Bad AW score

[LineOfFlight]

Hi,

I received my GRE score report today. I really messed up on the Analytical Writing part and got a score of 3.5. My Verbal score is 166 and my Quant score is 154. Does the good score for Verbal balance out the AW score? Is it worth it to retake the GRE if I'm trying to get accepted to a PhD in English / Comparative Literature, or should I not worry about it and focus on the writing sample and SoP?
Some additional information: I'm an international student and English isn't my native language. I have a 3.73 undergrad GPA and a 4.0 GPA for my MA.

[kb88]

Depends on the program, but you should be fine. AW is the least important because they can see your writing in the writing sample and SOP. Your verbal and Quant scores are both excellent for English PhD applicants. If I were you, I would apply to many top 20 programs.

[Warelin]

I'd apply to schools that you think are the best fit. General ranking does not mean that a school is a good match for you.

[kef5]

I was similarly stressed out about my 4 AW score (and much lower Quant score), but I just started my first semester at Berkeley, so it can work out. Fit and the strength of your application as a whole are the important things. Good luck!