I'm nervous about applying to a doctoral school. With my two 4.0 GPAs I shouldn't be too worried, and while I'm changing majors again all my majors are related to my intended career path (uni professor), but I haven't taken the GRE yet and its almost entirely compromised of material i haven't been exposed to since high school. I'm planning on applying to top-tier schools, but my GRE score is going to determine whether or not those schools accept me. Furthermore, that GRE score is going to impact whether or not I get a tuition waiver, and large stipend, both of which i'll need if I'm actually going to be able to afford the doctoral degree. I'm terrified that I''m going to "fail" the GRE. My math practice scores were horrendous, though that was in part because I hadn't a chance to relearn any of the material - it took me several minutes to remember what the square root symbol was.
I was browsing the schools today and picked out my favorites. Penn state is my first choice, but only because of its rankings. I'd much rather go to Clark as their program appeals to me more.
I was originally thinking of also applying to a few second-tier schools, as I'd be more likely to get the waiver/stipend at them, but I'm not entirely sure thats in my best interest. I'm thinking if I don't get in to the top schools based on my GRE, it might be best to wait another year, spend a lucrative amount on taking a GRE test prepatory class (they're like $1,000 for 6 sessions) and try again. Bray's dad went to a second tier law school and had to go on 33 job interviews before he was hired and I want to avoid a similar situation if possible
Last time I was looking at colleges the only thing i had the ability to consider was tuition. Looking at colleges based on their educational merits is quite different. its nicer but also scarier because I'm constantly "Do I fit the criteria? I haven't done that.Will they hold it against me that I haven't worked for the prestigious organizations they say some of their applicants have"
27 May 2008, 3:57 pm
