Can anyone offer some admissions protocol advice for an international student?

[carlu438]

Hi, I'm an international student and just got my GRE scores back today. Verbal- 162, Analytical writing- 5.0 and quantitative- 145. My quantitative score has been pretty crushing for me as I tested higher in practice tests, however, I have not taken math in 8 years and due to the conditions of a scholarship I've applied for, I was only left with three weeks notice to study for the GRE.

 

I'm applying to masters programmes for Fall 2014, the head of department and my preferred supervisor from my top chocie department have been in contact with me personally saying they would be thrilled to have me which has now put me in an awkward position.

 

Is it a good idea to contact my potential supervisor ASAP and try to explain the bad score? I've taken several mixed methods and demographics papers at university and received decent marks. As I'm working fulltime at the moment and where I come from we only have limited amounts of GRE tests a year and the last one for the year has already been so I can't retake. if anyone has any advice please help! I'm so crushed at this point I don't know what to do.

[Seeking]

Sociology is a Quant-intensive discipline, unless you want to do purely theoretical criticism. Still, in a Masters program you may have to take Quant-intensive courses.

 

But if you have taken Quant-intensive courses before and done very well in those courses, you can draw attention in your personal statement to your performance in these courses. At the same time, you can also ask your potential advisor if a low GRE-Quant will be a hindrance in your admission. You can also tell them that you are registering for a re-take of GRE and will take it as soon as the next test becomes available to you.

Edited November 11, 2013 by Seeking

[Karl32]

A MS/MA sociology program does not matter

[carlu438]

Umm... Care to elaborate by "does not matter"?

[gilbertrollins]

I think what Karl32 means is that MA/MS degrees in sociology are very low value for private industry and public work, and that unless you complete rather astonishing work at one of the programs, they're not a great portfolio booster for upper tier programs either.  

 

I think *very* briefly mentioning that you had insufficient time to prepare for the quant GRE because of the exigencies of your work life and country of origin is appropriate in your SOP.  One sentence.  Two tops.  Anything more and you're getting into falling-over-yourself excuse making and just make the situation worse.  Ultimately I don't think it will be a huge problem.  Good luck. 

[carlu438]

Thanks for the clarification Gilbertrollins, as someone who is already happily employed utilising my specialisation, I'm going to respectfully disagree with Karl32. I ended up explaining that whilst I was unsatisfied with my mark I am unable to resit the exam before the admissions deadline as there are no more GRE tests offered in my area before the cut off date and to refer to my academic transcript for previous mixed methods/quantitative research marks which were in the A-/A range. Thought it was best to not make excuses for performing badly and instead draw attention to my previous academic experience with quantitative. All a bit ridiculous really, I want to conduct qualitative research anyway haha.