GRE scores...

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Don't freak out yet. The first time I took the GRE I made about the same score you did. I took it again a month later (without much extra studying) and I made more than a 100 points higher.

I figure I was just really anxious the first time around. The second time, I was a lot more relaxed.
 
Thanks Jetdry. I'm worried about the impact of my scores on my applications for schools that have deadlines 12/1 to 12/15. I put on SOPHAS that I was taking it again (under the scores section) do you think they'll wait for the Dec. scores before the schools completely throw my application in the trash? I'm retaking the 27th.
 
If you really feel that your score will improve at your next sitting, spend your energy figuring out what you need to do to improve rather than on worrying about what's already done. If you feel that your score does not reflect your ability to exceed at a graduate level (which is obviously the case or you wouldn't be applying), consider sending those schools a paragraph of "additional information." Let them know that standardized tests are not your strong suit (maybe you didn't do so hot on the SAT, but your undergrad GPA is high and you had a lot of ECs). You are planning to retake the test and you hope that your score does not detract from XYZ better parts of your app. blah blah. Adcoms are human too. At the end of the day, they want students who WANT to be at their schools, so show them some effort. There's no guarantee that they won't use the score against you, but at least an explanation might give them a different perspective and make them think twice.
 
Dont stress too much..I took the test last October and scored like a 1000. I signed up for it again immediately for the 2nd week in November and studied my ass off and scored a 1300 and got into all my schools..so as long as you submit your apps early, you'll be in the queue to have your app reviewed as soon as your 2nd set of scores come in
 
Your current scores are weak, but they can be improved. Princeton Review has a good online course around $500 or so. You'll want at least 700Q and 550V.
 
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