Worried about my GRE scores

[thdus82]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm applying to PhD programs for Fall 2015.  I am awfully concerned about my GRE scores.  My stats are 152V 167Q 5.0W.  My verbal score is concerning.  I'm wondering how much of an obstacle that will be in my chances of admission. 

 

I'm applying to programs in urban ed policy (low income, financial aid to higher ed) and evaluation/measurement.  Other stats include econ undergrad (3.4/4.0), MS in education (4.0/4.0), secondary math teacher at a low-income inner city school (which sparked my research interests), research experience during grad school on a topic directly related to my interests.  My SOP talks about my research and professional experiences and why I feel passionate about the research topic.  1 professional and 2 academic LORs.  

 

Should I be really worried about my low verbal score and retake it?  Any thoughts?  Thanks!

Edited October 31, 2014 by thdus82

[tchrsquirrel]

Hi everyone,

I'm applying to PhD programs for Fall 2015. I am awfully concerned about my GRE scores. My stats are 152V 167Q 5.0W. My verbal score is concerning. I'm wondering how much of an obstacle that will be in my chances of admission.

I'm applying to programs in urban ed policy (low income, financial aid to higher ed) and evaluation/measurement. Other stats include econ undergrad (3.4/4.0), MS in education (4.0/4.0), secondary math teacher at a low-income inner city school (which sparked my research interests), research experience during grad school on a topic directly related to my interests. My SOP talks about my research and professional experiences and why I feel passionate about the research topic. 1 professional and 2 academic LORs.

Should I be really worried about my low verbal score and retake it? Any thoughts? Thanks!

[tchrsquirrel]

I've noticed quant scores tend to be low in Ed programs, so I wonder if your exceptionally high quant score would be attractive to a program (ie, harder to bolster their quant numbers than to bolster their verbal numbers)? Furthermore, you have a solid writing score, so you clearly have a grasp of vocabulary and writing. I would think that a PhD program, in particular, would be thrilled to see strong quant numbers because getting a PhD is research/stats-heavy. Frankly, I'd be thrilled with your numbers, but I certainly don't blame you for asking the question!

[thdus82]

Thanks everyone!  I actually went ahead and retook the test and ended up with V160 Q167 W5.5.  Now time to finalize my SOP!  Good luck everyone!