Retake GRE vs. retake class

[KitCat]

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My main concern is should I study for and retake the GRE this spring or retake either first semester physics, a 100 level bio or pre-calc this spring? (Either way I will also be retaking second semester inorganic chem this summer)

These were my stats at the time of application for 2013 matriculation:

veterinary: 746 hrs. (741 small animal, 5 large animal) animal: 125 hrs. (86 small animal, 26 zoo, 13 large animal) cum GPA: 3.12 science GPA: 2.74 (includes all math, biology, chemistry and physics courses) GRE: 3rd time: 148V, 146Q, 3.5A 2nd time: 148V, 142Q, 3.0A 1st time: 147V 146Q, 4.0A (all 3 attempts were between Aug. 2011 and Aug. 2012)

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[dvmdreamer]

I would talk to the schools that you are applying to- I know some prefer you take a higher level class than repeat an intro level class (unless you need to repeat it because of a C- or below). Unless you are applying to a school that replaces grades, it comes out the same either way and looks better for you to get an A in a higher level class.

As for the GRE, all of your attempts have such similar scores, I wouldn't bother taking it again unless you take a prep-class first. It's probably not a studying issue as much as a strategy issue.

 

[that redhead]

I would talk to the schools that you are applying to- I know some prefer you take a higher level class than repeat an intro level class (unless you need to repeat it because of a C- or below). Unless you are applying to a school that replaces grades, it comes out the same either way and looks better for you to get an A in a higher level class.

As for the GRE, all of your attempts have such similar scores, I wouldn't bother taking it again unless you take a prep-class first. It's probably not a studying issue as much as a strategy issue.

Agreed on all counts.

If you need to retake a class, do so. But retaking a higher level science course and doing well would look a lot better.

 

[bbeventer]

I agree with all the points above. Doing well in an upper level science course often looks better than correcting a freshman mistake. Also the upper level science courses will prep you more for vet school. I wouldn't bother retaking the GRE unless like others have said you get enrolled in a prep class, but those can be pretty pricey.

Possibly more and a larger diversity of veterinary hours can also serve you well. Numbers get you through the door, but don't forget about the other aspects of your application a strong PS and eLORs can do a huge good.

 

[KitCat]

Thanks for the replies! I've been taking all upper level biology and chemistry class this past fall as well as right now and there's no upper level classes my school offers this spring and summer. So I'm trying to decide between retaking physics this spring or retaking the GRE. As for the GRE I think I did roughly the same because I never went out and bought new material (which was dumb on my part).

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[KitCat]

I'm currently waitlisted, but in case I don't get offered a spot I would like to start preparing now to apply again (for 2015 matriculation).

Since my last post here I did retake the GRE for a fourth time using Magoosh, but unfortunately didn't do much better (149V, 148Q, 4A). Of the 3/7 file reviews I've done (based on my application for 2014 matriculation) I've been told everything from a Master's program won't make me more competitive, consider a Master's program, I don't need to gain more non-small animal hours, I do need to gain more non-small animal hours, retake GRE, retake both semesters physics, etc.

These were my stats at the time of application for 2014 matriculation:

veterinary: 1,295 hrs. (1,266 small animal, 29 large animal) animal: 115 hrs. (73 small animal, 30 zoo, 12 alpacas) GRE: 3rd time: 148V, 146Q, 3.5A 2nd time: 148V, 142Q, 3.0A 1st time: 147V 146Q, 4.0A (all 3 attempts were between Aug. 2011 and Aug. 2012, 4th attempt mentioned above)

Here are my GPAs (minus the current semester's grades since they aren't posted yet): cum GPA: 3.24 science GPA: 2.84 (includes all math, biology, chemistry and physics courses).

At the end of this semester I will have completed 1 year of classes post-baccalaureate, including 6 repeated courses. If I do not take any classes from next month through August I'm hoping to gain 100-200 large animal veterinary hours, 100 hours at the zoo and 100 hours with alpacas. I will be completing 25-30 hours within the next ~8 weeks of undergraduate research (mostly data input) and I am debating on whether to start the Master's program in biology this fall or work full-time in a health care setting. That is what I would like to do, but my question is am I just setting myself up for another cycle of rejections if I do not retake the GRE and both semesters physics?

 

[UFprevet12]

Hey @KitCat! I also struggled with the GRE, standardized tests are just not my thing. Have you tried taking a course to help boost your GRE scores? I took the test three times and kept getting low scores. I finally decided to take the Kaplan course and it helped boost my scores just enough to get by. I would recommend doing that if you haven't already. Good luck! I wish you the best.

 

[equineconstant]

I'm currently waitlisted, but in case I don't get offered a spot I would like to start preparing now to apply again (for 2015 matriculation).

Since my last post here I did retake the GRE for a fourth time using Magoosh, but unfortunately didn't do much better (149V, 148Q, 4A). Of the 3/7 file reviews I've done (based on my application for 2014 matriculation) I've been told everything from a Master's program won't make me more competitive, consider a Master's program, I don't need to gain more non-small animal hours, I do need to gain more non-small animal hours, retake GRE, retake both semesters physics, etc.

These were my stats at the time of application for 2014 matriculation:

veterinary: 1,295 hrs. (1,266 small animal, 29 large animal) animal: 115 hrs. (73 small animal, 30 zoo, 12 alpacas) GRE: 3rd time: 148V, 146Q, 3.5A 2nd time: 148V, 142Q, 3.0A 1st time: 147V 146Q, 4.0A (all 3 attempts were between Aug. 2011 and Aug. 2012, 4th attempt mentioned above)

Here are my GPAs (minus the current semester's grades since they aren't posted yet): cum GPA: 3.24 science GPA: 2.84 (includes all math, biology, chemistry and physics courses).

At the end of this semester I will have completed 1 year of classes post-baccalaureate, including 6 repeated courses. If I do not take any classes from next month through August I'm hoping to gain 100-200 large animal veterinary hours, 100 hours at the zoo and 100 hours with alpacas. I will be completing 25-30 hours within the next ~8 weeks of undergraduate research (mostly data input) and I am debating on whether to start the Master's program in biology this fall or work full-time in a health care setting. That is what I would like to do, but my question is am I just setting myself up for another cycle of rejections if I do not retake the GRE and both semesters physics?

It sounds like only one school told you to retake both semesters physics...is that a school you really want to go to?

 

[WildZoo]

I would say figure out which school you really want to go to and focus on the areas they told you to improve. You can't do everything, so tailoring your application to the school you are most interested in might be the best course of action.

 

[DVMDream]

Everyone has given you good advice. Focusing on what some schools have told you to improve might be the best option since it seems what schools are really looking for varies so much. What would help you at one school, may not mean much to another school at all.

I am going to be very blunt here, not trying to offend you at all, but I highly, highly suggest not taking the GRE again unless you are going to get some good studying in and it will boost your scores some. It is a waste of time, effort, money and stress for you to keep taking the GRE over and over again and not improving your scores. You aren't making any dent there since the scores have not changed much at all from year to year. I'm sorry if this seems harsh, but it is the truth. You might as well flush that money down the toilet because re-taking the exam repeatedly and not getting a different score is a waste. So, if you choose to retake the GRE again, you really need to find a good program and improve those scores by more than a point or two.

I would write out and evaluate what each school has told you to improve upon and then decide on a course of action to improve on a few of the things that they have mentioned to you. If you need to take a year off to improve these things, then do so. It looks good to the schools if they see you putting in a serious effort and taking a year off to put in that effort won't hurt you.

 

[KitCat]

Hey @KitCat! I also struggled with the GRE, standardized tests are just not my thing. Have you tried taking a course to help boost your GRE scores? I took the test three times and kept getting low scores. I finally decided to take the Kaplan course and it helped boost my scores just enough to get by. I would recommend doing that if you haven't already. Good luck! I wish you the best.

I used Kaplan the first three times (though not their course) and Magoosh the fourth. I really enjoyed Magoosh and thought I would do a lot better using it, but apparently not 🙁

It sounds like only one school told you to retake both semesters physics...is that a school you really want to go to?

It is a school I would really like to go to, however I opted not to retake it. That school recommended many other things that I could do to make myself a more competitive applicant aside from retaking physics and most of their recommendations I have already completed or plan to before the application is due for 2015 matriculation. I'm hoping that will be sufficient and I won't want to kick myself for not retaking the physics.

I would say figure out which school you really want to go to and focus on the areas they told you to improve. You can't do everything, so tailoring your application to the school you are most interested in might be the best course of action.

That's how I treated the school I'm waitlisted at so I definitely think it paid off (or so I think), and it's something I want to remember to do if I have to apply again, thanks 🙂

Everyone has given you good advice. Focusing on what some schools have told you to improve might be the best option since it seems what schools are really looking for varies so much. What would help you at one school, may not mean much to another school at all.

I am going to be very blunt here, not trying to offend you at all, but I highly, highly suggest not taking the GRE again unless you are going to get some good studying in and it will boost your scores some. It is a waste of time, effort, money and stress for you to keep taking the GRE over and over again and not improving your scores. You aren't making any dent there since the scores have not changed much at all from year to year. I'm sorry if this seems harsh, but it is the truth. You might as well flush that money down the toilet because re-taking the exam repeatedly and not getting a different score is a waste. So, if you choose to retake the GRE again, you really need to find a good program and improve those scores by more than a point or two.

I would write out and evaluate what each school has told you to improve upon and then decide on a course of action to improve on a few of the things that they have mentioned to you. If you need to take a year off to improve these things, then do so. It looks good to the schools if they see you putting in a serious effort and taking a year off to put in that effort won't hurt you.

Your not offending me DVMDream! I understand where you are coming from and I appreciate all the advice.