low verbal score: still any chance top 5 schools?

[albertlee]

Hi all,

I just got my unofficial scores. 155v 168m

I think I am ok with my math score. However, it looks like my verbal is only at the 65th percentile. :-(

Do you guys think that my verbal is too weak to deserve a chance at a top 5 school? Should I really retake my GRE?

I am aiming for a PhD.

[HappyCat13]

My verbal is also low. Quite similar to yours. But I still apply top schools.

I notice MIT does not require gre score at all. I believe that top schools normally don't regard gre score as important. When you really start the applications you'll know why. Personal statement, reference letters, GPA, published paper are far more important.

There is a list of average gre score for students admitted to top school. If I don't remember wrongly, your verbal score is the average among all admitted applicants in many top us schools in Comp sci.

[anacron]

Do you guys think that my verbal is too weak to deserve a chance at a top 5 school? Should I really retake my GRE?

I am aiming for a PhD.

No and no. You gre scores will not matter at those schools.