Yes, I know I’ve been out for most of September. I’m tempted to back date posts, but I think I’ll be good. Why have I been so busy you ask? The dreaded GRE. The GRE is a terrible exam that graduate schools make you take in order to get into their schools. The full name is Graduate Record Exam. I prefer General Rectal Exam.

It isn’t exactly a hard test. It’s about vocabulary, basic middle school math, and of course knowing how to take the test. I’ve been studying all month, because this is not an exam you can just cram for the night before the test. The GRE website offers powerprep software which includes two of the computer tests, which is great practice. I keep only getting 550 on it though, which is not enough. Sure, it’s the minimum cutoff for PhD programs in Psychology, but to actually get in you need at least 650 on each part.

The whole thing is rather worrisome because so much emphasis is put on your score. I have other merits, I’m a good candidate. Of course, there are 50 other people that are qualified as well so even if I apply and have the right stuff, no gaurantee I’ll get in. If I don’t get into a PhD program, I’ll probably hit the master’s first. We’ll see, but the whole thing is stressful.

Test is tomorrow afternoon. I plan on buying myself a cute knitted mitt pattern as a “reward” for getting through it. Then it’s the Psychology GRE test that I start studying for. Not too worried about that one.

Suggestions for Psychology Students Applying to PhD Programs:

  1. Start while you’re in College. I needed a break, wanted to experience life outside of school and do some volunteering to make sure this is what I wanted to do. While that isn’t necessarily bad, I would advise that you get your letters of recommendation while still in school.
  2. Join Psi Chi and stay active in it. It was a mistake for me not to join it, even though I was super busy and doing other things.
  3. Participate in research labs. Even if it’s just joining a lab. I had a great time in the lab I worked in, and decided that I really like research! I would recommend that you join in your first or second  year, and then do an honor’s thesis.

The craft posts will start back after Saturday, because I’ll actually have time to knit and crochet and sew and cross-stitch… Wow, I do a lot of crafts.

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