user999 Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 (edited) Hi people, I'm applying to Aerosopace at gatech. My profile: The good - A++ recommendations - 2+ yrs UG research including a summer in the US (outside my home university) - conference publication, another paper on the way (and possibly two) - 3.9+ GPA (4.0) - A++ SOP (testimonials from two professors and advisor) The bad: - GRE: V=156, Q=163, W=4.5 I should note that I'm an international applicant and english is not my native language, but that's no excuse and the GRE is still not representative at all. My score dropped from 90th percentiles on the practice tests to the one you see above. I did the test twice (!!) but I fell sick on both occasions (I know it's hard to believe, but sadly shit happens). I'm gutted because I never got to finish the test on both occasions: I always left out a bunch of questions on each section, questions that I know I could have nailed... It's hard enough to get funding for internationals like me, especially when it comes to competetive universities, and even if it's an "perfect" application. If anyone is in on these things could you comment on my chances of admission? Do you recommend I apply straight for PhD or a masters? Please comment only if you know a thing or twoa about this. No offence intended but please don't share irrelevant anecdotes or just reply to acknowledge my situation... Edited January 17, 2012 by user999
TexasGuy Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 hey I dont wanna give irrelevant info but for chem Engr, the averages for admitted students were 771(~161) and 590(~159). doubt the average for aerospace is significantly higher...You GRE scores are CLEARLY not bad..
emmm Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 Do you have any interview invitations? That should be a sign that you're fine (if you do). If not, it just means things are super competitive, because those scores are fine. user999 1
commguy Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 i think i know the problem: the scores are now out of 170 for each section (not 800). sincerely, Serious Poster blaspheming and commguy 2
emmm Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 Maybe -- I'd like to think that the scores will be converted to the more familiar scores, at least for this transition year, but perhaps not.
user999 Posted January 18, 2012 Author Posted January 18, 2012 (edited) Maybe -- I'd like to think that the scores will be converted to the more familiar scores, at least for this transition year, but perhaps not. The new scores will be weighed equally with the old ones, and there really is no point in converting them because of the equivalence charts for the percentiles... Edited January 18, 2012 by user999
MCS_aspirant Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 Well, if you are applying for Fall 2012 (as your profile says), all the deadlines are already gone (at least for the top 5 schools: MIT, Caltech, Stanford, Princeton, Gatech and U-Michigan). So what's the point of bothering about these? I honestly don't get it...
emmm Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 I know there are equivalence charts, but I think there's a sense that breaking 700 is good (or perhaps 750 for Q), and it's not quite so impressive when you just look at the percentages ... Maybe it is possible to look at new and old scores and just consider the percentages, so that all applicants are on equal footing. All I know is I'm glad I was applying LAST year!
user999 Posted January 21, 2012 Author Posted January 21, 2012 (edited) Well, if you are applying for Fall 2012 (as your profile says), all the deadlines are already gone (at least for the top 5 schools: MIT, Caltech, Stanford, Princeton, Gatech and U-Michigan). So what's the point of bothering about these? I honestly don't get it... I (reluctantly) sent them to MIT because I had no choice, and Gatech's deadline is February 1. There are *plenty* of good schools that still accept applications, they're no Ivy league schools but still very respectable and well-funded/cited, etc and they can get quite competitive. To answer your question I was having second thoughts, I mean what's the point of wasting time tweaking the SOP and paying another application fee only to realize I had no chance in the first place? No one answered the other question: Is it better to apply for phd right away? Will they offer me an MS if I don't make the cut? Edited January 21, 2012 by user999
habanero Posted January 30, 2012 Posted January 30, 2012 You're fine. I got PhD interviews there with a similar Q score. Remember, it is the same as a 780.
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