Should I retake the GRE for my MFA creative writing apps?

[biloute]

I took the test this November and got my final scores today. I knew verbal wasn't bad (164) but quantitative was only 149 and my writing was a horrendous 3 (I didn't go over the instructions for this part and thought I was running out of time because it said it was question 1/2, so didn't write much for the first part).

 

I'm applying to creative writing programs, which are VERY competitive. They say the most important part of the application is the writing sample, and after that would probably be the personal statement and letters of recommendation. The GRE is only required by some programs, but for others it might be required for a teaching assistantship (which I need). Should I spend another $200 and retake the test to be safe? At least hopefully safe. Or should I just stick with the scores as they are? I'm not too worried about the quantitative, even though it's bad. I'm just concerned about that writing score.

[janaca]

In most programs, creative writing faculty do not care about your GRE scores at all. I'm in a top-20 CW program right now, and I know for a fact that the ad coms don't care about GRE's here, from friends who have worked in the office here during admissions time. The only time GRE scores matter in CW is when you're below the university-wide GRE "floor" or when you have an amazing score and can qualify for a university-sponsored fellowship. That said, if you really want to be safe, I guess you might want to contact the schools and/or try to find out the university-wide minimums, to make sure that the 3 on the AWA isn't going to be a problem. I highly doubt it would be, but I guess you never know. Some schools might be weird.

Edited November 25, 2014 by janaca