GRE test? Is taking it in October too late?

[SocPhDreamer]

Hi all....

 

I plan to take the GRE test (computer-based one) early in October...is it too late to call? Is it recommended for me to take earlier? Thanks!!

[VioletAyame]

I don't think it's terribly late (I took mine mid September). Just be prepared that if you need to retake the test, you'll have to wait about 2-3 weeks (if I remember correctly) and it may push things well into November. On the other hand, deadline for test scores is something that programs can be lenient on, as long as they arrive before adcom meets.

[Gvh]

Most programs recommend that you allow 6 weeks for scores to reach the school before the deadline, so I think October is fine. I'm actually going to be taking it in October - you probably won't be able to retake if you have early december deadlines, but if you're okay with that there shouldn't be a problem.

[cultsoc]

Early October is fine. I took the GRE in mid-November back when I was applying although I wouldn't recommend taking it that late. Most programs have a grace period for GRE score deadlines and will accept unofficial scores until the final round of admission committee meetings. I know this because I was involved in the admissions process in my department last year. Good luck.

Edited August 2, 2014 by cultsoc

[peachypie]

You'll be fine.  I took mine in mid-November as well given I wasn't concerned about my scores since I knew from practice tests that I was going to score competitively so I went in with the knowledge I would not be re-taking it.  All my scores got in on time or early.  It won't take 6 weeks to go from ETS to school at the latest for all of my schools they got my scores within 2 weeks and most were within a week of my requesting the score report.  If you take it in October you'd even have time to retake the test and get them out in time assuming your earliest deadline are in December.  Good Luck!

[Crucial BBQ]

Even if your deadline [application] was Dec. 1, taking the GRE on October 31 would still be enough time.  You get your raw score at the end of the test anyways (except for AW).  I had a classmate who took it in October then retook it again in November.  

[lyrehc]

Definitely plenty of time.  I took mine in late-November and had the scores by the February 1 application deadline.

[SocPhDreamer]

Thanks everyone for sharing your insight!!!! Kind of freaking out >_< things are getting REALLLLLL...way too quick.

[breaks0]

I have a follow up question on the GRE, which may be repeating issues that have been previously addressed. I am actually reapplying to programs this fall after only getting 1 unfunded offer last Spring (Binghamton), which  I had to turn down for financial reasons. My concern is my quant score, which is simply terrible since I'm not good at math and have a phobia toward it. My scores: Q: 630 (41% last I checked) V: 740 (94% roughly) and A: 5.5 (97-99%). I am reapplying to Binghamton, Berkeley, Johns Hopkins and possibly NYU (unsure) and CUNY (either sociology or polisci). I'm also tentatively applying to Santa Barbara, Davis, Oregon and Stanford. I may add one or 2 more, am still researching.  My interests broadly defined are sociology of class conflict/Marxism, Chindia and political sociology. I would like to use primarily qualitative methods in my future research, but perhaps secondarily some quant ones if it helps w/getting in w/full funding to one or more of these schools. I aced Stats 1 in my master's program at another private school in NY where I earned an MA in polisci, the only methods class I took in that program (now wishing I'd also taken ethnography or some qual methods course). My MA GPA was 3.86, but my resume is quite weak on the work experience side. I do, however, have 1 published paper in a foreign academic journal and have pretty sharply defined research interests and know who I'd like to work with at the schools I'm applying to. I am also basically ruling out foreign programs, since I keep hearing from several professors I've met in the US and abroad in my subfield that old boys networks still govern alot of admissions decisions and post-phd job prospects.

 

I guess my main questions are given that info, do I need to retake the GRE? Secondly, given my rather poor financial situation if it is necessary, is there a way to get a fee waver? This is basically a gap year and I can  take the GRE again, but for various reasons would of course prefer not to, if possible. But of course whatever gets me in somewhere funded in  about 6 months time would be worth it in the long run.

Edited August 8, 2014 by breaks0

[cultsoc]

Your V and AWA are more than enough to get you through the door. Your Q definitely needs improvement but I doubt it would keep you out if the rest of your application is impressive enough. I say retake the GRE and see if you can improve your Q. If your Q score doesn't improve then no harm done; go with the original scores.

 

I think you probably need to rethink some of the programs on your list. There are a few schools on there that are notorious for poor funding packages. Maybe the reason you were rejected last year had more to do with poor funding opportunities rather than your Q score alone?

 

Also, I know some programs offer application fee waivers for those who need it. Not sure about the GRE though. Have you tried contacting them?

[Maleficent999]

I took the GRE on October 19th and I was fine. But as others mentioned, if you decide to retake it you won't have much time.

[breaks0]

Thanks cult, appreciate your feedback. Yes, there were several other problems w/my apps last year. I will probably post other question on a diff thread in the future. Cheers.