Last minute retake?

[sabdo]

So I just got my GRE scores from my Sep 3 test. Results were 156 on Q (74% or 720 on old scale) and 162 on V (90% or 640 on old scale). As for the AWA: engineering schools don't give a shit nor do I. However, let me reassure that i am indeed literate.

Anyways, my Q is clearly below the average of the top 15 chem E/Bio E schools I'm applying to for an MS. However, back when I signed up for my Sep GRE, I signed up for an additional Nov 18th GRE just in case my scores came out and were a disaster. This way I would have a week and a half to try again. Now my score isn't disastrous but it isn't great either.

My question is at this point: is it worth taking it again on Nov 18th? I would be more than happy to simply cancel it and go on with my life however, I feel like I should bounce the idea around with people. Yes, my score not ideal but I feel like it should be enough to pass whatever cut off they use for screening purposes. I mean, my buddy got into Berkeley Chem E MS program (#2 in the nation) with a 79% Q. Also his stats outside of the GREs were similar to mine if not a bit less. My upper div GPA is a 3.76 (higher than my friend's) in Chem E. I did research in a lab back at school and I currently work as an RA in a professional lab so I definitely have research experience. Plus, I have solid LORs.

A large part of me wants to just turn the page and just go with my scores. However, I can't help but have nagging doubts over the damn quantitative section. So what do you guys think, should I just be okay with things or cram the next week and a half for the test for a potentially higher score. This of course means that there is a possibility that I could score worse. Plus it would be my 3rd test this year since I bombed the quant the first time I took it (670, 61%) back in August.

What do you guys think?

[emmm]

That's a tough one. Taking it 3 times seems (from comments on this board) to be borderline excessive, but you had to retake it after your first weak showing. It's too bad you did not manage to score higher this time, as it reinforces the sense that math is not your forte -- not a good thing for an applicant in engineering. How likely is it that you'd do significantly better this time? Presumably, you studied between your two attempts at the test, but you won't have much time to study now. I don't think your score is going to help you any, but hopefully it won't keep you out either. I don't think you're going to be able to get a clear-cut answer on this question. If you think you can definitely improve, maybe you should go for it. If not, I think getting a third mediocre score would be worse that just staying with what you have now.

[Lox26]

I second the above. Your quant is low for engineering, but a third low showing reinforces doubt about your math skills and diverts time, energy, and other resources from the rest of your application. Your GPA is high and in a tough, relevant major. Assuming you got A's in your engineering/math classes (not just in electives) and your cum is not too much lower than your upper division GPA (last 2 years?), you should have a decent shot at your prospective programs. What are the typical scores of admitted applicants at these schools? Typical work experience? Number of publications (if this matters for an MS)? Are you as good a fit as your friend was for the programs to which you're applying (assuming it's not like med or law school, which have standard curricula across programs)?

Maybe it would be best to save the second re-take for next year, in the event that you don't get in to a suitable program. Hopefully, you won't have to worry about that.

[sabdo]

My last 2 years is essentially all my upper div engineering courses. So yeah A- minus average for eng/sci classes. Unfortunately my cumulative is more complicated. I went 2 different four year schools. I started out at UC Santa Barbara and had a bad freshman year (18 and dumb). I left that school, went to a community college, got my shit together, and transferred to UC San Diego. That's where I spent my last 2 years and got my degree in Chem E. My cumulative unfortunately is 3.428 due to my bad freshman year at UCSB. However, I do know that my GPA of the last years is more important and is also above the average for almost all the schools in the top 15. MS average for bioE/chemE range typically from 3.5-3.6. Certain individual schools are in the 3.7 range.

As for my friend, he went to the same school as me and worked on the same research as me. I think that he made a really good pitch on his SOP for his app. I believe that is what got him in. As for work experience, a lot of the MS applicants are applying straight out of undergrad, so usually pretty low. As for publications, they certainly help but are relatively rare at the MS level. Expectations are much higher on that front at the phD level.

[Lox26]

I honestly don't know how you will be evaluated. What have the programs told you about your scores? Try to inquire about your prospects based on your GRE/GPA, if you have not yet done so.