GRE Woes – High Verbal, Low Quant, Abysmal AW

[tuesmoon]

I was planning on applying to a variety of master’s programs this fall – in applied anthropology, education policy, public policy, etc. After viewing my AW score this morning for the first time (3.5), I’m starting to feel like my application as a whole won’t be competitive enough for certain types of programs. But ultimately I just don’t know. Perhaps my ignorance of my chances is a clue that I should wait another year and do all that I can in the meantime to improve.

My GRE scores were: 730 Verbal, 640 Quant, and 3.5 AW. I’m pleased with the verbal score and not really surprised by the quant, but the low writing score has me feeling pretty insecure/disheartened right now. Though I’ve never stood out for my writing ability, I thought I was at least competent. Having read recent threads in this subforum, I realize that a low AW score by itself is not so dire… unless it doesn’t meet a cutoff for admissions. It seems that a 3.5 is at or below the minimum acceptable score for many programs. And while I could take the new GRE, I worry that I’d waste time preparing for it that would be better spent strengthening other parts of my application.

So I have a few questions:

• Is my AW score so low that I absolutely should take the exam again?
  
  • Is the AW score considered heavily in decisions about funding?
    

  [*]Some MPP programs are especially math-heavy… should I even bother applying to them given my low quant score and the fact that I haven’t taken any courses in economics and only one very basic statistics course? My undergrad was in anthropology and I have absolutely no experience with quantitative methods… actually I think I’m answering my own question :\

[Eigen]

You're asking aout your chances but really don't give much else to go on. In general, unless your scores are really low, the GRE is e least important part of your application.

[lottesnk]

My opinion is don't worry about the AW section, concentrate on proving your quantitative capabilities to public policy programs, especially if you're applying to ones that emphasis math/analysis. The AW section is subjective unlike the quantitative (Q) section, and admissions committees know that the AW is a complete crap shoot. As a result, I believe they lend far more weight to Q than AW, particularly for those without a strong quantitative academic history. If you don't think you can boost your GRE math score, try supplementing your app with a stats, econ, or math course this fall. Additionally, you can always prove your writing skills in your SOP and the like.

As one admissions director told me, all adcoms want is some evidence, reassurance, that you'll be able to hang in their stats/econ heavy program -- courses, gre score, something. If one is lacking, then they'll weigh the other more heavily.

As cliche as this may sound, every application is unique and one component shouldn't make or break it.

Edited August 7, 2011 by josephine2012

[tuesmoon]

You're asking aout your chances but really don't give much else to go on. In general, unless your scores are really low, the GRE is e least important part of your application.

Ah, I did not intend for this to be a "what are my chances" sort of post -- so that's why I haven't provided information about other aspects of my application/qualifications. I wanted to know whether that AW score is reason alone to retake the GRE (ie would most programs throw out my app upon seeing it) and also whether my quant score would keep me out of MPP programs specifically. But now that I've received some feedback I'm realizing that my low AW may indeed be the least of my worries.

My opinion is don't worry about the AW section, concentrate on proving your quantitative capabilities to public policy programs, especially if you're applying to ones that emphasis math/analysis. The AW section is subjective unlike the quantitative (Q) section, and admissions committees know that the AW is a complete crap shoot. As a result, I believe they lend far more weight to Q than AW, particularly for those without a strong quantitative academic history. If you don't think you can boost your GRE math score, try supplementing your app with a stats, econ, or math course this fall. Additionally, you can always prove your writing skills in your SOP and the like.

As one admissions director told me, all adcoms want is some evidence, reassurance, that you'll be able to hang in their stats/econ heavy program -- courses, gre score, something. If one is lacking, then they'll weigh the other more heavily.

As cliche as this may sound, every application is unique and one component shouldn't make or break it.

I posted my questions on another site and the consensus was that I probably shouldn't retake and that I can compensate for my low AW with a strong SoP and writing sample. But this is the first time I've received advice particular to public policy programs/my low quant score. Unfortunately I don't know that I'll be able to take any courses now that I've graduated, moved, and intend to work until I (hopefully) enter a grad program. It seems like that would be the most effective way to demonstrate my ability "to hang in their stats/econ heavy program" though. I'm going to have to do more research about these programs I'm interested in and decide whether it'd be worth it to possibly take more time off gaining experience and taking relevant courses. Thank you very much for your input.

[trevortiger]

I just took the (old format) GRE on July 23 and I was somewhat surprised by my AW score. I shouldn't complain because it was a 5, but I have a PhD from an Ivy League school in literature if that makes you feel any better. I really didn't feel as though I tanked either question, but now I am wondering if I messed one up and it brought down my average score (I was hoping for at least a 5.5). I can't imagine that the departments really look at that score for more than a second unless they have a minimum requirement. They can always ask to see your test writing sample or request another writing sample from you. Like you, I had a high verbal score. Bizarre. It is a silly test:) I don't think I would take it again with your scores. I don't think that one score would be a disqualifying factor if you have a well-written SOP and decent grades. Just my 2c.

[tuesmoon]

I just took the (old format) GRE on July 23 and I was somewhat surprised by my AW score. I shouldn't complain because it was a 5, but I have a PhD from an Ivy League school in literature if that makes you feel any better. I really didn't feel as though I tanked either question, but now I am wondering if I messed one up and it brought down my average score (I was hoping for at least a 5.5). I can't imagine that the departments really look at that score for more than a second unless they have a minimum requirement. They can always ask to see your test writing sample or request another writing sample from you. Like you, I had a high verbal score. Bizarre. It is a silly test:) I don't think I would take it again with your scores. I don't think that one score would be a disqualifying factor if you have a well-written SOP and decent grades. Just my 2c.

Thanks for your reassurances, I appreciate it.