Applemiu

I applied social as well, but I haven't heard anything yet.

I understand your point of view, but it is not applicable to all programs. In programs where research fit counts, hard work is important of course but there is also a lot of luck involved.

How bad? It's not bad, just a simple typo.

It could imply both things actually. Official rejection notices will be sent out only in February. Those who already got a rejection via email received it personally from the POI. The process seems to be still ongoing though so probably they are still considering applicants. You could wait a week or two and if you don't hear by then contact the graduate office asking if all invites have been sent out. Hope this helps!

I sent you a PM.

I would retake. I learned, in my own undergrad experience, that is better to go slower rather than faster. Yes.

It is not a problem I think, just a few days late. The 11th ofJanuary is still OK, go with that LOR if it is better.

I would suggest to retake the GRE (I am an international student myself). Your quant and verbal score are awesome, so I think it is worth it to retake, get a better AWA, and make your GRE score a true asset to your application. While it is true that you are applying to a scientific program, there are two issues that concern me. The first one is that the low AWA will distract from your other scores. The second one is that, if admitted, you will need not only to write papers, but also to work as TA and therefore to grade other students' papers (the vast majority of them American). If you were applying to a math program then a 3.0 would not matter, but in neuroscience there still is a lot of writing. So why taking the risk? Get a book on how to write a "five paragraph essay". I wrote a very simple essay and I got a 4.0 (not a great score itself). Good luck!

I think that result seems unusual. Check this:

Yes, better to apply to 7/8 schools at least if possible.

Don't worry, nobody cares about that stuff. They are all pros. You can take classes wherever you want and apply wherever you want. Just don't say that a program is your first choice if it is not true.

I applied to Phd programs in Psychology, and all the application programs allow to send reminders to the recommenders after the deadline - a few, if not all, allow to change a recommender if needed. Why don't you ask someone in the administration?

Good luck!

Once I was chatting with a MBA student at my school (one of the top 10). The student told me: "I've never done business before."

Nobody can give you such specific advice on such a short notice. Your stats are fine, the only problem is the low verbal GRE. You should try to find out whether those universities have a GRE cutoff or not.

Cool! I have heard of people admitted to non-quantitative programs with very low quant scores –– of course this does not mean that you will be admitted. I think you might stand a chance, but you need to check with people in the field of archaeology. I would also apply to a couple of lower ranked programs if possible (and if you want to do that).

May I ask you, what is your field?

Yes, of course you do. In the end it all depends on how all these things you are planning to do will work out (actual GRE scores, letters etc.). I also agree with the other posters, those are all good points. You need to find out whether a three years degree is accepted at those universities, and whether you like research. Good luck!

I think that "fit is in the eye of the POI"! What you have described is a very close fit, but it all depends on the POI, on what he/she wants to study next. Some POIs want to go on studying a very narrow topic, while others may want to expand it, or get started on a new project. I think that we can just give it our best shot and see what happens. Fit is also a matter of personality and research/mentoring style. That's why is wise to apply to a number of schools.

There is no way to know that... you need to contact the schools. If they haven't told you anything though, maybe they consider them valid. I would not assume that the schools consider the scores not valid.

No, it does not. To do very well on the quant part of the GRE would be excellent! To study, I recommend the ETS GRE book together with the Magoosh website for practice. Manhattan is also good but I would use it for "extra" study if necessary. Honestly I am not sure about retaking. See what other posters say. You could do that. Taking a different stats class would be a good idea but you should be careful to do well in that. As an alternative, how about taking calculus I (or linear algebra)? I think that would show that you working hard to build a more solid quantitative background. I would not mention that. Yes, but I would also try to do something to show explicitly (rather than implicitly) that you are addressing the problem. Good luck! I am sure you will be fine.

Retake if possible and try to get 160Q at least.

I have reread the original post and I think that, while the language is sometimes over the top, the OP has a point. The university should have warned beforehand that admission rates for international students are very low and that in some years, due to funding issues, international students are not admitted at all. Some graduate programs or fellowships do exactly that. I am an international student myself and after reading a similar statement on a fellowships website, I decided not to apply. As an international student, I appreciate the OP's warning, and now I appreciate even more those universities that warn the students in advance (I use to be slightly upset/disappointed).

Don't worry so much. I did NOT ask for STRONG letters myself. Don't do it, it would not make any difference. Let it go. I am sure there is no "slightly negative comment". Worse case scenario, the letter is not super over-the-top enthusiastic, as "this is the best students I ever had" or "if you don't take her, I'll take her". That's it. These people are pros. I am sure they did not write anything negative.

Don't worry, letters can be a little bit late (a few days/one week/ even a little bit more), the important thing is that you submit the application on time. See other threads on TGC.