Conundrum: Retake the GRE?

[catenaires]

Hi all,

So an interesting thing happened with my GRE scores which just came back today. I'm very pleased with my 165 (96%) verbal, and 169 (98%) quantitative, but unhappy about my 4.5 (72%) analytical writing score. I'm applying this fall to humanities phD's (historical musicology/music theory) and I was wondering if my AW score would put me out of the running at top schools. I feel that my writing sample will be the basis for any real judgment of my work/ability, but should I expect that my AW score might cause committees to look askance at my application?

[edgirl]

No. Don't worry about the AW score; just focus on your writing sample.

[emmm]

No, don't retake.

[contretemps]

No.

[bfat]

From everything that I've read, including info on admissions sites, the AW section is a total joke--no one cares about it at all, especially if you're submitting a writing sample too. 4.5 is totally fine, and the rest of your score is awesome. Don't give ETS any more money!