Has any one on the forum taken the GRE?

[SapphireDreams 71]

I bought a book with all intentions of taking the test and applying to grad school in NYC. As soon as I started reading the book, I realized that I was not made for standardized tests and decided to get a Graduate Certificate instead.

Sapphire,

What is the difference between the MA and the Graduate certificate? I'm really interested to know.

I'm not sure if this is the exact definition, but I did a graduate certificate at Humber College in public relations and it was more of a hands-on, practical, need-to-know to work in PR. It was very specialized and there was no theory. We actually did a lot of projects and work that resembled what we would do in the workplace. I know NYU has a similar program (learned about it later). When I first started, I was under the impression that it was a Canadian thing, but a friend in North Carolina said that she'd heard of graduate certificates and they were available at her school in North Carolina. I know Humber has a bunch of different programs for different fields... business ones, law and public administration, arts administration, human resources...

Might be worth seeing if any schools in your area have similar programs if there is a specific field you are interested in. If you are looking for more of a generic English program, then this won't work.

Funny enough, we had a couple people who actually had their Master's in english that still couldn't find a job and then went and did the graduate certificate program.

[zyggy 9]

Well one of the girls I work with that is in the program said she walked into the English department to ask about the GRE and the ideal scores they were looking for. With English majors, the last time we took a math course was a pretty long time ago. They said they didn't even look at the math and were not concerned about it. Just the vocabulary, concept and analytical writing skills. I've looked at a few practice tests. But I will buy a book if you think it is worth it. Even though I have an English language/literature degree, I still need to study the vocab. I have heard that it can be quite difficult.

On the GRE test prep book, I don't know if I would buy it. Start by borrowing some from the library and keep renewing it.

On the graduate certificate, my only concern is it may not be as recognized by employers (and definitely not in the academic world). Some employers may find value in it, some may not and wonder why you didn't get the MA. At least with the MA, you know most everyone will understand what they are getting.

Edited October 28, 2008 by zyggy

[thetreble 19]

Well I think eventually I want to become a professor in English so I would have to get the MA regardless. I was just really interested in knowing what the certificate was because I have heard of it before.

I guess I could borrow it from the library here at MSU. That is a good idea.

[zyggy 9]

Well I think eventually I want to become a professor in English so I would have to get the MA regardless. I was just really interested in knowing what the certificate was because I have heard of it before.

I guess I could borrow it from the library here at MSU. That is a good idea.

Yeah.. What can I say, I'm cheap Right now, that's not a bad thing...

[SapphireDreams 71]

Yes, in the academic world a graduate certificate probably won't cut it.... but it is an interesting avenue if it fits the profession.

In the PR world, the graduate certificate is pretty much the way to go.. maybe not so much in the US, but its becoming more and more popular. I wouldn't be surprised if when I move to NYC there will be people working at places I apply to from my exact program in Toronto as it is very popular. There will also be a lot of people who don't know it though, so I'm preparing to have to explain what it is.

Good luck with the Master's

[ruby_mtl 0]

First, excuse my ignorance, but what is a GRE?

Second, I was also thinking of getting a MA once I move, but then I thought...with 2 young kids and work???? I don't know...lol So I started thinking about getting a MA online. What do you guys think about online degrees? is it worth it? I think it might be easier to find a good job if I have a degree from a US university, but I won't be able to sit in class......

[SapphireDreams 71]

^^ What University do you have a degree from? I don't think that Canadian universities are much different from US ones to be honest. Especially if its one of the bigger Canadian schools. I would argue that our education is pretty comparable. There are so many Canadians working in the US from Canadian schools, so I wouldn't worry about. I even went to a smaller school and still think it's fine. It's not much different from a small liberal arts college in the US.

That's just my opinion anyways.

Sorry I totally went off topic!

Edited October 28, 2008 by SapphireDreams

[ruby_mtl 0]

^^ What University do you have a degree from? I don't think that Canadian universities are much different from US ones to be honest. Especially if its one of the bigger Canadian schools. I would argue that our education is pretty comparable. There are so many Canadians working in the US from Canadian schools, so I wouldn't worry about. I even went to a smaller school and still think it's fine. It's not much different from a small liberal arts college in the US.

That's just my opinion anyways.

Sorry I totally went off topic!

my degree is from McGill, but my concern is because I have a BSW (social work) and in NY state, where I'll be moving too, they mostly ask for MA to work as social workers. I just want to have all the opportunities I have just like I had here.

It is off topic, but relevant at the same time since it's part of us moving...the paperwork is one thing, and the everyday is another!

[thetreble 19]

Mostly likely to be a social worker you are going to need an MA. I could be wrong, but it appears more and more they are looking for MA's when it comes to social workers.

In comparison to the education I got and what my husband got, I feel like I was worked much harder and therefore received superior education. Can't be said for all I am sure, but I do feel this is the case for me.

The GRE is the graduate exam. Many colleges and universities require it in order to apply for an MA program.

[ruby_mtl 0]

Mostly likely to be a social worker you are going to need an MA. I could be wrong, but it appears more and more they are looking for MA's when it comes to social workers.

In comparison to the education I got and what my husband got, I feel like I was worked much harder and therefore received superior education. Can't be said for all I am sure, but I do feel this is the case for me.

The GRE is the graduate exam. Many colleges and universities require it in order to apply for an MA program.

thanks for your input!!

[MrsCat 6]

I can't offer you much advice but my bro did his GRE for entry into his Masters program (in Canada). That was about 5 years ago. He was always a natural test taker, so he didn't bother with any of the practice exams or anything initially. Because it was general he figured he'd be okay with most of the stuff. However a few weeks before he sat down with one of his fav profs and he recommended that Chris review some math stuff. Chris did and did fairly well on his GRE. I have no idea what a good score is. He did come home and say he found the exam draining and very very long.

When reviewing for applicants time came around, I believe they based 50% on the GRE score and 50% on grades and quality of his application. So I guess you can say it was important.

I on the other hand took the LSAT. It was a horrible LONG exam and my brain was mush for weeks after. I was 4 solid hours of head down - but up filling in little circles.

I bought a few LSAT prep books - but I didn't take the LSAT prep courses. In retrospect, I wish I would have taken one of those because my classmates found it exceptionally useful. For entry into law school, they didn't look at my LSAT score at all, and it was based on grades alone. The LSAT score was just "informational" according to the selection committee. I have no idea what that means.

Personally, if you have an area program you're looking at I'd start with a prof there and see what they have to say about entry requirements and how much effort to put into the GRE. If they say it matters and its something they look at, then I'd practice. Time is the real killer with those kinds of exams - you just don't have enough time to really get a confident answer. Then I would look for some GRE prep courses that are being offered and take out a few books.

Not sure if you were looking for something more specific. Probably were.

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

I just took the GRE 3 months ago and found it rather difficult. I'd recommend getting the newest Study Guide. I used the one put out by the Princeton Review since everyone told me it was the best. Different schools expect different scores but you'll want to make at least 1000. The test is computer adaptive and time based so you don't really get enough time to read the questions and answer. The first 10 questions count more than the last 10 in each section so you want to focus on accuracy early on in each test section and then worry about selecting b or c when you start running out of time towards the end. You get your basic score automatically at the end of the test but you will have to wait to receive your essay test scores as they are graded at a later time. Your GRE Score is just one aspect schools look at. They will also take into account your Undergrad GPA, any study abroad experiences, other languages you know and/or membership in various organizations, etc.

Link to GRE Information...

[thetreble 19]

I just took the GRE 3 months ago and found it rather difficult. I'd recommend getting the newest Study Guide. I used the one put out by the Princeton Review since everyone told me it was the best. Different schools expect different scores but you'll want to make at least 1000. The test is computer adaptive and time based so you don't really get enough time to read the questions and answer. The first 10 questions count more than the last 10 in each section so you want to focus on accuracy early on in each test section and then worry about selecting b or c when you start running out of time towards the end. You get your basic score automatically at the end of the test but you will have to wait to receive your essay test scores as they are graded at a later time. Your GRE Score is just one aspect schools look at. They will also take into account your Undergrad GPA, any study abroad experiences, other languages you know and/or membership in various organizations, etc.

Link to GRE Information...

Thanks for the information. However, as I have mentioned I have a girl in my office who is in the same program I want to get into. She took the GRE last year and was told by the department that her math scores did not count. They want a 500 on analytical, verbal, etc. So that is what I will focus on. I plan on studying for awhile before I take the test.

I have good undergraduate results and some community involvement so I'm not worried about that. A lot of grad programs just want to know your interests in the field and if you are intelligent enough to handle the material.

[ChloroPhil 0]

Thetreble,

I'm not sure if you need it anymore, but I took the GRE two and a half years ago and would *highly* recommend finding a copy of the practice test CD/DVD for your computer. Studying from the book is helpful for learning the vocabulary and re-familiarizing yourself with grammar etc but it can't come close to the practical experience of taking the practice tests. I've been taking standardized tests since 2nd grade (1984?) and have *always* done better on verbal than mathematics. The GRE was the first time I had a higher math score than verbal and I attribute that to doing those practice tests over and over and over again until I was so comfortable with the format that I could spend all my brainpower on analysis of the question.

Like the uni said, don't worry too much about the scores. The real purpose behind the GRE is to assess your analytical ability. As long as you show a basic level of analytical ability you're set. Your past academic performance and activities between then and now count for a lot more.

Best of luck with your studies! I hope you've found a niche that you're passionate about. Nothing's worse than doing graduate studies in a topic you're not interested in or only moderately motivated by. Speaking of, what are you looking at focusing on?

Regards,

Phil

[purem4g1c 113]

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