Should I retake the GRE?

[jxu]

V:155 Q:162 W:4.5

 

I feel like my V is too low for top programs. I want to apply to CMU, Stanford, and MIT for their design/HCI masters programs. 

 

I'm currently a Computer Science major and my gpa is 3.2.

And I've had 3 internships, won hackathons at my respective internships, been involved with the student body at my college, and won many awards that have to do with a start-up I've co-founded. I'm looking to get letters of recommendations from mentors I've made through the competitions I've entered and won, my internship mentor, and a professor who invites me to speak in his class quarter after quarter. I don't plan to take any GRE subject tests. 

 

I just want to know if it's worth taking the time to review and improve my verbal score and practice some more so I don't make idiot mistakes on the quant section.

 

Thank you!

[GREMasterEMPOWERRichC]

Hi jxu,

 

Have you researched the individual Schools that you're interested in? The websites from each of these Schools will likely give you a better sense of how competitive your GRE score is (and how it compares to the average score, median score, etc. for incoming classes).

 

At face value, these scores are likely 'in range' of the Schools you named. If your overall profile is strong AND you present yourself correctly, then you might have a strong enough GRE score right now to receive an invitation to any (or all) of those Schools. If you decide that you do want to retest, then you should post back here and we can talk through your options.

 

GRE Masters aren't born, they're made,

Rich

[jxu]

Thanks for the reply! My verbal score really bothers me, so yes, I do want to retake it. :'(

[GREMasterEMPOWERRichC]

Hi jxu,

 

What application deadlines are you facing? 

When would you want to retake the GRE?

 

GRE Masters aren't born, they're made,

Rich