GRE Scores

[The Pedanticist]

Anyone know what the average GRE scores are for those accepted to communication programs?  I've seen lists at Northwestern and Minnesota, but not anywhere else.  The ETS website doesn't list communication as a separate discipline so there aren't any averages on that list.  

 

Also does anyone have a good idea how important GRE scores are in the application process?

[lyrehc]

It depends on the program.  I'm at the University of Oklahoma and my department wanted students with a combined score of at least 300.  Those below that number were second tier (or lower).  I can't answer for other programs because I made the decision to only apply to OU, but letters of recommendation, grades at the master's level, and how well the department assessed the fit of potential students were big components in their decision-making process.  For example, we don't have any faculty who do rhetoric so students who have rhetoric as a focus were much less likely to be offered a spot in the program than those who focus on political communication (we have amazing poli comm faculty), intercultural, social influence/persuasion, or organizational comm.

 

Have you looked at the NCA web site?  They have a ton of information about doctoral programs and requirements listed.

[The Pedanticist]

It depends on the program.  I'm at the University of Oklahoma and my department wanted students with a combined score of at least 300.  Those below that number were second tier (or lower).  I can't answer for other programs because I made the decision to only apply to OU, but letters of recommendation, grades at the master's level, and how well the department assessed the fit of potential students were big components in their decision-making process.  For example, we don't have any faculty who do rhetoric so students who have rhetoric as a focus were much less likely to be offered a spot in the program than those who focus on political communication (we have amazing poli comm faculty), intercultural, social influence/persuasion, or organizational comm.

 

Have you looked at the NCA web site?  They have a ton of information about doctoral programs and requirements listed.

 

Thanks.  I have looked at the NCA website.  Some of the statistics that might be helpful are in the subscription only section.  It seems like big 10 schools provide the best reporting of statistics (esp. Northwestern, Minnesota and Wisconsin.)

 

I'm interested in phil of comm and rhetoric mostly, so sadly OU will not be on my list. 

[VioletAyame]

You can also look at the result page and track acceptances from the programs you're interested in during the last few years. Some people also reported their GPA & GRE score when reporting acceptances, so you can get a tentative guideline out of those submissions.

[lyrehc]

Thanks.  I have looked at the NCA website.  Some of the statistics that might be helpful are in the subscription only section.  It seems like big 10 schools provide the best reporting of statistics (esp. Northwestern, Minnesota and Wisconsin.)

 

I'm interested in phil of comm and rhetoric mostly, so sadly OU will not be on my list. 

If it's not already on your list you might want to consider University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  My husband's mentor (Dr. William Keith) is there and he LOVES both of your interests.  We often joke that even those who aren't rhetors or interested in philosophy will join that dark side after a 30 minute conversation with Bill. 

[The Pedanticist]

If it's not already on your list you might want to consider University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  My husband's mentor (Dr. William Keith) is there and he LOVES both of your interests.  We often joke that even those who aren't rhetors or interested in philosophy will join that dark side after a 30 minute conversation with Bill. 

 

Will look into it.  Are the Comm and English departments close at UW-M?  

[lyrehc]

I don't know but I'll try to find out.  I know he made the switch in departments recently.

[lyrehc]

I did some checking and it sounds like the two departments do not have great relationships.

[The Pedanticist]

I did some checking and it sounds like the two departments do not have great relationships.

 

That's too bad.  It would seem odd for one department too poach from another.

[CommPhD20]

I would say most programs view the GRE as among the least important aspects of your application. So long as it isn't alarmingly low, it's unlikely to be something that is thought about at all. The main possible exception is when the school is seeking funding for you from the graduate school itself (as they would for fellowship funding) as the administrators tend to be more GRE-oriented.

[TheRufus]

One handy thing I used for my school research was the National Communication Association's survey of doctoral programs in the United States. They have a general list of schools and their information here: http://www.natcom.org/DoctoralProgramGuide/

 

You can see some of the more in depth discussion of the results here: http://www.natcom.org/uploadedFiles/More_Scholarly_Resources/Chairs_Corner/Doctoral_Chairs_Section/PDF-DoctoralChairs-A_Study_of_the_Reputations_of_Doctoral_Programs_in_Communication_2004.pdf

and here: http://www.natcom.org/uploadedFiles/More_Scholarly_Resources/Assessing%20Doctoral%20Program%20Quality%20Report.pdf

 

And you can download an Excel spreadsheet with all the results for sorting and filtering here: http://www.nap.edu/rdp/

 

I used the Excel tables to sort for program reputation, GRE/GPA scores, percent of students with funding/full funding, geographic location, and based on my subspecialty (policomm). The GRE scores were old (on the 800-point scale instead of the 170-point scale for each subject) but you can just convert them using the ETS concordance tables (https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/concordance_information.pdf). Many programs also post data about last year's admitted students on their web sites, including mean GPA, GRE scores, etc. The super helpful ones give you a range of scores, which is more helpful than just the averages (if you fall at the bottom of the range you MAY get in but have less of a chance, middle of the range is a solid chance, high range is a much better chance). These don't seem to change much from year to year so 10- and 15-year old data isn't necessarily out of date. Also check out http://www.gradschools.com/ for this data (though I found it less complete than NCA data).

 

Keep in mind a few things: 

1) GRE scores are more for sorting out really bad candidates than anything, and all scores may not matter. I got a near perfect on the verbal (169) and around the 75th percentile on the quantitative (159). Almost everyone in my new cohort scored very high on the verbal, but when I told them I got 75th percentile on the quant they were surprised and some admitted they got 25th percentile or so. I tend to lean quant in my research methods so it's good I have a higher quant score, but it wasn't required for my program. So quant may not be relevant to you depending on your program and specialty (see school specific data). Quant was what I studied for the most too, and I probably didn't need to.

2) GRE scores are just one piece of the puzzle. Great GRE scores don't get you in, they just keep you from getting thrown out. What's more important is program fit and faculty fit and your personal statement. So don't overfocus on it...don't neglect it, but don't give it a weight it doesn't deserve.

3) If you want a good gauge of your possible GRE scores, go download the free GRE Practice Test software from ETS. It has two free practice tests; take one right away for an estimate of where you are now, then use other materials (like the books and tests from Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc.) for studying, and then take the second free official practice test like 1 week before you take the actual GRE, and you'll have a really good idea of what your potential score is. 

 

Good luck!

[The Pedanticist]

One handy thing I used for my school research was the National Communication Association's survey of doctoral programs in the United States. They have a general list of schools and their information here: http://www.natcom.org/DoctoralProgramGuide/

 

You can see some of the more in depth discussion of the results here: http://www.natcom.org/uploadedFiles/More_Scholarly_Resources/Chairs_Corner/Doctoral_Chairs_Section/PDF-DoctoralChairs-A_Study_of_the_Reputations_of_Doctoral_Programs_in_Communication_2004.pdf

and here: http://www.natcom.org/uploadedFiles/More_Scholarly_Resources/Assessing%20Doctoral%20Program%20Quality%20Report.pdf

 

And you can download an Excel spreadsheet with all the results for sorting and filtering here: http://www.nap.edu/rdp/

 

I used the Excel tables to sort for program reputation, GRE/GPA scores, percent of students with funding/full funding, geographic location, and based on my subspecialty (policomm). The GRE scores were old (on the 800-point scale instead of the 170-point scale for each subject) but you can just convert them using the ETS concordance tables (https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/concordance_information.pdf). Many programs also post data about last year's admitted students on their web sites, including mean GPA, GRE scores, etc. The super helpful ones give you a range of scores, which is more helpful than just the averages (if you fall at the bottom of the range you MAY get in but have less of a chance, middle of the range is a solid chance, high range is a much better chance). These don't seem to change much from year to year so 10- and 15-year old data isn't necessarily out of date. Also check out http://www.gradschools.com/ for this data (though I found it less complete than NCA data).

 

Keep in mind a few things: 

1) GRE scores are more for sorting out really bad candidates than anything, and all scores may not matter. I got a near perfect on the verbal (169) and around the 75th percentile on the quantitative (159). Almost everyone in my new cohort scored very high on the verbal, but when I told them I got 75th percentile on the quant they were surprised and some admitted they got 25th percentile or so. I tend to lean quant in my research methods so it's good I have a higher quant score, but it wasn't required for my program. So quant may not be relevant to you depending on your program and specialty (see school specific data). Quant was what I studied for the most too, and I probably didn't need to.

2) GRE scores are just one piece of the puzzle. Great GRE scores don't get you in, they just keep you from getting thrown out. What's more important is program fit and faculty fit and your personal statement. So don't overfocus on it...don't neglect it, but don't give it a weight it doesn't deserve.

3) If you want a good gauge of your possible GRE scores, go download the free GRE Practice Test software from ETS. It has two free practice tests; take one right away for an estimate of where you are now, then use other materials (like the books and tests from Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc.) for studying, and then take the second free official practice test like 1 week before you take the actual GRE, and you'll have a really good idea of what your potential score is. 

 

Good luck!

 

This was super helpful!  Thanks!

[CommPhD20]

For those interested in more up-to-date ranking-oriented information, the most recent citation-based rankings were published here (page 55 and onward)

[jujubea]

Most of the GRE requirements scores I've seen simply say, combined score at least 300, sometimes 302.  

[The Pedanticist]

Quick question.  I recently took the GRE again and scored significantly higher in the quantitative and verbal sections, but don't yet know my analytic score.  Since I'm applying to a number of places on Dec. 1 I need to send my scores out right away.  Would you recommend that I send both my newer score, with the higher quant and verbal scores, and the one with high analytic or just my newer score?  

[lyrehc]

If the scores will be there in time I would send both as long as the locations will take them.