Top Programs - GRE Medians/Ranges

[secondarydefinitions]

Usually, programs do not publish this information, and the top programs are no exception. What's a typical GRE median and GRE range (or 25th-75th percentile) for a top 5 M.A. program? I ask because despite a high GRE score, my academic record is poor. I am wondering if my application will be given serious consideration with a V169, Q164, AW6. I am interested in theory/philosophy, i.e. not a quant-based sub-field.  The remainder of the application (in my opinion) will be strong. 

Additionally - does a high AW score help?

 

Edited February 5, 2020 by secondarydefinitions

[sloth_girl]

Hey, we have the exact same GRE -- that's wild! I do CP and have only applied to PhD programs, so it's a little different process/background. But your scores are totally fine to get you into good programs. Also, MA programs tend to be a tad bit easier to get into generally. 

The AW is the area they probably care least about, but it's nice to have!

I'd say, have your LOR writers contextualize your "poor" academic record. They can usually alleviate concerns, especially if you have good reasons for this (e.g. switched from a major with lower average GPAs, had a family/health hardship, etc.). Also, many schools will have you calculate your upper-level or junior/senior GPA as well, so if you showed improvement over time, they'll mind less. 

[uncle_socks]

There are no really defined top 5 MA programs. Top 5 PhD programs are probably around 165/165/5 if I had to make a wild guess. 

Your GRE is good enough to get you through the first sift at any program, but GRE doesn't alone get you an admit. A "poor" academic record is subjective: 3.5 GPA? definitely fine and if your goal is a PhD eventually, you should just apply for PhD programs. A 1.5? probably not fine. 

Also no one cares about AWA. They'll read your writing sample and learn a lot more from that. 

[e2e4]

for an ma, gre is very lenient, much more lax than phd. so putting this in context, cusp of 80th percentile & + is a general rule of thumb for phd programs (save NYU and quant heavy programs, who may want 90th+). for theory phd admits, quant can dip all the way down to 150-155. if you target an ma that offers aid, gre may be a factor in determining aid, but matters much less than other components. sloth makes a great point. just write a good sop & communicate your concerns with letter writers. plus once you are in an ma, undergrad grades matter significantly less, if at all for many prog if you are considering using the ma as a stepping stone for phd. hope this assuages your concerns, as you really have nothing to worry about with those scores. and aw means nothing

[secondarydefinitions]

I appreciate the replies. I didn't make it clear that my concern was whether a top program would ignore my application, despite the high GRE score, because enough applicants with good academic records have similar GRE scores. Median and range data would shed light on this. I wasn't concerned the GRE score would be inadequate. But anyway, appears my application would be considered by top M.A. programs based on GRE scores, despite the subpar academic record. 

sloth_girl - nice. I am retaking in a couple weeks and expect a 338-340, however ?

Edited February 5, 2020 by secondarydefinitions

[uncle_socks]

Just curious, who are you considering "top MA programs" to be? 

[sloth_girl]

18 minutes ago, secondarydefinitions said:

sloth_girl - nice. I am retaking in a couple weeks and expect a 338-340, however ?

Good luck! FWIW, your mileage might vary on marginal increases to the GRE. I wouldn't focus all your energy/money/time on achieving a "perfect" score if that makes sense. 

[secondarydefinitions]

6 minutes ago, sloth_girl said:

Good luck! FWIW, your mileage might vary on marginal increases to the GRE. I wouldn't focus all your energy/money/time on achieving a "perfect" score if that makes sense. 

I definitely hear that. There's no drawback though, and I am capable of a 169/170 in Q, so why not. There's a chance it would help one way or the other. 

[e2e4]

20 hours ago, secondarydefinitions said:

I definitely hear that. There's no drawback though, and I am capable of a 169/170 in Q, so why not. There's a chance it would help one way or the other. 

i think the drawback is opportunity cost & truly diminishing returns as sloth adeptly pointed out, but shoot your shot