Advice on retaking GRE/submitting my application

[futuredpt1313]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys, I'd like to hear some opinions about my current situation and any advice you may have. I've been reading on this forum for the past few months and have found it to be helpful.

Major: Exercise Physiology
Cumulative GPA: 3.11, 3.18 with 2 retakes
Core Prerequisite GPA: 3.36
-I have 3 prereqs left to complete which is allowed by the schools I'm applying to.
GRE: 151 verbal, 148 quantitative. Haven't received the writing score yet.
Observation hours: 140 outpatient, 50 acute care, 20 rehabilitation.

I took the GRE today and am pretty bummed out about it. My GPAs are low and I am unsatisfied with mainly my quantitative score. I had planned to submit my application as early as possible because many of the schools I am applying to have rolling admissions, which I feel could be to my advantage. I studied pretty damn hard for the past 6 or 7 weeks for the GRE and I'm just not sure whether or not I will score higher on another try. Possibly a few more points on the quantitative section.

Should I retake the GRE in 30 days from today or submit my application within the next week? Will submitting early increase my chances? Does any of this even make a difference? I'd like to note that I am confident my LORs will be very strong and my essays will be perfect- I know that will have minimal impact.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on where I should apply? I have a bunch of schools planned, but if anyone would like to drop some names, I'm all ears.
(And yes, I have looked at every statistic you can imagine of for various schools. I'd just like to hear some opinions/experiences on being accepted with similar stats.)

Thanks is advance for your help.

 

[ptlover]

Samuel Merritt doesn't have too high of a GRE requirement. UNT health sciences in forth worth Texas no GRE. University of Texas health science center San Antonio requires the GRE but does not use it towards your application. Pacific university no GRE and Arkansas state no GRE . I am applying to all of these schools because I am in the same boat but will be taking the GRE again in September. I am in the same boat as you but my advice is to apply to schools that look at the applicant holistically(which means they look at LORs GPA essays experience etc) and ones that do not have a minimum GRE requirements. Just be careful with applying to schools that have a minimum GRE requirement that is required because they will deny you just for that. I am a reapplicant and this is just what I have learned.

 

[futuredpt1313]

ptlover: Thanks for your response. I will look into those programs. I have decided that I will retake the GRE. Best of luck to you.

 

[hmmmatt]

Mind if I ask how/what you have been using to study for the GRE? Also, my stats were similar to yours for the previous application cycle, and I actually got accepted into Franklin Pierce in New Hampshire, but due to life circumstances and a very late acceptance (I think it was in later May when I heard) I was unable to attend. So, I'm reapplying this cycle with a bigger and better application. Just another school to think about if you haven't already.

 

[futuredpt1313]

Mind if I ask how/what you have been using to study for the GRE? Also, my stats were similar to yours for the previous application cycle, and I actually got accepted into Franklin Pierce in New Hampshire, but due to life circumstances and a very late acceptance (I think it was in later May when I heard) I was unable to attend. So, I'm reapplying this cycle with a bigger and better application. Just another school to think about if you haven't already.

I've used a few Kaplan books/flashcards, Manhattan GRE Prep, and the ETS Guide to the GRE. I also had some tutoring sessions. I have taken a look at Franklin Pierce and probably will apply there. What other schools did you apply to and was that the only school you were accepted to? That's great to hear that you have made your application stronger in your year off. I know that's always an option, but I am hoping that I am accepted somewhere so I can avoid that.

 

[iseidthat]

Hi,

I think the best advice I got for the GREs was to study how the test is designed. The test isn't designed to test how smart you are or how much knowledge you have in a certain category- it's an attempt to subjectively evaluate you in comparison to other test takers. I'm sure you've learned the formatting through your GRE study programs, so just utilize it. Honestly I took the GRE without studying and just looked at essay formats, and i felt pretty confident throughout. I got a good enough score for early decision 🙂

I just applied to Chapman. I went to visit a few months ago and they basically say that you have to at least reach the minimums. There is no such thing as "making up" for a weaker stat by doing better in another category. I only really have knowledge about california schools, so I'd suggest St. Augustine, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Fremont, USC, Chapman, Azusa, or Loma Linda. Some of the schools are pretty pricey since they they are private- so just another thing to consider.