Implications of terrible writing gre score?

[jimjam]

Hey everyone, I'm a math major at a top public university in the states applying to stats programs. I recently got my general gre scores and they were: 170 q, 161 v and 3.0 w. I'm pleased with the first two, but the 3.0 on the writing is 11th percentile... I'm now assuming I didn't format the second response in the way ets demands, as I got a 720 on the writing for the SAT back in the day, and if anything, I've become a more logical writer since my high school days.

Can anyone assess the damage done? FWIW, my gpa is 4.0 in math and 3.8 overall, and I should have at least two strong recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

[TakeruK]

Depending on the school and program, you might be able to get away with it -- I know that most physics programs (not math but still a physical science) pretty much completely ignore the General GRE score. I think they are just forced to ask for you for the score because the University's Faculty/School of Grad Studies require it.

However, a 3.0 on the writing part is a bit low ! Maybe you can talk to profs that you know to see what they think of the score. And you can also contact schools that you're interested in and ask if you can submit a writing sample as "supplemental information" to offset your GRE writing score. But if you're worried about the score, maybe consider retaking the exam after basically memorizing the structure of the samples online? The GRE's AW section is a bit silly, you have to write it exactly the way they want it! I'd probably say a 4.0 is a good enough score in the physical sciences, but I don't think a 3.0 will automatically rule you out at all schools.

[cyberwulf]

Don't worry about it. While 3.0 is a relatively low score for a student applying from a U.S. undergraduate program, it sounds like the rest of your application is strong enough that the response to that piece of information will probably be along the lines of "huh, that's odd, I wonder what happened there?" before it is essentially disregarded.

[jimjam]

Thank you cyberwulf and TakeruK! I really appreciate your feedback.