Deciding which score to use. M.S. Engineering

[bme123]

Hey everyone,

I would appreciate if anyone has any input about choosing which score to use for applications.

1st score: 1190 (780Q, 410V, 5.5 AW)

2nd score: 1270 (720Q, 550V)

I am applying to a Master's for Biomedical Engineering at Cornell U, Columbia U, and Rutgers U.

Realistically, are these scores good enough as long as I have a competitive GPA, letters, and research experience?

I am also not sure which score is *better* to use for engineering. I have heard that engineering cares more about Quantitative, but is that still true with such a low Verbal score of 410?

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[LateAntique]

According to ETS's website, they will automatically send all scores whenever you order them.

[bme123]

According to ETS's website, they will automatically send all scores whenever you order them.

Hi. I understand that, but I'm specifically talking about the graduate school applications. They allow you to enter one test date for GRE's with your scores corresponding to that test date. So I have to decide which scores would work better.

[modernity]

Hi. I understand that, but I'm specifically talking about the graduate school applications. They allow you to enter one test date for GRE's with your scores corresponding to that test date. So I have to decide which scores would work better.

I would use the most recent, because the more recent one may be more relevant and many schools take only the more recent score (or a combination of the two). They'll see the higher Q when you send them in through ETS anyway.

However, it is my understanding that you have to have a high Q for engineering so if you're worried about making some sort of cut off on the Q I would send in that one.

This is probably not a ton of help, though, as I am sure you had similar thoughts.

[SuddenlyParanoid]

I would use the one with the higher quantitative. The scores on that section are so compressed that a 780 is an 89th percentile and a 720 is 75th, which is a huge drop and I would think that would hurt more for engineering. As long as you have something that shows you can speak and read English (SOP, writing sample, high TOEFL, American BA) I would emphasize your math ability.

[SuddenlyParanoid]

Double post, sorry.

Edited December 28, 2009 by SuddenlyParanoid

[profound_g]

I too don't think it's up to you. The schools would receive both scores, and if you don't list the most recent one, that might work against you. On the other hand, since they will see both, they can use the higher Q if they want to.