Are my GRE scores acceptable?

[plume]

I understand that no one can give me a definite answer, but if you have any experience to share please do!

I took the GRE today and my estimated score was 159 verbal and 149 quantitative. I expect to get a 4.5 - 5 (fingers crossed!) on AW. Clearly, my quant scores are not stellar. I am worried about attempting to cram in more studying with work and taking a class currently, and am wondering if anyone has any advice on whether I need to plan to retake it!

My issue is that my cumulative GPA is 3.3 due to some personal issues my first year of college. I've earned a 3.8 in my last 60 credits and was awarded a 3.73 from the institution I graduated from. I am an out-of-field applicant, and will be applying to post-baccs in case I do not get accepted into 3-year programs. I have great experience in the field.

Can anybody offer some advice? Do I need to retake the GRE? THANK YOU!

[Crimson Wife]

Look into taking the Miller Analogies Test as there's no quant section. There are a number of schools that will accept the MAT in lieu of the GRE. A strong score on the MAT will give you more options.

[plume]

Thanks Crimson Wife - I have never heard of that test. I will look into it!

[speechykourt]

I would say focus on school the rest of this semester and get grades that can bump up that gpa even a tiny bit and show that you're most recent work is awesome.  Also you need to think about how much time you'd study and if you think its realistic for your quant score to go up a significant amount in 21 days.  My professors have told me that verbal and written are most important, and yours look good.  However, I'd also think about the relevant work experience you have, letters of rec, your personal statement, and about the schools you are looking at.  My biggest advice would be to expand the schools you're applying to.  I'm not sure if you are applying to masters programs at the schools you listed or post-baccs, but for the masters programs, CU Boulder and U of the Pacific each get around 400 applications and only accept like 17%.  They are super competitive schools that super students still get rejected from.  If you're only applying to their post-baccs then ignore what I said.  However, I'd still apply to more than four and look at how competitive they are.  Use ASHA's edfind if you haven't http://www.asha.org/edfind/search.aspx !

[plume]

Thanks speechykourt! Yes, I have some very competitive schools on my list and plan to expand my school list, as I am applying to both 3-year programs and bost-baccs. (I live in Boulder currently and I wish CU wasn't so terribly competitive!) You bring up a good point about the GRE, and I think I'm sticking with my current scores for this cycle.