<p>I did my BSc (Psychology) in Jamaica and graduated with First Class Honors and a GPA of 3.83. There, I also completed an undergrad theis dealing with cerebral lateralization. After graduation I took a year off and therein decided to pursue grad school. Since there are no classes for the GRE in my country I pretty much tried to prepare for it on my own (using 2 prep books- Barron’s and Princeton review) and ended up with V= 530, Q= 640 and Analytical = 5.5. I was later accepted to NYU where I did an MA in General Psychology and graduated last May with a 3.78 GPA. While there I was a Research Assistant in the dept’s cognitive psych research lab in my final year and worked closely with the lab’s head professor completing a detailed masters thesis, part of which is to contribute to the findings of that professor’s future article publication. I then decided to take a year to get some work experience (really to help pay for my exorbitant loans). Having returned home I haven’t been able to land a job and am thinking I really want to do a PhD in cognitive psych.</p>
<p>I am now faced with the daunting task of figuring out where to apply. I have looked at Cornell’s program and am thinking about applying there. However, with my prior GRE scores I am a bit uncertain as to whether I would be accepted. Application fees are quite pricey so I am thinking of maybe applying to 3-4 schools max. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what universities to consider? I know that its important to find an advisor whose interests match my own. With my masters research in reading disabilities and metacognition I have been looking for advisors with that kind of background. </p>
<p>A very important aspect of the process is whether my MA credits will transfer as well as funding (tuition remission and stipends) as I absolutely cannot take out anymore loans. This means living in a part of the country that isn’t as expensive as Manhattan was and where I don’t need to have a car to get around. What are my chances of getting into an ivy league school like Cornell or any other for that matter. I so many universities but without a minimum 1200 GRE I fear rejection. Although I hope I don’t have to…would taking the subject GRE for psych help my chances? I am open to any suggestions. HELP!</p>
<p>“With my masters research in reading disabilities and metacognition I have been looking for advisors with that kind of background.”</p>
<p>So I would think of really trying your best to patiently look up any sort of academic societies which pertain to your main area. </p>
<p>Also, think of patiently looking up scholars in your main academic area. You can do that by looking at any academic societies which pertain to your area as well as looking at academic articles off of google scholar. As well as any medical journals. </p>
<p>I emphasise with your situation because my late mother was from the Caribbean side of Colombia. Even if you have to work things on a jitney, go to the biggest library you can find and start researching things.</p>
<p>You might find people at more humble schools who are in love with your main academic area. Heck, you might even find whole Universities which have psych programs dedicated to your entire area. You just need to be patient and act like a detective:)</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Although my masters thesis focused on reading disabilities, I don’t want to give the impression that that’s all I’m interested in. It just happened to be the focus of my thesis. I do have a specialization in Psychopathology, but since the cognition and perception subarea in psychology has always been of interest to me and I have a research background in it, I wanted to find a good program. I don’t mind expanding the scope of my future studies to other aspects of cognition. I guess I am just trying to figure out my chances of getting into a good school, and am worried that my GRE scores may pull down those chances.</p>
<p>You will probably need to try and improve those GRE scores. You may also want to look away from the east and west coast schools where most students apply. There are many Ph.D. psychology programs in the middle of the country where admission is not as competitive and yet still provide excellent education and training. Take a look at mid size state universities in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana to start with. Most of these schools will provide tuition waivers and living stipends for 4 years of graduate study. They are big enough that you would not necessarily need a car to survive there.</p>
<p>Really appreciate your input Mol10e. U sound like someone who’s been through this process before. I looked at a couple schools in Illinois (Northwestern, Univ of Chicago, Univ of Illinois). I’ve heard that retaking the GRE general test often times results in lower or similar scores. Having not been exposed to standardised testing in my home country the GRE required an approach that I wasn’t used to. Do you think taking the GRE subject test in psychology would be a plus and is there anything else I should work on? I guess my Cornell dream is crushed for now huh?</p>
<p>Good advice. I do have Barron’s 13th edition. I wonder if I need to update my GRE prep books from 2003? I also have the Kaplan and Prineton Review General test books from that year along with the 2002 Princeton Review GRE Psych test book.
Any other advice or suggestions regarding my previous posts are still most welcome.</p>