low AWA score?? Is it big problem..

[sing8013]

Hi folks,

I'm a working chemical engineer with

M.S. from mediocre US university (GPA -3.84), 2005

B.E. from reputed institute in India (7.36/10), 1998

4 research + 1 industrial publication

* One paper got awarded.

several other conference papers + presentations

plus good and diverse experience (4 yrs) in design, research and operations with chemical processes (mainly biofuels)

pursuing for PhD (ChemE) from one of the top university is my long-lasting wish...

Ok..here is the problem,

I recently appeared for GRE (as my old GRE were scores were expired, > 5yr)

-- without much preparation especially without any prep in AWA

Q: 800

V:560

AWA: 3.0 (I can't believe I got that low of score)

Do you think can this low AWA score would disqualify me or make acceptance chances very dim?? or would you advise me to retake the GRE.

With my profile, Do I stand a chance in top 10 schools?/ how about...

- UC Berkeley

- U Minnesota

- Rice U

- Princeton

Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated...

[Mehedi Hasan]

Your GRE score is not that fantastic, to be frank. Some many universities specify AWA 4.0 as requirement (my own awa is 3.5, btw). Your GPA is good.

You can definitely try into top 20 because of your research experience and MS degree. Contact with professors of your choice for funds. If fund doesn't matter then hit couple of top 5.

[arunkumar]

Since your GRE score is good you surely have a chance to get into top 15 schools..