Should I mention physics gre in application?

[uncreativeaccountname]

I originally intended to go to a physics program so I took the physics gre, but now I'm applying to statistics programs. My score was in like the 45 percentile, so it would probably hurt anyway, yet it would be a good benefit to have the test score to be of good use. Has anyone else encountered a similar situation?

[fuzzylogician]

I'm not sure I see how a physics GRE score will help you gain admissions to a statistics program. The score isn't that great and the field isn't relevant. Moreover, the fact that you studied physics (in general) should be evident from your transcripts alone. I don't think you need to add more information about this, unless you can show how it makes you a better candidate for the programs you are currently interested in. 

[TakeruK]

My score was in like the 45 percentile, so it would probably hurt anyway, yet it would be a good benefit to have the test score to be of good use. 

I don't understand what you mean by the benefit here. I don't see any benefit to including a Physics GRE score to a statistics program, even if you had scored very highly on the Physics GRE. 

And I agree with fuzzy that 45th percentile is not a very impressive score. (I scored 44th percentile first attempt, then 52nd percentile the second time). I applied to astronomy and planetary science programs. The former requested PGRE scores and some programs in the latter group did not. I did not report my scores when it was "optional" (but did if it was "required" or "recommended"). Fortunately, as these programs are not directly physics programs, I don't think my middle-of-the-pack scores made a big difference. However, in you case, if you do not need to report your Physics GRE score to a non-physics-related program, then do not report it. I don't think it will provide any benefit to you.

[uncreativeaccountname]

All right, thank you for the feedback. It makes sense. I won't report it.

Edited September 6, 2015 by uncreativeaccountname

[littlemoondragon]

Hi, I know I'm late, and I am echoing what the other two posters said. But, I also switched from physics to statistics. I didn't report my physics GRE and the places I applied to never asked me. The statistics program was happy that I had previous research experience (all physics), which was more than the average statistics applicant.