Preparing to take the GRE

(and getting into graduate school) Jeff Stocco, Center for Servant Leadership

Career Development – how can we help?   Advice on essay/candidate statement   Information on programs   Help sorting out your options   Grad school – now or later?

How do you get help?   Appointment with Jeff Stocco, Director, x7272

General Test or Subject Test?

  General Test is required for most graduate programs

  Subject Test may be required for some programs (exams are offered in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, literature in English, mathematics, physics, psychology)

Registration for General Test

  The GRE® revised General Test is available at about 700 test centers in more than 160 countries. It is offered as a computer-based test year round at most locations around the world and as a paper-based test up to three times a year in areas where computer-based testing is not available.

  http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about

Registration for Subject Test

  Web or by mail –  Online http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/ –  The GRE® Subject Tests are offered at

paper-based test centers (PDF) worldwide. You can register for a Subject Test online or by mail. Register early to receive your free test preparation materials in time to prepare for the test.

General Test: How do you prepare?  Take it “cold” (NOT recommended!)  Take a prep course (like Kaplan or

Princeton Review)  Develop your own method

– PowerPrep Software (www.gre.org/pracmats.html) or borrow from the Career Center)

– Test prep books

How do you improve your score?

 Learn techniques (Princeton Review)  Practice on a computer for familiarity  Learn vocabulary and word roots  Review and master math facts  Practice, practice, practice!

CAT tips

  Answer every question   Don’t obsess over time-consuming questions   Use the scratch paper provided to you   No points for speed, only accuracy   Practice on computer versions of the GRE

–  PowerPrep software has two complete tests

Geography of the GRE General Test   Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to

analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships among words and concepts.

  Quantitative Reasoning — Measures problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.

  Analytical Writing — Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively.

Applying to Grad School: What’s required?   Application form   Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement   Transcripts   Test scores (GRE, MAT, GMAT)

–  TOEFL?   Letters of Recommendation

–  Waiving your right to view your recs?

  Portfolio (if applicable)

Timeline for Applying   Spring semester of junior year

–  Talk with your advisor about your plans –  Focus on type of program and start gathering information

  Summer before senior year –  Draft personal statement –  Browse guides and web sites for programs

•  Peterson’s Guides to Grad Study (6 volumes, in the Career Center)   August – September

–  Meet with faculty –  Ask for letters of recommendation –  Register for required standardized tests

  October –  Take standardized tests –  Request application materials from your desired schools –  Chart timelines for desired schools –  Order transcripts

Timeline for Applying

  November –  Complete application forms (download, online, printed apps) –  Give your letter writers all the info they will need

  December / January –  Submit applications

  February –  Contact (and possibly visit) programs

  March / April –  Receive acceptances/rejections and offers of financial

assistance – make a decision!

Financing Graduate School

 Assistantships – Teaching – Research – Project or Program

 Fellowships  Scholarships  Loans