Excellent GPA but Average GRE, Can I seriously hope for admits from Top Schools?

[Goku_Naruto]

Hello All,

I completed MS from University of Texas at Dallas with GPA: 3.97. I had distinction in my undergrad also, but my GRE score is: 

Verbal: 610

Quants: 730

AWA: 3.0

I applied to CALTECH, UC Berkeley, U of Michigan, U of Chicago, JHU. I am quite worried now about my school selection as people are telling me that I have very low probability of getting into any one of the mentioned schools. Does anyone have an idea of what my chances might be to get into one of the mentioned schools? Thank you. 

Regards

[OhMySocks]

From what I can tell, GPA and GRE are both down on the list of what they are actually looking for Ph.D. programs. Having research perience and a good SOP as well as good recommendations will affect your chances much more than the GRE. I don't think your GRE is prohibitively low, and if its the only weak spot in an otherwise good application, I expect that it won't make a huge difference. But since I know nothing else about your application, I can't really comment on your chances.

[Goku_Naruto]

From what I can tell, GPA and GRE are both down on the list of what they are actually looking for Ph.D. programs. Having research perience and a good SOP as well as good recommendations will affect your chances much more than the GRE. I don't think your GRE is prohibitively low, and if its the only weak spot in an otherwise good application, I expect that it won't make a huge difference. But since I know nothing else about your application, I can't really comment on your chances.

Thanks ! I have four recommendations (one from India, three from US), all are well known researchers. In my SOP I have mentioned my area of interest and the background that I have in terms of research and certifications. I have also mentioned the Profs whose work and research interest me. So what do you think now ?

[ab2013]

I once overheard an administrator in the CS building here at UMich telling a professor that they cannot admit a PhD applicant who had a 760 in Q. The professor insisted. 

 

Knowing a professor or two might help. I hear the PhD program here is pretty competitive. Good luck! 

[josefchung]

Yah. The school administrators usually care much more about the GREs than the professors (some of whom might not even care at all).