Would there be any chance with my gre score?

[lalalalovesong]

I'm applying for 2016 fall 

and I have my gre scores 151(v) 163(q) 3(w).

I already submitted my application with those scores, but I feel very nervous because of such a low gre.

 Would there be any chance to get admission from top schools? (I.e. top 10)

[Mrs A.K.]

If it makes you feel any better, my quantitative score was pretty low too.  I'm banking on my high verbal and writing to do the trick.  

However, I'm only applying to one top 10 school, the other schools I'm applying to are highly ranked but not top 10.  I think you'd have better luck with those 

(and you won't have to die in debt.)

 

[cooperstreet]

All other things equal, the marginal effect of a 151 verbal GRE score will make the chances of acceptance to a top 10 program very very low.

Edited November 20, 2015 by cooperstreet

[Determinedandnervous]

8 hours ago, cooperstreet said:

All other things equal, the marginal effect of a 151 verbal GRE score will make the chances of acceptance to a top 10 program very very low.

What would you say is a GRE score that makes you competitive for top programs? Or middling programs?

[GradSchoolTruther]

For top programs, I'm seeing median verbal scores at 165 and higher, while quantitative reasoning scores are generally 162 and higher.

 

[Mrs A.K.]

On 11/21/2015, 11:32:05, GradSchoolTruther said:

For top programs, I'm seeing median verbal scores at 165 and higher, while quantitative reasoning scores are generally 162 and higher.

 

Out of curiosity:  I managed to score a 165 on the verbal and a 5 on the essay.  My quant score was pretty low though (153), and I'm unsure if I'll have time to retake.  Applying to international affairs programs, which do involve statistics, is there any way for me to make up for a low quant score?  (Ie, if the rest of my application is really strong, will I still have the possibility of getting into a top school?)

[Determinedandnervous]

It's possible if the rest of your profile is exceptional, but you might want to apply to a few mid-tier schools as well to be safe. I know CU-Boulder's average GREs were 160V, 154Q for those admitted to the poli sci PhD program.

[cooperstreet]

47 minutes ago, Mrs A.K. said:

Out of curiosity:  I managed to score a 165 on the verbal and a 5 on the essay.  My quant score was pretty low though (153), and I'm unsure if I'll have time to retake.  Applying to international affairs programs, which do involve statistics, is there any way for me to make up for a low quant score?  (Ie, if the rest of my application is really strong, will I still have the possibility of getting into a top school?)

Its simply very unlikely that anyone with a 153 on the math portion of the GRE will get into a top (read: top 10 program). Its not really about 'making up in other areas', its that the adcom is operating under incomplete information and has a lot of candidates to pick from.

[Mrs A.K.]

Ok, thank you for your response.  I'm in the process of signing up to retake the GRE, so at least I know I'm taking the right action to make myself more eligible.

[Kosmosis707]

7 hours ago, Mrs A.K. said:

Out of curiosity:  I managed to score a 165 on the verbal and a 5 on the essay.  My quant score was pretty low though (153), and I'm unsure if I'll have time to retake.  Applying to international affairs programs, which do involve statistics, is there any way for me to make up for a low quant score?  (Ie, if the rest of my application is really strong, will I still have the possibility of getting into a top school?)

For MIA programs, you should definitely apply.  I had a Quant score of 147 and was offered admission to George Washington, American, and UC-San Diego.  I didn't apply to Georgetown or Johns Hopkins, so I'm unsure if that would have bounced me, but you can still get into some quality programs if the rest of your application is solid.

[GradSchoolTruther]

MIA programs also want your money.

[Mrs A.K.]

So, I retook the GRE, and while I brought up my quant score to 160, my qual went down to 161.  (I'm still not sure how I did on the writing.)  Should I send both sets of scores, so they take the best of each?  Or stick with one or the other?

Also, thank you for letting me know that some of the top programs took you with your quant score.  I'm not looking at those same programs (though I am looking at Johns Hopkins.)  I had a good GPA, Americorps experience, and lots of international travel experience.  I'm working on my own independent research at the moment, so while I haven't published anything, I feel like the rest of my application is pretty solid.