GRE scores (taken twice now)

[greencoloredpencil]

I've taken the GRE twice now and received a miserably low quantitative score both times. The first time I got a 151 and the second time a 153. My verbal performance was not as good as it could have been but acceptable: 163 the first time and 164 the second time. Now my scores barely improved on the retake so I don't think that another retake would help (not to mention I have even less time to study for a retake than I had last time). My main reason for retaking the test initially was that I was sick the first time I took it and thought that I'd do much better retaking the test when I was well--clearly this was not the case.

 

Will my quantitative score ruin my chances at top programs? My philosophy GPA is perfect (4.0 with several A+s), I'm an undergraduate at a school with a department ranked just outside the top 10, and my writing sample is strong. In short, I feel very confident in all other aspects of the application. However, will my atrocious quantitative score prevent me from being considered at top departments? I'm worried that I'll be eliminated after the first cut due to my quantitative score.  

Edited September 27, 2013 by greencoloredpencil

[philstudent1991]

I don't think it'll sink you. But regardless, don't waste the time and money messing with it. Focus on getting strong letters and a strong sample. Just my 2 cents

[maxhgns]

Don't worry about it, and focus on stuff you *can* improve. AFAIK, virtually nobody makes the first cut on GRE alone. What they do, often, is set aside low GRE scores for further follow-up (i.e. looking at your grades and stuff).

 

 

Also, FWIW, the Leiter rankings are of graduate, not undergraduate, programs.

[wandajune]

I definitely wouldn't worry about it. Just work on your writing sample and make that as good as possible. Many schools claim not to focus too much on GRE scores anyway, they seem to care more about the writing sample and other aspects of the application.

 

And anyway, that isn't exactly an atrocious score. It's right around the average for those who take the GRE and intend to study philosophy at the graduate level. As long as the rest of your application makes you stand out, I don't see how it could prevent you from getting in.

[Narziss]

I know someone who got into a top 5 program with a lower score

[thelonious23]

What you're interested in will also make a difference. I think strongly analytic programs put more emphasis on the quantitative score, but more pluralistic programs (and certainly the continental oriented) are more interested, generally, in other parts of your application. 

[greencoloredpencil]

Well it's much to late to do anything about it now. Unfortunately for me, if what you say tends to be how many programs look at the quantitative score, I'm in trouble. My interests are highly analytic (philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, philosophy of math, Wittgenstein). Though I started college as a math major and have taken a substantial number of math courses (including upper division courses) with good grades in them. I'm hoping that this will help compensate for my low score.