GRE scores for master’s programs in history

[briskin14]

Hey, so I’m currently applying to master’s programs in history (my goal is to teach at community college level). I’m a resident of Philly, and am looking to apply to UPenn and Temple. UPenn would definitely be the dream, I’m just nervous that my undergrad gpa and gre scores are too low. I had a 3.4 in undergrad (at Rutgers University) and received a 321 on the GRE (162 verbal, 155 quant, 4 awa). I’m considering taking the test again to raise my writing score, I definitely panicked a bit with the time crunch lol. Any advice would be appreciated!

[essiec]

6 hours ago, briskin14 said:

Hey, so I’m currently applying to master’s programs in history (my goal is to teach at community college level). I’m a resident of Philly, and am looking to apply to UPenn and Temple. UPenn would definitely be the dream, I’m just nervous that my undergrad gpa and gre scores are too low. I had a 3.4 in undergrad (at Rutgers University) and received a 321 on the GRE (162 verbal, 155 quant, 4 awa). I’m considering taking the test again to raise my writing score, I definitely panicked a bit with the time crunch lol. Any advice would be appreciated!

I'm applying to Temple for History PhD and they say it should exceed 303 for verbal and quant. You're at 317, I think that's fine. I'm not sure what UPenn has a recommendation.

My GRE scores were squarely average. I took them two years ago for my current MA program, and I'm pretty sure my score for those two sections are 302. lol. I'm still going to apply, and for me it's not worth it to retake it because Temple is the only school I'm applying to that is requiring a GRE this year. Most professors don't give a fig about GRE scores from what I've heard, and to me I see it more as an application formality. I know I have a good writing sample, SOP, and strong letters of recs, so I feel confident holistically, even with my less-than-stellar GRE score. 

For an MA program, it's not as customary to reach out to potential advisors ahead of time like it would be for a PhD program, but if there's someone who absolutely aligns with your interests, it might not hurt to give your application a tiny boost.

Overall, I think it's more important to make sure your writing sample and SOP are really strong (get an advisor/others to read over it) and make sure your recommenders really know you well enough for a strong letter (and/or supply them with a short CV/transcript/old assignments to jog their memory about your strengths).
If you have the time/money to squeeze in another GRE test taking sesh, it wouldn't hurt. But I would devote my precious stress over other things, personally.