GRE Scores Back.. Strange

[J. R., MPPA]

Applying for Masters in Public Policy programs at American University, George Washington and George Mason

Upper division GPA 3.71

cumulative GPA 3.36 (This covers classes from 1995 to today)  I'm old (36).  I started back in college after a break between 2006-2012.  Grades back then were no great shakes, but my last ~60 semester units have been all A's, two B+s and a C.

 

Personal statement is pretty strong.  Disabled veteran, lots of personal challenges.  Reviewed by multiple profs and they all liked it.  Multiple STRONG lor's.  Also have a very specific field of policy I want to get into.  Health Policy/FDA approval processes in regards to durable medical equipment.

 

So here's the odd part. 

 

I took my GRE back in October of 2013.. 159 V 156 Q (the kicker) 3 AW.  I showed this to the MPP grad advisor on my campus and she said my verbal score does not match up with my AW score.  Chalked it up to a bad day and said that my writing sample coupled with my verbal score should counter the abysmal AW.

 

I decided not to take the GRE again and I think I have a valid reason.. what if I score low on AW again?  It would be harder to explain it away. 

 

Figured even though Masters programs usually don't require writing samples, I'd attach them anyways.. figured it wouldn't hurt.

 

That's where I'm at.. just waiting on decisions

Edited January 19, 2014 by JackReeves

[guineu]

 

I took my GRE back in October of 2013.. 159 V 156 Q (the kicker) 3 AW.  I showed this to the MPP grad advisor on my campus and she said my verbal score does not match up with my AW score.  Chalked it up to a bad day and said that my writing sample coupled with my verbal score should counter the abysmal AW.

 

I find the notion that one's verbal score should "match" one's AW score rather odd. They are two different tests. My verbal scores on ETS tests have always been about 20 percentile points higher than my writing scores.

 

As a Master's in Public Policy student I imagine you'd be writing papers, and perhaps taking essay exams on material that you have studied. Neither of which is anything like a 30-minute GRE writing test on a random subject. A 3 is low, but you seem to be a native English speaker and if you can prove elsewhere that you have the necessary writing skills for the program, you should be fine (as long as there isn't a strict cutoff higher than your score).

 

Did you study for the writing test? I am a hopeless case with the issue essay, but I think studying definitely improved my score on the argument test. On a 6-point scale a .5 increase is worth a lot.

[myoranges]

I am in an even odder case. Well, I am not a native English speaker but my proficiency can be pretty darn close to native fluency, and I have always hated verbal section with such a great passion. I somehow managed to score high on writing for past two tests, in which I received 4.5 and 5.5, but my verbal scores always have been languishing (154 and 152). 

 

Don't worry, GRE is just a funny little test.

[Meanyus]

I suppose the biggest question is really whether or not the 3AW was due to a bad day. Did you feel the 3 represents your normal writing capabilities? If the answer is no, then I would consider taking the test again, getting up to a 5 would be a huge boon for your prospects, but even a 4 or 4.5 should be acceptable to a lot of places.

 

The reason I bring this up is that if your writing sample is strong enough to wash away the low AW writing score, then your writing is probably good enough to score higher on the test anyways.

[PeakPerformance]

Your reasoning for not taking the test again is weak. First, if you score a 3 again you don't need to submit the scores. Second, you need to know if you just had a bad day or if you really need to work on your writing before you get to grad school. A 3 on the AWA is definitely going to raise questions/doubts and give committee members reason to think twice about your candidacy. Why put yourself in this position when you're applying to schools where they will probably have a surplus of highly qualified candidates?

[J. R., MPPA]

Doesn't really matter. I got accepted to the PhD program I wanted. Don't need to worry about the GRE anymore lol!

[OCD or Perfection?]

Congratulations so excited for you!

[wisescience]

Congratulations!