Finished GRE today and got a low verbal score - chances of UPenn MCIT?

[drhectapus]

I just completed my GRE and got 157V/170Q.

Super happy about the Quant, but disappointed by the verbal, especially since in practice tests I was getting above 160.

The UPenn admissions website states that the average for MCIT was 160V/166Q last year. How much will a lower than average verbal score hurt my chances here?

Some other relevant profile info:

Age: 30 this year

International student

Undergrad: Medicine at Imperial College

2:1 Bachelor's of Science

Work experience: Worked for 4 years post-grad as a doctor in the UK. 1 year at a health supplement startup. No work experience in programming-related jobs. Have been self-learning coding for the past year.

Legacy: Sister currently undergrad at Wharton (does this help in any way?)

Please give me your most frank opinions

[Luptior]

Your GRE is definitely enough for MCIT program.

[there_is_a_so_long_wait]

your score is excellent! don't trip

[drhectapus]

Very reassuring, thanks guys. I guess there's only one way to find out anyways

[asdfman12]

I just took the GREs two days ago (Feb 27) and scored the same Verbal and one less point on Quant (157V/169Q). I'm also applying to the MCIT program and was worried as well, but I think that the Verbal scores are a bit inflated--at least compared to the MCIS/MSE statistics--because of the number of non-STEM majors admitted. The average for the MCIS/MSE last year was 158V/167Q, so our scores should fall right in line for what the admissions board is seeking for a computer science degree.

What really worries me is the decreasing acceptance rate year after year. I participated in the Penn Prospective Graduate Student Chat yesterday, and one thing that was mentioned by the host is that the acceptance rate last year was 17% for November applications and 8% for March applications. He also said that the number of applicants this year is significantly greater. Wish I had known about this program in the fall!

Just in case you're curious, my stats:

Degree: BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering at Drexel (right next to Penn). 3.8 GPA for both degrees

Work experience: Mostly aerospace internships. Currently working at Boeing by the Philadelphia Airport (~1 year 3 months total including 6 month internship)

Research: About 8 months full-time, with one measly 3rd author pub

 

[drhectapus]

On 3/1/2018 at 9:39 PM, asdfman12 said:

I just took the GREs two days ago (Feb 27) and scored the same Verbal and one less point on Quant (157V/169Q). I'm also applying to the MCIT program and was worried as well, but I think that the Verbal scores are a bit inflated--at least compared to the MCIS/MSE statistics--because of the number of non-STEM majors admitted. The average for the MCIS/MSE last year was 158V/167Q, so our scores should fall right in line for what the admissions board is seeking for a computer science degree.

What really worries me is the decreasing acceptance rate year after year. I participated in the Penn Prospective Graduate Student Chat yesterday, and one thing that was mentioned by the host is that the acceptance rate last year was 17% for November applications and 8% for March applications. He also said that the number of applicants this year is significantly greater. Wish I had known about this program in the fall!

Just in case you're curious, my stats:

Degree: BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering at Drexel (right next to Penn). 3.8 GPA for both degrees

Work experience: Mostly aerospace internships. Currently working at Boeing by the Philadelphia Airport (~1 year 3 months total including 6 month internship)

Research: About 8 months full-time, with one measly 3rd author pub

 

Good luck mate!

Do you know when we should hear from them?