GRE Scores--Make or Break a strong application?

[WritingTrouble]

Hi All- I have taken to GRE over a number of times and still have a low score. I plan on applying to PhD programs this year for 2014. Should I continue to try for a higher score?

[GeoDUDE!]

It depends. It will cost you at the top ~50  or so universities.... but not disqualfiy you.

[coronax707]

Just check the "Our students usually have an average of  V X/ Q Y / AWA Z  on the GRE exam.." kind of statement on the universities you want to apply to.

Just that. There is NO THUMB RULE to be disqualified unless you tress-pass the universitie's defined minimum scores.. (way below average) (better to lie around 1 sigma )

Edited August 12, 2013 by coronax707

[Yetanotherdegree]

I think it kind of depends on how low your scores are and how great the rest of your application is.

I know that where I'm applying the V score is considered important, the Q score doesn't matter unless its so far below what they usually see that it raises a red flag, and the AW needs to be respectable. This info came from the program director at a TT institution, FWIW.

I've also heard that everyone gets one mistake/issue, but not more than one. If your GRE scores are your one thing and the rest of the application is stellar, then you should be fine, as long as those low numbers aren't too low.

[CommPhD20]

Also depends on the field. In film studies, "low" is not such a big deal, especially in Q. 

 

It would also be helpful if you shared what you mean by "low" - 140? 150? 160? Low to one person is just fine for some others.

[Guest |||]

A gre score will not make or break you, unless your score is on an extreme end.  Score well, then work else where.