GRE scores

[LordNorth]

Hi everyone, I'll apologise in advance because I know it must be quite tedious to see these same questions get asked again and again on these forums, but people wouldn't do it if they didn't find it useful, right?

I just took the GRE and got v700 q650, which was about what I expected from my diagnostic tests. I think I could probably improve those if I were to retake it, as I haven't been able to devote myself to the test over the past few months; if I took it again, I would have much more free time. However, I'd rather not. It's not guaranteed that I'll do better and, in any case, they'll see both sets of scores on the transcript...

Do you think my existing scores would handicap me applying to the following: UT-Austin, WUSTL, Georgetown, U Southern California? I'm right in assuming that I can forget about the top 3 schools yes?

I expect my LoRs, writing sample, SoP and grades to be strong; really, the GRE is the only thing that I think could let me down. I do not have a quant background (BA and MA from two UK universities, both humanities/social sciences) and would not be looking to focus on quant stuff in grad school, although I fully understand and am comfortable with the fact I'll have to do some as part of a US PhD.

Thanks in advance, please don't hesitate to let me know if you want me to elaborate on anything!

LN

[LordNorth]

Sorry, I didn't mention that my field is IR!

[StudentForever]

I'd say your verbal score is quite good. However, I'd be worried about your quantitative score. Because of the level of math on the GRE, a 600 isn't a particularly strong score. Even if you don't want to focus on quantitative methods, most Ph.D. programs require you take a decent amount of quant methods. I think an admissions committee would assume you might not be able to handle the methods sequence in a program because of your quant score. However, only you know all the aspects of your admissions profile.

Good luck!

[LordNorth]

Yeah, I know my quant score is quite shabby. Like I said, I don't have a quant background and, before starting my GRE prep, I hadn't even looked at a maths problem in over 8 years. When it came down to it, I suppose I just didn't dedicate the time and effort required to bring my score up to standard.

I think I might try again and work my socks off to get a 700+ score... I am confident that the rest of my profile is strong, but I suppose that if I have a chance of eliminating that one weakness, then I'd be stupid not to try my best to do so? I might not be able to improve it, but I think it's going to be worth a shot.

Thanks for your thoughts, anyway!

LN

[Penelope Higgins]

You'd of course benefit from improving that score, but if the rest of your record is as strong as you claim, the scores that you currently have put you in reasonable shape for the schools that you listed. Higher scores are always better (until you get over 750 or so) but you're not in bad shape as things currently stand...

[LordNorth]

Thanks Penelope, that's encouraging. And, I didn't mean to come across as being complacent about the rest of my profile. Whilst I can be reasonably confident in my abilities, the only thing I know for sure about this process is that it's damn competetive and there are a heck of a lot of well qualified candidates out there!