150 Math, good enough for top-tier English programs?

[davidipse]

Hello.

 

Verbal: 168

Math: 150 (I know)

GPA: 3.8

 

I think everything else (e.g. letters, statement, research experience) is in excellent shape. I really want to get into either Yale's or Harvard's English PhD program, not because they are "the top ivies" but because my favorite critics teach there. So I think there is a great fit too, for either.

 

Should I retake the GRE? Will my current math score really lower my chances?

 

Or should I concentrate on honing the rest of the application. If I decide to retake the GRE, it will have to be within less than a month, and I'd have to spend a lot of time practicing math (my issue is mostly speed). This would mean I would have relatively little time to devote to revising and revising my personal statements and writing sample. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure my math score would increase substantially.

 

The other school I'd like to go to that's very selective are UC Berkeley. The rest of my choices I think could be considered safe, whatever that means. I only want to retake if the current low score will seriously spoil my chances. Otherwise, both self and pockets are burnt out.

 

Any informed advice would be much and sincerely appreciated. Thanks! (really)

[semicolon2013]

I don't know what to tell you, except that I have the exact same GPA and verbal score as you and an even lower math score than you (148), and I am applying to Yale and Berkeley as well.  I am not retaking.  My impression from talking to profs and graduate program directors is that it won't "spoil" my chances by any stretch of the imagination, but that it is sometimes taken into account, but really more because of the graduate school than the department.  I am applying to 12 schools total, but I don't consider any PhD program to be "safe."  Where else are you applying besides those 3 schools?  What do you specialize in?

[semicolon2013]

Good luck to you too! (And I'm sure Derrida wouldn't hate you, as long as you keep an open mind).

[wandajune]

I would imagine that the quantitative score is probably one of the least important parts of the application. As long as there's no minimum requirement, I'm sure that programs will be able to look past it. BUT getting into a top tier school is difficult even with ideal scores, so make sure you're applying at some lower tier schools as well.

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

It seems, from the schools I've talked to such as Columbia, that the quantitative is not even looked at sometimes. Columbia basically said that you have to have a high verbal and the quant didn't matter. I'd suggest talking to the schools themselves and see what they say. But, damn, a 168 in verbal? That's awesome. I'm sure you'll be fine. At the very least apply and see what happens--they can't accept you if you don't give them the chance to do so.