Yet Another GRE Concern Thread

[thatonegal]

I won't even lie, I made this account specifically to ask this question, though I will be no means leave it at that--I think a community is important, and I'd be happy to be a part of it.

I'm applying to graduate programs at the moment, and many of my applications are due December 1st. I just took my GRE. I've got a 163 on my verbal, but an abysmal 147 on my quantitative. I'm really bothered, over that. I'm applying to School Psychology PhD programs, mostly. I feel I'd have done better, but I contracted shingles a few weeks before the exam, in my eye. Even after the rash, the pain is nigh unbearable. If you've ever had it--I'm sorry.

Beyond my GRE, I've a 3.84 GPA, am a McNair scholar, have volunteered with disabled children and worked in peer support for mentally ill individuals. I've been involved in research projects, received scholarships, graduated magna cum laude from my community college, and received a $500 grant. I am also scheduled for two presentations next semester. I've got strong recommendations letters, I'd think. I have a wonderful relationship with my mentors.

So, real talk. What are my chances? It's too late to retake the test, for the bulk of my programs--and too expensive. What are my odds, here, for so much as an interview?

Thanks for the time.

[GreenEyedTrombonist]

On 11/1/2016 at 4:18 PM, thatonegal said:

I won't even lie, I made this account specifically to ask this question, though I will be no means leave it at that--I think a community is important, and I'd be happy to be a part of it.

I'm applying to graduate programs at the moment, and many of my applications are due December 1st. I just took my GRE. I've got a 163 on my verbal, but an abysmal 147 on my quantitative. I'm really bothered, over that. I'm applying to School Psychology PhD programs, mostly. I feel I'd have done better, but I contracted shingles a few weeks before the exam, in my eye. Even after the rash, the pain is nigh unbearable. If you've ever had it--I'm sorry.

Beyond my GRE, I've a 3.84 GPA, am a McNair scholar, have volunteered with disabled children and worked in peer support for mentally ill individuals. I've been involved in research projects, received scholarships, graduated magna cum laude from my community college, and received a $500 grant. I am also scheduled for two presentations next semester. I've got strong recommendations letters, I'd think. I have a wonderful relationship with my mentors.

So, real talk. What are my chances? It's too late to retake the test, for the bulk of my programs--and too expensive. What are my odds, here, for so much as an interview?

Thanks for the time.

So I wouldn't take just my word for it, but have you submitted your apps yet? If not, you should have the ability to add additional comments in one of the sections explaining the bad score. Personally, as a social science person myself, I don't believe quantitative is nearly as important as verbal. I've even had conversations with Engineering profs about how they value verbal more than quantitative and articles have come out regarding research results stating verbal score is a much better indicator of success in grad school. Your verbal score puts you somewhere around the 90th percentile, right? How was your writing score? I think the information you provided makes you a strong candidate, depending on the specific programs you're applying for as well as the strength of your supplemental materials (sop, etc).

Good luck!

[light10491]

Why did you not retake your test earlier and 3-4 times? The GRE is an important standardized indicator of your ability. Other candidates with a 163 put in their effort and showed their ability relative to you. You had a year.

[hopefulPhD2017]

On 12/21/2016 at 9:16 PM, light10491 said:

Why did you not retake your test earlier and 3-4 times? The GRE is an important standardized indicator of your ability. Other candidates with a 163 put in their effort and showed their ability relative to you. You had a year.

This is not a very helpful response. I also have a lower quant score and I've taken it twice. I would say that if you don't get in, spend more time studying for the next round. I did this and my quant score rose by 7 percentile points. Good luck!

[swil92]

You sound like a competitive candidate for school psychology. Just make a quick note about your quant score in your SOP and/or maybe have one of your recommenders comment that that score isn't representative of your abilities.