Quick thoughts on retaking the GRE

[urbanac]

I'm interested in applying for political science (particularly poli theory, or IR) programs at the end of next year. I'm really aiming for a top 5 program- if I'm going to spend 5-7 years somewhere, I want it to be the best program I can get into. 

 

Just took the GRE and scores were:

 

159(quant)

168 (verbal) 

 

All I want to know (and I realize "know" is a tough word here) is it worth retaking the GRE to bring that quant score up? I know the GRE doesn't necessarily qualify you for schools like the LSAT does, but would that quant score hurt my chances at a top program? 

 

Thoughts are greatly appreciated. 

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

I don't think your GRE scores will play a role in keeping you out of anywhere. I think it's up to the rest of your application with the scores you've got there. I'm certainly jealous.

[dworkable]

There are top-5 (top-7?) schools where, I can tell you from experience, they do not factor GRE scores in at all. There are others where they might use them as a metric, especially to cut the bottom of the pack, but I would still think that your scores would not get you cut. Also, in political theory/qualitative IR, your SOP and other points of application will likely matter much more than your GRE quant score. It's hard to let your applications go without a "perfect" score, but really, you should be fine.

[upam]

IF you're applying at the end of next year and you actually have the time and genuinely believe you can increase your quant score while actually holding on to a verbal score of that level, of course it can't hurt. But this time may be spent better having a spectacular writing sample, submitting articles for publication, doing research with professors.... etc etc etc. I see it relatively unlikely to keep you out of consideration except perhaps at Stanford.