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

[Cindy Bennett]

I just took the GRE, and some great advice has been given, but what
hasn't been mentioned is that now blind students can use a voiced GRE.
It is awesome, and ETS will send you a practice test so you can become
familiar with the key strokes which honestly are not different from
typical screen readers, just a few test specific things. That way, you
can get your unofficial math and verbal scores right after the test so
no suspense in waiting!

Definitely email me at clb5590 at gmail.com. I have some great study
materials to pass along, and can give some tips. I am just now looking
at programs, so I can't tell you what grad school is like, but I can
tell you what I plan to do, and just some general grad school tips
that i have heard.

And NABS board, I think a grad school/GRE/other grad school entrance
exam conference call would be well attended just based on how many
emails i have seen on the list about it in the last year. Maybe
sometime sooner than later would be better since grad apps are
typically due in December, psychology ones that is; other programs
might be different.

Cindy

On 9/12/10, Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net> wrote:
> Natalie,
>
> Getting into grad school is a multi-step process that can (lets face
> it) be anoying and difficult for anyone regardless of disability. The
> trick is to stay on top of things once you get the process started and
> try to stay as organized as possible. So far as blindness goes, you'll
> need a list of skills in order to float this grad school boat.
>
> firstly, you'll want to consider the school you wish to attend. Most
> schools have decent web sites with reasonable amounts of info regarding
> their programs. You may find surfing these sites useful to get a sense
> of what you're doing. Also, make friends with people in the program
> you'd like to get into because a phone call or personal conversation
> can do a lot for you in terms of collecting information and getting noticed.
>
> Some university programs have electronic application forms whee you can
> apply for grad school online. Some don't. It just takes a bit of
> investigation on your part. If the application is online and
> accessible, I highly suggest you do it online. If not, you'll need a
> reader for a paper ap.
>
> As for the GRE, you can only apply on paper because your application
> will need to go specifically through the disability center. Your
> application has four parts: the general registration form, your
> disability information (the nature of your disability and your proposed
> acommodations), a statement from a service profesional varifying that
> you have a disability and that you use your proposed accommodations on
> a regular basis, and some sort of varification from a physician
> regarding your disability. The application fee is $130 and can be paid
> by either yourself or your rehab agency. If your rehab agency pays for
> it, you'll have an additional step in your process in order for them to
> both authorize the expenditure on their end and fill out their payment
> info for the ETS. Once your paper application is in, you play the
> waiting game for about four to six weeks in order for ETS (the
> Educational testing services) and their disability center to register
> you, find you a testing center, and agree to your proposed
> accommodations. Generally, you'll get the accommodations you want.
>
> In terms of blindness, there are several accommodations to choose from
> including a Braille test, a live reader, a live scribe, a recorded
> test, a print test, a print answer sheet, large print materials, a
> special workplace with additional lighting, a typing device such as a
> brailler or laptop or typewriter for essays, a slate and stylus, a
> computer test, and a number of ways you can mix and match these. You
> can also ask for extended time. To be honest with you, I took the
> extended time because I wanted my test in Braille, but I'm not the
> world's fastest reader. I also have test anxiety during standardized
> exams. The time I had still wasn't enough for everything, and there's
> no way in hell sighted people get all their test done in the 2 hours
> and 50 minutes alotted to them. Frankly, they need more time, too.
>
> In terms of communication and coordination between ETS and your grad
> school, make sure there's loads of time as things can get dicy in terms
> of getting your scores electronically from ETS to your grad school, the
> actual application, etc. Don't be surprised if you find yourself making
> tons of phone calls to either entity for any reason.
>
> You can get GRE practice materials in Braille if you want. that's what
> I did. When they get your paperwork, a representative from the GRE
> disability group wil contact you by phone or TTY just to touch bases
> and clarify anything needing clarification. You can also choose your
> test date at this time and request practice materials.
>
> Sorry for the rambling nature of this post, but I hope it helps.
>
> Respectfully,
> Jedi
>
> Original message:
>
>> 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
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/loneblindjedi%40samobile.net
>
> --
> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit
> www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/clb5590%40gmail.com
>