Asking for exemption from GRE

[med latte]

After 3 months of studying and a very poor performance on the GRE, I discovered that the department I am applying to may waive the GRE requirement for some students. Huh. Sure wish I could get my money and the last 3 months of my life back. 

I asked about the potential for a waiver when I saw some other universities offer it for "older" applicants with a strong relevant background. I'm 39, been in my field for 15 years, got my MA ten years ago (3.5 GPA), am currently taking classes in the program I will apply to (4.0) and will present a paper at a conference later this year. Just don't ask me to do algebra or geometry.

Does anyone have any experience writing such a letter? I'm stuck on wording. Trying to find the right tone. 

[columbia09]

I had a similar situation. I just wrote a short essay that my GRE score does not reflect my abilities to do well in grad school. Someone from one of the departments said that it might help in the application process 

[med latte]

I'm thinking of a slightly different scenario. I was told to draft a letter to the committee asking for exemption of the GRE requirement - not sending in scores at all. 

[columbia09]

I'm thinking of a slightly different scenario. I was told to draft a letter to the committee asking for exemption of the GRE requirement - not sending in scores at all. 

I don't think you could do that. If they're required you gotta send them 

[Vene]

Typically the GRE is required by the graduate college, so the program is forced to require them and may not have the authority to waive them.

[med latte]

It depends on the university. In some places the program/dept. has stronger authority in admissions than the grad school, and the GRE requirement can be waived by the program/dept. This is the case in the program I am applying to, and I'm told it is becoming a more frequent practice, especially for nontraditional students.  

I've already received confirmation that this is done in the program I am applying to. The Director of the PhD program told me to draft a letter to the AdCom asking that the requirement be waived. I started this thread to ask if anyone else has written a letter asking for a waiver. I'm looking for some help with writer's block.

Thanks.