GRE for PhD in History (foreign student)

[Nats]

Hi,

I just passed the GRE and would like to apply for a PhD in History. I am aiming at the top 3 programs.

My scores are:

- 680 Verbal (96%)

- 770 Quant (87%)

- 5.0 Writing (84%)

I am a little bit disappointed with my writing score, since I have often read that it was better to have 5.5 or 6 in writing. On the other hand, I am not sure I could do better if given a second chance (especially since the process looks quite arbitrary to me). So basically I have 2 questions:

- to what extent would the committee take into account the fact that I am not coming from an English speaking-country ?

- do you think that it is worth taking the exam again (I have a good writing sample and Statement of purpose, and a solid academic background in my home country)

Many thanks for your help !

[Comet7777]

Hi,

I just passed the GRE and would like to apply for a PhD in History. I am aiming at the top 3 programs.

My scores are:

- 680 Verbal (96%)

- 770 Quant (87%)

- 5.0 Writing (84%)

I am a little bit disappointed with my writing score, since I have often read that it was better to have 5.5 or 6 in writing. On the other hand, I am not sure I could do better if given a second chance (especially since the process looks quite arbitrary to me). So basically I have 2 questions:

- to what extent would the committee take into account the fact that I am not coming from an English speaking-country ?

- do you think that it is worth taking the exam again (I have a good writing sample and Statement of purpose, and a solid academic background in my home country)

Many thanks for your help !

Your scores are absolutely fine, and they seem good enough to get into many top 10 programs. However, your GRE scores are at the bottom of the totem pole for adcoms. What will matter more so than your writing score (which isn't even that important to begin with compared to the verbal) will be your actual writing sample, statement of purpose, and above anything else fit. Universities want to know that your research goals complement well with the faculty in the department. But to assuage your fears, no your GRE is fine, you don't need to retake it, but it's time to start worrying a little bit more about your writing samples and the fit of a university.

[TMP]

Actually, your scores are right in the pen for History PhD. Don't worry about it. Focus on your SOP and writing sample.

[Emerson]

Your scores are absolutely fine, and they seem good enough to get into many top 10 programs. However, your GRE scores are at the bottom of the totem pole for adcoms. What will matter more so than your writing score (which isn't even that important to begin with compared to the verbal) will be your actual writing sample, statement of purpose, and above anything else fit. Universities want to know that your research goals complement well with the faculty in the department. But to assuage your fears, no your GRE is fine, you don't need to retake it, but it's time to start worrying a little bit more about your writing samples and the fit of a university.

What they said. Your GRE scores are more than enough to get you into the conversation, which is what they are designed to do. They are likely to even put you in a good position for funding.

Now focus on the things that matter once you are in the conversation.