Here is my story. I'm bad with standardized tests, the GRE is the first one I took in my life, and probably I was not preparing it the right way (3 week preparation, somewhat intense the last one). I took the GRE yesterday and a got 146V 156A, an unpleasant surprise considering I was doing about 4 points more in each section when practicing (which is still not stellar but again, I'm bad at this kind of examinations).
1) I don't really care about the English part since it is not my first language and I also have to do the TOEFL at some point. Actually adcoms don't care either I believe.
2) The programs (see below) I am applying to do not have cutoffs and value the entirety of the application package.
3) The rest of my application is very competitive. Bachelor degree in one of the best engineering schools in Europe (2nd best in BEE/BME), EPFL. Exchange year at Cornell University (GPA 3.8). Currently doing a Master's there and have a high GPA (somewhat translates to a 3.75 on the US scale, which is in the top 5% of my class). Strong recommendation from EPFL and Cornell faculty, including one from a very famous professor in the field I plan to do my PhD (did a research project with him). Good SOP (in the process of writing it). Currently in Cambridge MA doing research for a non-profit.
So here is my question: should I retake the GRE? Does it really matter? The truth is that I am not good at these tests and we all agree that they do not evaluate how good you will perform in grad school.
I personally know I will not score much higher than probably 160A/152V. I'm just bad at this kind of stuff, I was very slow at then exam.
Considering my background and academic/research skills I have been advised by my professors (EPFL and Cornell) to apply to schools like: BU, Duke, UCSD, Cornell, basically schools in the top 20. PhD program in BME.