SunsetRodeo

Hello! I realize this may be too general of a question to post in this section, but I was wondering how most MPP/MPA admissions committees handle multiple GRE scores? Are they averaged, reviewed holistically, higher scores taken, etc.? Thanks so much for the feedback!

I appreciate your feedback! The problem if I reinstate the scores and then retake if lower is that it takes 2 weeks for the reinstatement process, so I won't know until the end of October. That gives me November to retake, and will that be enough time considering the essays, letters of rec, etc. I will have to prepare? Also, I'm afraid three sets of scores may look bad to admission committees. What are your thoughts?

Oh man, I am so incredibly disappointed with myself. I just don't know what to do. Two years ago, I took the GRE and received a 1230/5AW. Back then, I only applied to one program and got waitlisted so I decided to postpone grad admissions for another year or so. I knew my Verbal score was low, though, and decided to retake again this year. Fast forward, and I retook the GRE today, and it was much harder than anticipated - despite the many MANY practice tests I took! I decided to cancel the scores because I couldn't take the risk of getting less than a 700Q, and while I do think I got higher this time around, I'm not sure if I did by much. I know for a fact that I got more than 4-5 questions wrong on the quant, as well as a few questions wrong at the beginning of the Verbal (and I know those questions count the most). I did notice that there is an option to reinstate the scores within 60 days, so I can still find out what I got and have them added to my score report. But I'm just not sure I did much better. What should I do?? Should I take the risk and reinstate the scores or retake again in November?? Or should I stick with my 1230 - is it THAT horrible of a GRE score?? My GPA is around 3.7 at a top 20 university, 4 yrs solid work experience, solid LORs & I'll make sure to write a stellar essay. I'd like to apply to schools on par with NYU Wagner, UW Evans, CM Heinz, UCLA, USC, Humphrey, and CIPA. I would appreciate ANY AND ALL feedback, I am completely stressed out about this. Am I totally screwed if I keep my old GRE score? Ugh, the thought of retaking this AGAIN in another 3 weeks or so is just awful...