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After emailing a few professors and Graduate Coordinators I was assured that there is nothing wrong with taking the test multiple times, that the admissions committee will look at the best individual scores from all of the scores submitted, and to not worry about the quantitative section (which as a humanities major I was already aware of but is still good to hear). I think that I will retake the exam and simply focus on the verbal section in my studies (to attempt to at least get a 600V, which I know I am capable of). Anyone else have any experiences with retaking the exam twice? misterpat: I found this quote from a previous post of yours (which I presume you were referring to): "But they aren't going to let you use the Quant from the first test and the Verbal from the second. Doesn't work that way." Where did you find this out? Did you specifically hear this from someone or are you speculating? I am asking because as you can tell that is exactly what I am hoping will happen and from the responses I received from a few professors and graduate coordinators I am correct in thinking that the highest individual scores are looked at.

I have been consistently scoring around or slightly above a 600V on all my practice tests, that is the main reason for which I am contemplating retaking it. The first time I took the test, I studied vocab very hard and memorized quite a few words (few hundred that is), roots, groups, etc. However, I basically panicked and let my nerves get the best of me. This second time, I tried to work on my mental preparedness as well as strategies and vocab again. Regarding not having enough time, I don't see that as an issue. I will be sending apps at the end of November meaning I can take the test again at the end of October. A month of focusing on verbal should be enough to at least crack 600. I am just going to email the schools I am interested in and see how they approach GRE scores. Thanks for the help.

Hey everyone, I took the GRE today for the second time (first one was on Aug 17th in which I scored horribly) and got a 510V and a 660Q. I am sure that my AWA score was around a 4.5 or even a 5 this time (I received a 4.5 the first time I took the test). Since I am applying to history phd programs I am aware that a 510 is not such a good score and that it will hold a lot more weight than my quant which is pretty good for a humanities major. My questions are: do schools usually look at all of your scores and pick out the highest ones, or do they look at the latest score? For example, if I took the test once more and scored above a 600V but less than 660Q would they look at my best V and my best Q out of all three tries? Does taking the GRE 3 times look bad on one's application? Since the schools I am applying to are not ivies I am contemplating on whether I should just apply with my current scores and see what happens instead of retaking. The schools I am looking at are: USC, UC-Davis, Boston College, U of Vermont, Kent State, Bowling Green State which are not top 10 by no means. In regards to LORs, SoP, fit, grades, research etc. my application is quite strong so a relatively low GRE would hopefully not kill my application. Hence my contemplation over retaking it (for the 3rd time). Any advice?

Thanks for trying to revive this board...it has been dead all summer. Regarding the topic.. I'm applying to Modern European PhD/MA programs this fall. My focus is the study of religion/atheism within the Third Reich. I'm applying to USC, BC, UC-Davis, UVM, UChicago, UIUC, UCLA, BGSU, Kent State and looking for a few more MA programs. I'm not too sure on the strength of my app (it's been the hardest part of the entire process of applying to grad school so far). I have a decent GPA (right around 3.5), languages (fluent in Hebrew and Russian, proficient in French, will have 2 years of German upon graduation), good LOR's, research with a grant (although unrelated to history), no publications, will use my future senior thesis as a writing sample and the SOP process (which I recently begun) is going fine. My main worry is that I am applying to programs out of my reach, which at times seems like simply a paranoid thought but otherwise seems a realistic concern.

I realized recently that during this entire process of deadlines, LORs, SoPs, GREs, etc. a very simple thing came up that I hadn't thought of. When should one apply? It sounds like a stupid question but most of the schools I am looking at have deadlines in December or January, and most don't have rolling admissions. When is a good time to apply, do many people apply as soon as possible (September)? Is it worth to continue working on the SoP and Writing Sample until about a month before the deadlines and then submit the applications? For those who have already gone through this process, has applying either very early, or very late affected your admissions?

Not to steal your thread but could anyone look at my language profile and let me know if I should be worried. I am applying to hist programs with a focus on modern European (German) history, as far as language training: At the time of applying I will have: 1 semester of German completed and will be taking the second semester during this time (so I will have technically a full year of German on my transcript) Fluency in Russian 6 years of French (although I haven't taken in it a few years I am still proficient in reading) Fluency in Hebrew I am worried that due to my limited German training I may not make it past the "first round" of cuts. I am applying to a multitude of schools, some ranked in the top 30, some around the 50's and a few in the top 100 (I hope that at least for the ones outside the top 50 I will not be cut due to my language training). Should I address the fact that upon graduation I will have 1.5 or 2 full years of German and will do another course over the summer? It seems that basing my language training on an application that is sent out during the Fall when I will clearly have another 1 or 2 semesters of the language is a bit ridiculous.

I'm in the same process. Working on a proposal for my senior thesis (which will become my writing sample), studying for the GRE (taking it in August), contacting professors, looking over specifics of all programs I will be applying to. Still looking for more MA programs since, like you, I consider myself not a very qualified applicant. I'm applying for Modern European history with a focus on German (Third Reich) and an emphasis on the role of religion in it.

Instead of starting a new post, I thought I'd just update this one with my new "question". I'm closing in on a complete list of schools (for both PhD and MA) that I will be applying to in the Fall, and would like any insight/criticism/advice regarding what my potential chances are, and if I should add "lower ranked" schools (which fit me of course) to my list. I've contacted professors at all of the below schools and was told that my interests would fit (at some, I was told they would be a tremendous fit): Boston College (for a PhD) UC-Davis (for a PhD) USC (for a PhD) UNC-CH (for a PhD) UVM (Vermont) (for an MA) Kent State University (not sure about this one yet, for an MA) UIUC (for a PhD) U of Chicago (for a PhD) UCLA (for a PhD) U of Oregon (for a PhD) As you can see, I need to find a few more MA programs in case I am not able to gain admission to a PhD programs. However, realistically (with the stats I provided above), what are my chances of being admitted to some of these programs? I find it tremendously difficult to be able to identify which schools to apply to due to rankings, tiers, etc. I understand that fit is much more important than many credentials, but after all, I do not want to be wasting my time applying to programs which are simply out of reach for me. With that said (sorry for the paranoia again), any insight into my situation? Is the list above a reasonable one, should I look for more "safeties"? Thanks again.

^ My ultimate goal is to work in academia as a history professor. Thanks for the advice everyone. I've researched some more schools and came up with a list of about 11. As far as my GPA, I had a pretty bad first semester in college (3.1) which has crippled my GPA ever since. Any advice regarding which MA programs might be worth looking at? If I end up going for an MA (not being accepted to any PhD programs) I don't want to have to pay 30K in tuition and insanely high living costs in a big city. Any schools that offer good funding for MA?

I'm currently a history major at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, it's a large school (>25,000) with a decent reputation but nothing like UW-Madison or Marquette. I'm a junior majoring in history and minoring in the comparative study of religion. I've done plenty of research on both MA and PhD programs in history but would like some opinions/advice. My "stats" (so far): 3.5 overall gpa 3.7 major gpa internships (will do an internship at the public museum this summer), worked with archives at a historical society fluent in Hebrew, Russian, almost fluent in French, taking German Working on a research project with a professor right now (will most likely do some more research over the summer and in Fall) Will be doing a senior thesis starting next Fall somewhat good relationships/networking with professors who have some influence on the colleges I will be applying to My focus/interest is modern European/German history mainly focusing on the Nazi period, developing a focus/interest in the influence/role of religion in the Third Reich and Germany at the time (I recently researched and wrote a fairly substantial research paper on the topic). Here are the schools I am considering: Boston University Boston College UMass Amherst UC-Davis UCSB U of Oregon Michigan State University Georgetown I was told by a few professors to apply mainly to PhD programs but with fear that I won't get in to any, I will also apply to a few MA programs. The list above is obviously not final and I will include a few more schools before I begin the application process next semester. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the schools I mentioned, any advice? What are my chances of getting into any of these programs? Am I not being realistic with my choices, should I apply to other, less renowned schools? I'd appreciate any advice.