Should I apply this Fall or wait another year?

[moda]

Hello everyone!

 

I understand that you have been asked this a million times, but I am going to kindly ask you to please let me know what you think.

 

I am currently debating about applying this fall:

 

I recently finished my BA in Women's Studies and Sociology at a liberal arts college. My undergraduate GPA was 3.75, with the last 2 years and major GPAs being 3.87+ I completed an Honors Thesis, which I defended to an outside examiner. A chapter from this thesis would be my writing example.

 

I am leaving next week on a Fulbright Research Grant in Sociology to China where I am hoping to gather data for future papers.

 

Here is my problem: the GRE. My scores are Q:154 V:164.  I am looking for qualitative programs, but am weary that my quant score will not make the cutoffs at many schools. If I retake, I will need to do it while I am in China. I am not sure how that will work!

 

What do you think? Should I apply this year or wait until I get back, retake the GRE, and apply next fall?

 

Thank you for your advice!

[gilbertrollins]

Is 154 in the 80th percentile?  You're coming from a women's studies background and have great momentum in that direction; I don't think your quant score will hold you back.  You can retake in China just fine, it's just cumbersome to get to a testing center and such.  I would definitely apply for this fall -- you really sound like a strong candidate who is worried about marginal issues, and making a bit too big of a deal about it.  

 

Good luck researching out there!

[gilbertrollins]

^as in you really need to be in the 80th percentile to avoid any desk-rejections.  Above there is desirable, but not required as long as you have a strong application.