I'm planning on taking the GRE before the major changes go into effect. I'm really shooting for the stars in terms of my score, and I'm willing to dedicate a lot of time and effort to my studies.

I know that the GRE has been covered here in the past, but what I am looking for is specifically what book/s did you use to prepare? Which brand (Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc.) did you find to be the most helpful? Did one big book cover your studies, or did you supplement it with a book specifically for math or for vocabulary? And practice quizzes: did you take them out of a book, or is there software that you used? Any suggestions will be appreciated!

I need to pass.

LoriFLA — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 08:03:55 -0800

Another GRE question. I need a score of 840 to apply for a graduate program I am interested in. An application submitted by December 31 is required for Spring admission.

I am sure I could diligently work through a test-prep book, but I don't know how long it would take to feel confident with the material. I haven't even purchased a book yet. Math is one of my weak points, and I would need a lot of review in that area. My sister, who is generally smarter than me, mentioned that several of the English questions were difficult.

I want to score well enough the first time. Would it be in my best interest to hold off and take the GRE with more than a couple months of preparation?

Also, what study book/tutoring services do you recommend? I notice some prep courses cost in the thousands of dollars. I thought it was a typo!

Thanks for any advice.

Take the GRE and cancel the score?

gregb1007 — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 18:38:32 -0800

Is it possible to take the GRE without having the score counted on my record? I would like to take the GRE but only to experience the simulation of the test experience and to obtain an idea of my strengths and weaknesses (more precisely, my score range.) Is it possible to do take the real GRE and have my score revealed to me but not recorded anywhere?