Should I retake the GRE?

[Dash1903]

Hi, I'm Dana and I'm new here! 

I'm planning to apply for 2015 (fall) for PhD (clinical program) in California area as an international student (I'm from Israel).

I took the GRE two weeks ago and can't decide whether I should take the test again! 

My scores are 160 V, 161 Q and 3.5 AWA.

My GPA in psychology is 3.7 (also studied communication and got 3.5), have good recommendations and have been working in a lab for the last two years.

A consultant I talked to claimed that a verbal score under 162 is too low for clinical programs... It sounds crazy, especially for international students, to get such score..! 

It will be great if someone can give me an advice... Should I retake the test?

Thank you!

 

[aphdapplicant]

That score will be good enough for most applicant pools. I'd focus on finding POIs with a good fit and writing a very good SOP.

[QASP]

A 160 verbal is not going to hold you back, though the 3.5 AW score would be a problem for some, depending on a POI's feelings about that (some don't look at the AW score at all). Also, there are very few clinical psychology PhD programs in California and they are all extremely competitive due to the desirability of that area. If you are serious about getting in somewhere, you will have to apply to schools outside of that area as well.

[hj2012]

It really depends. Admissions consultants will advise you to get scores above the median at your target schools so that you're in line with the competition. This means bumping up your verbal score a few points, and hopefully doing a little better on the AW as well. That said, I don't think the V score will be a dealbreaker, but if you have other inconsistencies in your application (poor grades or a low TOEFL score, for example), a good GRE score can help offset that.

 

I also must echo QASP: the competition is very, very, very stiff at the California schools, and it's even MORE difficult for international students. I strongly advise you to broaden your search.

[Domino]

I'd suggest retaking the GREs, simply because it's something within your control that you can improve on.  And I believe the GREs now let you choose which test scores to submit to your school, so if you don't end up doing any better you can just ignore them.  It's basically a risk-free option to possibly make you a better candidate, so I say do it.  You don't want to be wondering later on if that was the one factor holding you back.  Good luck!!

[nixy]

My combined score is the same as yours (161 V, 160 Q, 4 AWA) and I am just wondering the same thing. Admission to the top doctoral programs in social psychology appears to be quite competitive as well.

[clinicalpsychphd20]

I would retake - not because of your verbal score but because of the AWA. 3.5 is way too low for Clinical Psych IMO. Try to get above a 4.0 

[dbrainiak914]

I too would retake.  Even if your application is otherwise very strong, then that introduces thoughts of "why didn't this seemingly great applicant try a little harder for solid scores" in faculty reading your application.  It's a matter of $180 and two months of moderate studying.

[personalityresearcher]

My combined score is the same as yours (161 V, 160 Q, 4 AWA) and I am just wondering the same thing. Admission to the top doctoral programs in social psychology appears to be quite competitive as well.

My friend got into a top social program with about that score. If it were top clinical programs, I think there'd be more to be concerned about.