I Have An MA and Am Applying to PhD Programs. GRE Required?

[historyprof1210]

Hi:

In July 2013, I will have an M.A. in Historical Studies from the University of Cambridge.

This Fall, I will begin applying to PhD programs in political science in the United States (I am a US citizen).

I have already taken the GRE - but my scores were not all that great.

Must I submit GRE scores if I already have an MA? Should I think about retaking the GRE test to submit even though I will have an MA? A little confused about this.

Thanks!

[3point14]

In all likelihood you will still have to submit GRE scores. GRE scores are not the most important part of your application. LoR's and SoP are much more important. Since you already have an MA, you've proven that you are already capable of performing well in graduate level work. That being said, it certainly wouldn't hurt your application to have really good GRE scores and it's one of the easier parts of your application to improve upon.

[Spore]

Very few PhD programs will waive GRE scores. I applied last cycle and I have a PhD (2008, Molecular Genetics) and there were some schools that were requiring me to submit a fresh set of scores....my last scores expired long ago and I lost my unofficial copy.

So plan on submitting.

[TheFez]

You will undoubtedly have to submit GRE when applying.

How bad were your previous scores?