GRE scores for PhD

[apex45]

I'm going to apply to PhD programs during the next application cycle. The GRE scores I used for my MPH applications will still be valid-- 98%V 59%Q 98%AWA

I am planning to apply to mostly community health and social/behavioral programs. I will have excellent grades from my MPH and a few publications.  I will have 2 semesters of biostat, 1 of epi methods using SAS, and plan to be a TA for a biostat class next semester. My undergrad was a long time ago but my GPA was fine. Do you think I need to retake my GRE in hopes of a higher quant score, or would that be a waste of time and money? 

I'm aiming for programs like Yale, Michigan, and Columbia but haven't made my final list yet. 

TIA for any advice!

Edited February 19, 2018 by apex45

[gallimimus]

If you think you could raise your quant score significantly, it could be worth it, but based on what I've experienced and heard, I think GPA/LORs/personal statements are the more important component.

[DrPHtobe]

From when I was looking at applying - most places seem to have "min of 50%, ideally 70%" for quant GRE - but didn't have cutoffs and claimed they looked at applications holistically. For instance hopkins says all grad students average 70%, lower for MS, higher for PhD. I agree with the previous poster - if you have the time and money (and think you can improve) then I would take the GRE again. If you don't/can't improve (or the verbal was a fluke ;)), then ace the stats/maths courses you're doing, so you have some recent evidence of capability. I don't think it'd be a waste to take the GRE again, but your score is certainly sufficient to try applying without improving it (as long as the rest of your application is good). And of course, apply to a broad range of schools if you can, to give yourself the best chance to get in somewhere.

[apex45]

Thanks a lot for the advice everyone.

I have some time (not a lot) to study and only need to raise my score 3-4 points to break 70%, so I think I will try to retake in the summer and see what happens. I remember being disappointed with my quant score and expecting better of myself, so maybe raising it isn't outside the realm of possibility. Hopefully my verbal score won't go down... I've always been much stronger in verbal than quant but I wasn't expecting to score that high! 

[emjayco]

I agree with the other posters. Ideally your other scores would not go down, but if you have the time and money, getting your quantitative score up will be helpful. If it does not  improve, you could always use Score Select and choose which scores get sent to the schools. Or if you send all the scores they'll see the history of higher scores. I think the importance depends on the school. They really do look at the application all around (faculty fit, letters, statement of purpose, etc. are very important), but I know in terms of funding, fellowships, or RA positions, there may be more concrete score cut offs for eligibility.  When applying for grants some schools like to cite their average RA's GRE percentiles to improve changes of funding.