Graduate School Req's

[dragonjournal]

So, I'm looking at Graduate school. I've pretty much decided on one of two, if I can get in: College of Charleston and University of South Carolina.

So, let's look at the requirements:

College of Charleston:

- Transcripts from both Miami and C-State
- Three letters of rec.
- Thirty pages of writing.
- GRE scores
- Statement of purpose 300-500 words

That's actually a lot. I understand GRE scores are necessary. Need to talk to someone about when I should take it.

University of South Carolina:

- Twenty to Thirty pages of prose
- Statement of purpose (1-2 pages single spaced)
- Two letters of rec
- GRE scores
- Transcripts

Things I need to work on over Christmas:

- GRE studying
- Letters of Rec
- Statement of purpose

I also need to look into my writing and see about writing something for the submission.

Everyone wants literary, but I don't do literary.

Anyone have any advice? I know there's a couple on here who have taken the GRE/gone to grad school.

Comments

[jehanne1431]

Is this for an MFA?

I've taken the GRE. When are you looking at applying? I'm trying to remember, but I think I took the GRE a few months before I applied, because it takes time to get the scores back. As I recall, I think GRE scores are good for a year, but don't quote me on that. It may be that the school determines your GRE timeline.

More importantly, I spent a long time (months) studying for it. I looked back on amazon and I purchased study materials in June 2006, and I started grad school in August 2008. I spent far more time studying the English portion than I did the Math or Writing (and my scores reflected that). Be prepared to memorize. A lot. I memorized over 600 vocabulary words and definitions, and boy, did I need them. There was only one word on the test that I hadn't encountered in my memorization. Had I not memorized the others, I don't think I would have scored very well.

The book I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0768907152

If you can find something similar and more recent (this one is 16 years old now), I'd highly recommend it. I made flash cards, and it was the act of making them that actually helped me retain the information, but everyone has their own way of studying.

I also got workbooks for algebra and geometry to help study for the Math section, and a book on logical fallacies for the Writing. It's also a very good idea to get the most up-to-date GRE study book, to get an idea of what the questions will be like. You can then decide what kind of study materials you'll need. But I cannot speak highly enough about getting a vocab book like the one I linked. Worth 10x its weight in gold.


How very exciting for you!! When do you want to start grad school?

[dragonjournal]

It is for an MFA!

I need to apply Fall 2019. So, studying now, I guess? I need my money first, though. Because I will be buying a book. Memorization is hard for me, but I have time, I guess.

So it looks like next Summer, I've got to take the GRE. Maybe I'll put it off? I don't know. I need to do this.

I'll get all the workbooks and stuff, because my math score's going to suck otherwise.

[jehanne1431]

I would guess that with an MFA the schools will be looking at the English score more than the Math. And, of course, the Writing score. Do they list a minimum GRE score requirement?

So you'll apply in 2019 for admission in 2020?

As far as I know, you can take the GRE more than once, and have the most recent scores sent to your schools (again, don't quote me on that), so if you're not happy with your score the first time, you can try again. It's been so long since I've taken it that I don't remember exactly all the rules... and, again, grad schools may have their own rules. But if you're applying in 2019, you have time to study, though I wouldn't put it off too long. It's an expensive test.

[kay_brooke]

I might not be the person to ask, because my advice is to run very fast in the opposite direction from grad school, because unless you are absolutely sure grad school is something you want to do and you know exactly what is it you want to do and what you plan to do with the degree, grad school is an expensive waste of time. You will go longer not making any money or building a career. You will have little time for family or hobbies or anything that's not reading and research for your topic for at least the next two years. Your degree will not guarantee a good job or any job. Coming from someone who was burned badly by grad school, be very, very sure this is something you want to do before you put in the effort.

(Keep in mind that I was in a PhD program in a science field, so that's my perspective.)

I took the GRE years ago, but it's my understanding that the scores are good for five years. It cost quite a bit of money: over $100 back in 2003, so unless that's changed keep that in mind. I took it in the spring and started applying to grad schools the following fall. I did zero studying for it except for glancing at a practice test the night before, and I took it on like two hours of sleep because I was so nervous. I did fine, at least good enough that I didn't feel like I needed to take it again. It depends on how good you are at memorization and test taking; I've always been good at that, so the GRE wasn't that big of a challenge once I was actually sitting there with it in front of me.

But no matter what my GRE scores said, I was a terrible grad student who hated everything about the experience, so that just goes to show how good standardized testing is at predicting any kind of success.