Am I Doomed?

[Raccount]

Long time lurker, first time poster so please tell me if this post doesn't belong in this forum 

Just for some background info: I'm currently a senior at Indiana University with a 3.81 GPA. Since some school look at your last 60 credit hours for your  I'll include that which would be a 4.0. I'm a history major and triple minor in folklore/ethnomusicology, sociology and music in general studies. I've worked for the Jacobs School in the past and am currently an intern with the Kinsey Institute. 

I would really love to stay at Indiana University for my graduate studies in American History and it's my top choice. However, I am very nervous about getting in. I have other schools that I'm applying to of course but if IU would take me I'd be eternally grateful. (Any other schools you think I might be a good candidate for?) That being said..... 

I took the GRE last week and received a 157 on Verbal, 148 on Quantitative ( not great i know but they say if you're an intended field is in the humanities your math scores don't factor in as much) and a 4.5 on the analytical writing. On the old scoring system this would have been an 1160. I also looked up the average scores for US History grad students and I'm right on average. However, after seeing some other scores on here I feel like the village idiot but I digress.  So, what I am asking is are these scores alright and should I worry with taking the test again? I mean I really don't relish the idea of dishing out 200 dollars to take it again but I would absolutely do so if necessary.  Also, does IU have a set GRE score minimum or is it more vague than that? Should I contact admissions and ask if my scores would deter me from applying?

Edited October 6, 2015 by rhiannonsdreams

[TMP]

While it's understandably that you'd like to stay at Indiana and it does have a nice program, having all three degrees (BA, MA, and PhD) from one institution won't make you a well-rounded scholar.  You'll need to consider other programs if you want to be competitive on the academic job market.  However, if you aren't interested in becoming a professor, then YMMV.

Focus on your writing sample and statement of purpose and keep talking to your professors at IU.  Numbers only tell so much about an applicant.

[stillalivetui]

What particular themes or topics are you interested in American History? This would help you tremendously in narrowing down programs to apply to. 

[ToomuchLes]

You should find a prof in the dept that best aligns with your research interests. Talk to him/her about the program, whether its advisable to attend the same school for grad school (some believe academic incest is a big nono), if theyre accepting grad students, and any additional questions you have about the program. Email them, dont show up at their office.

I wouldn't stress too much about the GRE though. The essays and "fit" is much more important. And if you're worried about your GPA, dont be; its fine