Recommended GRE scores?

[Casper_the_Ghost]

Hi!

 

I know that the GRE scoes are just one component of the application (so not the end all be all), but I was wondering if someone has any idea of what kind of scores the top Art History PhD programs are looking for.

 

I was surprised to see that Columbia recommends that students have "at least" a 166 on the verbal, 160 on the quantitative reasoning and a 5.5 on the written essay. Are those the sort of scores that most top programs are looking for? Is there anyone out there who is attending Columbia who had lower scores?

 

I have only taken the GRE once. My scores are: 167 on the verbal (97th percentile), 151 on the quantitative reasoning (48th percentile), and 5.0 on the analytical writing (92nd percentile). Do you guys think I need to retake the test?? Honestly, I feel fine about my scores, and I think that they more or less reflect my abilities... I'm not sure that I would score any higher were I to take the test a second time... But I am willing to try again if that is what it takes to get into a good PhD program....

 

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!

 

Thank you in advance!

[EloiseGC]

I had almost the exact same scores, maybe just a teeny tiny bit higher in math. You're perfectly fine, nothing much would change if you took it again.

[Borden]

What I've been consistently told is that good scores won't get you in but bad scores will keep you out. Those seem fine.

[Seeking]

In most cases your scores would be fine. 

 

But if you are applying to Columbia then you should re-take the GRE, since they have specified the minimum scores. You could also write to the academic co-ordinator there and ask about it, in case it's a flexible policy. The Grad-admission page of Columbia mentions that only Psychology Department at Columbia has a fixed minimum score. So, I would certainly write to the Art History Department and confirm.

Edited October 19, 2013 by Seeking