Calling everyone with low GRE.

[kfizzy999]

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Hi guys,

I wanted to talk about GRE scores, especially lowww GRE scores. I had a very low GRE score and still got into a competitive MHA program in Chicago. My score was an 840 with a 3.5 AW. I wanted to put this out there because when I was browsing on here, I got really discouraged with all the extremely high GRE scores I saw (1050 was considered a low score by most people’s posts). If you have a low GRE score, don't sell yourself short!! Be extremely persistent and don't give up hope. Everyone has their weaknesses and if it's your GRE score, you have to just compensate with your personal statement and letters of rec. I just wanted to put that out there because a post like this would have helped me stay positive throughout this process. J

 

[lebeth]

That is awesome that you still got into a great program with a low score. I think some schools definitely weigh the GRE scores more heavily than others when considering applicants. I got a 540 on both sections and a 4.5 (I think?) on the writing, which is super low compared to other people's scores. I have a learning disability which is the reason why I scored so low on the quantitative. No idea how I scored so low on the verbal since I was getting 700+ on the practice tests. Oh well.

 

[JMM051]

Kfizzy, what was your GPA?

 

[kfizzy999]

Kfizzy, what was your GPA?

A 3.5, a 3.8 Major GPA. I guess the GPA was alright but I also got a 17 on my ACT, which is probably borderline learning disabled....lol. I guess that was a foreshadow for my GRE as well...who knows. I just lost all hope but I still kept going. I was waitlisted because of that as well but I was really
persistent and I got in. 😛

 

[kfizzy999]

This was also the only program I applied toooo so I had no choice but to get an offer....

 

[elisek110]

I got a 3.6 GPA and 1100 GRE, 600Q and 500V.... got into BU with a scholarship ...good luck 🙂

 

[ebadevil]

yup guys, I certainly think just because you have one problem, does not make you a bad applicant... I got something like 1230 on my GRE (740/490/5.5) but I had pretty awful GPA (3.1 total, nearly 2.0 major but that was a very small sample size as I was a transfer student) and I also still got into a number of top MHA/MPH programs... so if anyone is discouraged by these people who all they do is brag about their scores, don't be... just try your best and you're bound to get in somewhere good!

 

[ald]

First, congrats to you all on a successful application season. I just wanted to point out that people who post on SDN are not necessarily representative of the average applicant. I would be hesitant to base your chances of admission based on what you see here. That being said, the numbers really aren't everything to adcoms. I know it's a cliche, but it truly is about "the total package".

 

[JMM051]

I agree with ald. I was worried about my GPA in comparison to others on the board (2.95). My GRE was pretty decent (1210) would both Q & V above the 60th percentile. Most programs want to see some type of experience to backup the stats. I had relevant experience that really helped boost my application. I ended up getting into 5 of the 6 schools I applied to (Emory, BU, Tulane, UI-Chicago, and USF). Many of the applicants on here are very exceptional but may not represent the "average" applicant (generally i see avg. GPA's listed on schools websites as 3.5 where many on the posters have way above that).

 

[marcellabella21]

thanks for this post kfizzy999!! its good to be reminded that people who post here arent the average applicant. i get so caught up in my numbers and scores that i loose focus even...anyway i still have yet to take the gre. and actually i do have a learning disability i never took the SATs because Im a community college transfer. i have pretty good grades and expierence but i am freaking over the GRE especially because i cant afford to take a class and i never took the SATs so i dont have a lot of expierence with tests like it! Ahh. I really hope I do well but i have to remember its not the only thing that counts 😉

 

[eckerd82]

Now that I was actually accepted to schools (LOL), I'll tell my score: 1020.

I have to agree that they must look at the entire package because I thought my score sucked (and that was my second testing). I got a 5 on the essay portion. I have been out of undergrad for 8 years, but my gpa was 3.7 something when I finished. I'm a registered nurse and have a buttload of public health experience, though. I think the PH experience is a large part of what got me accepted (especially considering I applied so late).

I've been lurking on this forum a while, and I definitely was developing a bit of an inferiority complex reading people's anecdotes: I've never done research or helped orphans in Africa or been in the Peace Corps or any of that!

But I'm definitely eager to start MPH studies!

 

[kfizzy999]

I've been lurking on this forum a while, and I definitely was developing a bit of an inferiority complex reading people's anecdotes: I've never done research or helped orphans in Africa or been in the Peace Corps or any of that!

But I'm definitely eager to start MPH studies!

I knowwwww, right! I'm like really, reallyyy?? I have none of that so I must suck. Well that's not truee! I figured there were people like me on here🙂

 

[ebadevil]

I feel like this is a more appropriate thread to ask this question in... so...

I really want to do PH, but there is still a part or me that feels like one of the reasons that I'm going for my MPH is so that I have two more years to drink, party and not grow up... anyone else feel like this?

 

[Reticent]

I feel like this is a more appropriate thread to ask this question in... so...

I really want to do PH, but there is still a part or me that feels like one of the reasons that I'm going for my MPH is so that I have two more years to drink, party and not grow up... anyone else feel like this?

Well if that is your motivation why not go to law school and enjoy those same benefits for a lifetime? 😉

 

[eckerd82]

I think my partying days have long been over.

I sat in on a class at Dartmouth and one thing that turned me off was how young members of the class seemed. That was a defining moment for me. LOL