GRE Advice

[jchen707]

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So i just took the GRE today and here are my scores: 480V 750Q, total 1230. I am debating whether or not I should retake the GRE. The overall score is pretty good in my opinion, just a little skewed, since my verbal score was so low in comparison. What do you guys think? I'm applying for this next cycle 2011-2012, and the programs i'm applying to include: Columbia, MGH, Emory, USC, Temple, Franklin Pierce, Marymount, Univ. of Washington, Regis, and probably Univ. of Florida.
My current overall GPA at Bowdoin College is 3.389, pre-req GPA about a 3.5 but varies a little depending on the program, Biochem Major. I'm taking A and P I and II right now during the summer, and can safely say I have an A in A and P I. I also will have around 100-110 hours of observation in 3 settings by the end of the summer. I was captain of the volleyball team that finished 6th in the New England region this past season, and will be finishing a semester early.

Do you guys think I should retake the GRE, given my other stats, in order to boost my verbal score?

 

[johncronejr]

Well....I wouldn't retake it unless your prospective schools require a 500 minimum on each section. A 1230 is an excellent overall score.

 

[Svfina]

Congratulations on a fabulous score! I think you should be happy with your score and move on, but I'm not the one who has to wait for acceptance and rejection letters again. Our overall numbers and difficulty of school are both similar. I applied to and was accepted to Columbia, where I'll be attending in the Fall, and USC this past cycle. By attending a high difficulty school like Bowdoin, having solid GPAs and a having a solid GRE score, you'll get through the initial application weed out process and definitely make it to interviews. Make sure your personal statement is thoughtful and honest and apply as early as possible. Hopefully you'll decide to join me at Columbia next year 🙂 (There is no minimum score cutoff at Columbia)

 

[jchen707]

Thank you both for your comments. and Svfina, I am really hoping to get into columbia! and congrats on getting accepted to both columbia and USC. if you don't mind me asking, what were you stats during this past application cycle?

 

[Svfina]

No problem at all. Here are my stats:

University: Columbia University
Major: Neuroscience and Behavior
Overall GPA: 3.49
Prerequisite GPA: 3.27
GRE: 560V 640Q 5W

Extra-Curric: Research Assistant with the Psychology Department's Learning Lab at Columbia University (research paper was published), teach ballet to toddlers, regular New York Cares volunteer, taught middle school with after school program called the Braniacs (we taught basic neuroscience). I was also a professional ballet dancer for both the Boston Ballet and the Pennsylvania Ballet.

Volunteer: about 150 hours in neuro rehab, out-patient, and in-patient and a couple hours in a nursing home.

Applied: Stony Brook, Hunter, Columbia, NYU, USC
Interviews: Stony Brook, Hunter, Columbia
Rejections: NYU, Hunter
Acceptances: Stony Brook, Columbia, USC

FYI, just click on a user name to and click on Find more posts by so and so and you can see all their posts. So you can find my, as well as others, stats in the GPA's, GRE's, XTRA's, ACCEPTANCES sticky.

 

[TheOx777]

I think you should be absolutely fine with those numbers. Actually, that GRE score is pretty strong so I really do not foresee a problem. To provide you with more confidence, I applied to two of the schools you did(Temple, Columbia) and was accepted to both, and I didn't crack the 1200 mark. Best wishes!👍

 

[markelmarcel]

Great job! Honestly, don't worry about the 500 minimum because I didn't get a 500 on my verbal (The closest I got was 490) and I got accepted to the schools I applied to that had a "500 minimum"... I seriously had a panic attack and cried for an entire day after I took the test the 3rd time and didn't get a 500, I thought my dreams were over... Nope, not even close. 😉

So, I wouldn't retake- I'd run with it! 🙂