Should I re-take the GRE?

[IAmtheLaw68]

Hey all, just looking for some thoughts/opinions on whether or not I should re-take the GRE. I just graduated and am planning on applying to joint-MBA/MPA-ID programs in about 4 years. I took the GRE twice -- I got 168 V/156 M/5.5 AWA the first time (April 2019) and 167 V/163 M/5.5 AWA the second time (June 2019). My top choices are Harvard and Stanford (HBS/GBS and HKS/GSB). I'm also very interested in certain 3-year DPhil programs at Oxbridge.

I'd mostly like to grind a bit on math for ~8 weeks and then re-take the test in the fall before I start work. How much good would this do to my application? Does re-taking a third time look bad? What are the risks here? I'm also assuming I'm fine not to take the GMAT since I'm applying to joint programs, but if anyone has insight here let me know.

If it's necessary/helpful: I graduated from HYPSM with a 3.72 (post-freshman GPA is 3.87, major GPA is 3.96) in economics, going to MBB post-grad, excellent resumé (successful start-up, publications, good internships, etc.), hoping rec letters will be good/very good but may not be eye-catching or stellar. Female, URM but debating whether to put it in on the app for personal reasons.

Edited June 22, 2020 by IAmtheLaw68

[Mppirgradschool]

Your second GRE score is good enough.

4 years is still a ways away but given what your stats are + current employment -- and supposing you do well at work -- I'd say you will get in at HBS, for sure. HKS MPA-ID is tough to assess, as it's primarily intended for folks from developing countries, and the cohorts are small. You would definitely get into the MPP/MPA, though.

Your odds at Stanford are probably 50/50. I'm not really seeing any social entrepreneurship in your profile -- you may have not mentioned it -- but your profile looks more HBS than Stanford GSB, imo.

Edited June 23, 2020 by Mppirgradschool

[IAmtheLaw68]

25 minutes ago, Mppirgradschool said:

Your second GRE score is good enough.

4 years is still a ways away but given what your stats are + current employment -- and supposing you do well at work -- I'd say you will get in at HBS, for sure. HKS MPA-ID is tough to assess, as it's primarily intended for folks from developing countries, and the cohorts are small. You would definitely get into the MPP/MPA, though.

Your odds at Stanford are probably 50/50. I'm not really seeing any social entrepreneurship in your profile -- you may have not mentioned it -- but your profile looks more HBS than Stanford GSB, imo.

Oh yeah my main activity throughout college has been running a social enterprise and similarly other more development/social sector-minded things, which is why I was very interested in GSB. 

Thanks, this is helpful

[GradSchoolGrad]

1 hour ago, IAmtheLaw68 said:

Oh yeah my main activity throughout college has been running a social enterprise and similarly other more development/social sector-minded things, which is why I was very interested in GSB. 

Thanks, this is helpful

I think you will get in easy. There is however a question of how much scholarship you will get. This might change by the time you apply, but schools will pay for scholarships for high GMAT scores (since it helps their stats). They will not pay for GRE scores (at least not yet). It is very rare for to find someone who got an MBA scholarship without a GMAT. This likely won't matter for GSB or HBS, but could if you seek to go one step below to like a Northwestern Kellogg or MIT Sloan or Yale SOM.

[IAmtheLaw68]

28 minutes ago, GradSchoolGrad said:

I think you will get in easy. There is however a question of how much scholarship you will get. This might change by the time you apply, but schools will pay for scholarships for high GMAT scores (since it helps their stats). They will not pay for GRE scores (at least not yet). It is very rare for to find someone who got an MBA scholarship without a GMAT. This likely won't matter for GSB or HBS, but could if you seek to go one step below to like a Northwestern Kellogg or MIT Sloan or Yale SOM.

Hmm ok, in that case I may consider taking the GMAT later. Would any of these MPA schools offer $ for a higher GRE?

[GradSchoolGrad]

7 hours ago, IAmtheLaw68 said:

Hmm ok, in that case I may consider taking the GMAT later. Would any of these MPA schools offer $ for a higher GRE?

MPA schools generally have a more holistic view of applicants. Obviously you need a good GRE score to prove you metal, but they normally pay scholarships for potential or high status / interesting background + years of work experience. So bottom line, to get a scholarship, you would need to pass GRE threshold (whatever it might be for the year in question), but they wouldn't pay only off of the GRE. 

[prepedonline]

Hii  iamthelaw68 ,  As i read  your objective is very clear and  your score in  June 2019 is good enough to secure your admition in  collage of your choice .        

Edited September 19, 2020 by prpeped