GPA/GRE bar for top data science program? should I retake?

[Louise Yi]

Hey guys, just interested to know should I retake GRE for top data science Master program like Stanford / Harvard/CMU..

I knew that sometimes a high GRE score (330+) might support the average GPA.. I'm currently getting verbal 158 & quant 166 with a GPA 3.76. (I've seen most of the people who got accepted to Stanford had 3.9+ GPA)

I had two years work experience in consulting analytics team & strong letters from workplace.

It seems that the data science program for this year is very competitive.

Should I retake GRE again for a higher chance to get into the top programs?

Edited November 4, 2018 by Louise Yi

[theduckster]

You can, but Stanford's deadline for Fall 2019 is rapidly approaching. Depending on your time constraints, it may be wiser focusing on applications instead of cramming for the GRE now (though studying for the Quant GRE is not all that hard).

Go for it if you think you can get a higher score, but note that if you go from a 166 to 168/169 this is unlikely to change your chances. Your former GPA and letters of recommendation are weighted much more heavily than GRE scores. Even a 170 will probably only be a small bump at best (unless your math grades are bad, but in that case you are going to have a rough time getting into top programs regardless).