Mrs. Potter

My verbal score was 86%, hopefully enough to make it past that first round. Good point about AW writing though, I can understand why it wouldn't be weighed heavily or if at all.

I got my score report in the mail today and was very relieved to see that I got a 5.5 AW, after completely blowing the verbal section. I'm someone who PANICS during timed tests, and 30 minutes+4 sections of reading comprehension made me a complete mess, hence the 600. What are people's thoughts? Does the GRE verbal really matter for History programs? They all require lengthy writing samples, plus an SOP, and in any case how important is knowing the words "obsequious" and "parsimonious" for Historians? (my UG GPA was 3.65/3.76 (cum laude) in history from an Ivy University, I think my letters will be pretty strong, and my writing sample uses a lot of primary source, but I'm afraid the admissions committee will see my GRE score and not even bother looking at the rest of my application!) I have a HUGE fear of not getting in anywhere, even thought I am applying to 8 or 9 schools...anyway, just wanted to see what the consensus was regarding the GRE for History PhD programs- dealbreaker or mere formality?