164- Quant, 168- Verbal, looking to get into top 10 Chemistry programs- is this viable?

[epinephrine]

My quant score is especially disappointing- I expected a near-full score on the basis of both practice and the fact that I was reasonably confident in the exam itself. I don't want to retake because of how expensive it is for me, but I really am aiming for top-10. Specifically aiming for Stanford and Columbia U, but others too. Do you think it is a satisfactory score, or will the Quant score affect my application badly?

 

Thanks

P.S. Foreign student!

[loftyweasel]

those are perfectly good scores - great in fact. Differences of a few points are usually due to luck-based scenarios on the day of the test. Dont bother spending more money to get your score up a few points - at your level any increase won't be a deal breaker. 

 

[kimchijajonshim]

http://magoosh.com/gre/2013/stanford-gre-scores/

 

Stanford Chemistry Projected Average Ranges

Verb: 162-166

Quant: 161-165

 

I would not retake it. Even if your scores are disappointing you're well within the ranges, you're at a point of diminishing returns. If you're going to get in, you'll get in. If you're not going to get in, getting a few extra points on the GRE (unless you score straight 170s with a 6) are probably not going to affect much either.

[geographyrocks]

Are you freaking kidding me?

I know people harp on perfect scores, but they don't really mean much.  You have top 10 scores.  What you should be worring about is research experience and fit.