[GRE scores] Not sure whether to keep on "fighting" or not

[JenniferCarlyle]

Hi, I'm "supposed" to be an international applicant for Fall 2013, but now I'm not really sure whether I should be or not

Last year, I took the GRE twice. The first time I got 152 (53%) in Verbal, and the second time I got 155 (65%). I just retake the test again today and got a dreadful 155 again. I almost cried at the test center. Though many of you said the GRE scores are a lot less important than SOP, writing samples, and LoR, it is a truth universally acknowledged that they are capable of keeping an applicant out.

Since it seems to me that I can only get 150-something in Verbal no matter how hard I prepare for the exam, I wonder if, with my terrible verbal score, I may still stand a chance of being accepted to any English PhD programs in the US? Or should I just stop hoping against hope? By the way, I'm currently writing my MA thesis and expect to graduate in February 2013

Edited September 15, 2012 by JenniferCarlyle

[1Q84]

It all depends on what type of PhD program you want to enter, of course. Is it a "Top 20"? Although that might be on the lower end of a competitive GRE score for "Top 20" schools, like everyone always says around here, there are no guarantees.

There are plenty of stories of people who have overcome poor scores and been accepted at their dream schools. Most professors I've spoken to have been emphatic that the GRE is going to be the least important deciding factor for adcomms.

Just wow them in every other part of the application and hope for the best.

(PS. I'm not sure if you've taken professional prep courses for the GRE. Maybe that's something you should consider if the GRE score is really stressing you out. I personally don't think that's worth it, but others might attest differently.)

[Stately Plump]

If you want to apply, apply. You never know what might happen. I certainly wouldn't not apply, just because of GRE scores.

[ProfLorax]

Just popping on here to say that I feel your pain. I got in the high 150's after getting 162+ on all the practice tests. Boo.

(Sorry to make it all about me. I'm just really bummed out. Still totally applying though.)

[cubiclemusic]

Last year when I applied my GRE scores were pretty mediocre. I was waitlisted at three top 20 schools and ultimately did not get in—not because of my test scores, but because the ideas in my SOP were not as fully developed as some of the other applicants. You can still get noticed with so-so GRE scores if the written components of your application are strong, and in my experience it really came down to those aspects.