How is important is the Analytical Writing score, anyway?

[ayersjr0]

I just got my GRE scores back: 156 Quant, 163 Verbal, and 4.5 Analytical.

I'm fairly satisfied with my quant and verbal scores, but my analytical is disapointing, and probably due to the fact that I didn't finish my first essay (I freeze up taking timed test... yikes)

I'm planning to start applying to programs for psychological anthropology next year, and I don't know whether it's worth it to re-take the GRE just to get a better writing score. Will a 4.5 be detrimental to my chances of getting into an anthro program?

Thanks in advance!

Edited February 19, 2012 by ayersjr0

[crazygirl2012]

A 4.5 is 72nd percentile and shouldn't hurt you. The score is practically meaningless. The first time I took the GRE, I got a 6.0 (99th percentile). Second time, 4.5. My friend also got a 4.5, and she struggles with grammar a lot more than I do because English is her third language. The best predictor of an Analytical Writing score is the length of the essays. Sad, but true.

[jenjenjen]

I don't think you should worry about it. I'm in sociology, not anthro, but my scores were very similar: 158 quant, 167 verbal, 4.5 writing. I've been accepted to more than one top-10 program. I think if you have other evidence you can write well (statement of purpose, writing sample) then it is not worth retaking the test.

[svh]

I got a 4.5 on my analytical, and I don't think it's affected me negatively. This seems to be the sense when I spoke with other prospectives at interviews, as well.

[CarlieE]

I'd say that if you're worried about it, make sure you send a kick-ass writing sample. Sometimes writing samples are "optional" but I always included one. I also chose a WS that was a complete and finished paper, not a draft or a partial; one that I had received an A on, or gotten awesome feedback on from a professor.

[ayersjr0]

That's all good to hear. Thanks so much for replying everyone! I know it's not the most interesting thing in the world to talk about other people's standardized test scores, so thanks for taking the time to advise me!