Search the Community

Hi All. I am applying for both Social Psych (4) and OB programs (11). I believe that I am a strong candidate but the GRE has been my biggest stressor. I just took it this morning and my scores were absolutely devastating. I have been studying for ~3 months and my finals scores were worse than the scores from my first practice test 2 months ago. Test Scores (GMAT/GRE): Verbal (73rd) Quant (42nd) Undegrad GPA: 3.87 from a large state school, Psychology major Graduate GPA: N/A Research Experiences: I worked as an RA in two neuroscience labs for 2 years. I was a McNair Scholar where I conducted a thesis research project that is much in line with my interests. I have been a lab manager at a top 20 US b school for the last year where I have worked closely will OB researchers and researchers in CB and Accounting. Teaching Experience: N/A Work Experience: Nothing relevant other than my current research position. I took two years off during undergrad and worked in retail full time. Concentration Applying to:OB/Social Psych Number of programs planned to apply to: 15 Dream Schools: Columbia, UCLA, Northwestern Other Questions: What made you want to pursue a PhD? I want to pursue a PhD because I really really enjoy research and believe it is extremely powerful. I am a first gen student, the first in my family to even graduate high school, so having the opportunity to pursue a PhD is something I never even thought was possible. Interests aside, it would be life changing for myself and my family. Questions or concerns you have about your profile? I am freaking out about the GRE. My goal was to score 160 (70thQ, 86thV) but after taking the exam I am truly beginning to wonder how I am going to bring up my score roughly 15 total points in about 6 weeks time. My first applications are due November 26th so the latest I would feel comfortable taking it again would be the end of October. I have been told by people whose opinions I trust that 160 on both sections should get me past the first cut. Does anyone have any further thoughts on this? Also--Any words of advice on bringing my score up. I cannot afford a tutor, I could barely afford to take the test once and am seriously considering trying to take out a loan to get my scores up somehow. Any additional specific questions you may have:

Hi Urch! I'm very excited to apply to programs this Fall and am interested in any feedback you have on my profile. Test Scores - GRE: 167 Q, 162 V awa 4.0 Undergrad GPA: 3.72 in labor economics Graduate GPA: N/A Research Experience: Worked as a Research Assistant for a business school professor for 2 years during undergrad; completed undergraduate honors thesis Teaching Experience: none Work Experience: 5 years total: 2 as a technical program manager and 3 as a research & analytics manager for an org design company Concentration Applying to: Management, Organizational Behavior Number of programs planned to apply to: 5-10 Dream Schools: Booth, Kellogg, WashU Olin, Wharton, Michigan Other Questions: What made you want to pursue a PhD? I'm interested in how organizations meet their strategic objectives when they require significant collaboration outside of traditional "org chart" boundaries. I believe there is a gap in existing research in this area - specifically, in how technical and non-technical teams collaborate to deliver complex integrated software solutions (for anyone in tech - think Scrum, Scaled Agile Framework, Kanban, etc). I'm passionate about my research questions, and would like to dedicate my career to exploring them (and teaching others what I learn). Questions or concerns you have about your profile I realize my analytical writing score is low. Do you think it is worth re-taking the test to improve it? For recommenders, I'm planning to use two professors for whom I worked as an RA in college. For the third, I am considering using my former boss who supervised me in a research & analytics role. Do you think I'd be better off going with a former Professor? Many thanks for any advice or feedback you have!

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top 30 School in Econ in the U.S. Undergrad GPA: 3.94 GRE: 156V, 164Q, 4.5AW TOEFL: 112/120 Math Courses: Calculus I-III (A+,A+,B+); Linear Algebra (A); Differential Equation (A); Elementary Stats (A+); Mathematical Statistics and Probability (B+) ; Real Analysis (A) Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro, Macro (A+), Other electives (A) Letters of Recommendation: Two of them are from development economists. One of them I worked as an RA for the last year. One of them, I worked as an RA over the summer in 2017 and she also advised on my empirical research paper. One of them is from a lecturer of my intermediate micro class. Research Experience: A empirical research paper in development with one of my recommenders. I also worked as an RA for two faculty members for the last year. Research Interests: Development Economics Concerns: GRE Applying to: Schools in the range of top 10 to top 50. I am applying to almost 20 schools. Thank you very much.

Test Scores (GRE): (167Q) ,(154V), (4.5AW) Undegrad GPA: 4.0/4.0 Major: Finance, From a big state university in a US Southern State. However, before transferring here, I was doing Bsc Honors Economics at a prestigious business school in south Asia. Awards: Multiple awards and academic Scholarships, in Finance and Business Graduate GPA: N/A Research Experience: 1)Awarded Research Grant, Worked on an independent project under the mentorship of a professor, The research involved Econometrical Analytic study on market risk 2) Also co-authoring a paper based on stochastic study of portfolio volatility, with another professor in Finance 3) Worked on a research policy paper, for the Gov of a South Asian country, using Econometrical analysis to evaluate a fiscal policy. Teaching Experience: Currently teaching Business Statistics as supplemental instructor Work Experience: Part Time: Worked as a mentor and financial planner for a year while going to school. Additional Info: Passed my CFA Level 1 recently, LORs: 3 Strong LORs from the professors in US, with whom I am doing my research with, as well as for whom I am teaching Business Statistics as a Supplemental Instructor. Concentration Applying to: Finance Number of programs planned to apply to: 15 US Schools: 10 (Rank: 15-50), 5 (Rank: 50-70) Dream Schools: Top 15-35, with major faculty research interests in empirical asset pricing, and corporate finance.