[nabs-l] Would love some help or advice from any blind graduatestudents

[Joe Orozco]

Natalie,

I took the GRE in 2007 and can give you some advice.  The accommodations
process was a little taxing but not totally frustrating.  In the way of
accommodations, I got Braille exam, reader/scribe, Perkins Braille writer
and the use of my laptop for the writing section.  I wrote the essays onto a
thumb drive which the Procter then connected to a lab computer and printed.
I had no real difficulties in obtaining these accommodations, and after my
accommodations were approved, I was provided a two-volume test prep in
Braille which I used to get ready.  I read a few discussion forums to learn
more about the nature of the exam, but if I had to break it down into a few
simple tips, they would be these:

1. Start more than 6 months in advance to request your accommodations, just
to ensure everything is set and ready to go on test day.  I think I had to
get some things provided by my doctor and so forth.  Allow for response
time.

2. Prepare for all the sections equally.  Do not presume that because you're
better at verbal than math that you should spend more time on math.  I speak
from experience.

3. From all the materials you get your hands on, develop a study guide that
succinctly jogs your memory in the couple weeks before the exam.  The GRE is
not something you can study for in the sense of memorization, but there are
strategies you can use to loosen your mind to take on the test.

Good luck on the test,

Joe

"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing 

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org 
[mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nat Barrett
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2010 5:50 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] Would love some help or advice from any blind 
graduatestudents


Hello Nabs list,

My name is Natalie and I only joined the mailing list a day or 
so ago. I'm really hoping to get some help. Someone recommended 
I try this mailing list, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

First off, I'm a totally blind person, and while I'm not a 
student now, I was a student up until this past May. Since 
graduating I've debated with myself on whether to continue on 
with a masters degree. I really would love to, but I've come 
across a few roadblocks.

My first roadblock is taking the GRE. I really would like to 
talk with anyone offlist if they're blind and have taken the 
GRE. Or done whatever needs to be done to get into the graduate 
program at their respective schools. I really would like to 
know how they studied, what kinds of accomodations they got for 
it and so on.

I have more questions, but I don't want to clutter this e-mail. 
I'm interested in talking to anyone who can help me. Even if 
they're not a graduate student now. Anyone with any kind of 
tips, advice, or suggestions will be appreciated.

Thank you,
Natalie
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