GRE Scores

[Enlitx]

I have a question about my GRE score. I took the test today and scored a 690 on the quant section and 630 on verbal. That put me above the 90th percentile on verbal and right around 70th for quant. I am kind of pissed at how poorly I did on the quant part, especially since I am a biochem major. I just neglected to review my math skills (haven't taken a math class in 3.5 years) and my score showed this. I have a 3.8 GPA and am in the honors program, with a 4.0 GPA since my junior year. I also have tons of research experience and should get very good letters of recommendation. I was wondering if I should retake the test before applying to graduate school for pharmacology? I know my quant score is pretty bad, but I just don't have the money to pay for another 150$ test unless I absolutely need to. I know that I meet the requirements for grad school (1100 combined GRE score), but will I be competetive? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[RedLeader]

No, I do not think you should retake the test. You are well-rounded enough that your test scores (which are by no means that bad) would pull you down. Good research and good letters of recommendation are what will make you competetive. Unless you're planning to apply to MIT or Harvard, I don't think what you perceive as a weakness on your application will matter at all.

What you might want to consider is taking the GRE subject test in either bio or chem. If you do well on one of these, then that can only add to your profile. If you don't do well, you just don't report having attempted it. I'd definately spend money on doing this before retaking the general test and hoping to do better.

What caliber of schools are you planning to apply to? I don't see you not getting into programs given your stats, except for the top tier, where really the acceptance discretion is so wacky to begin with that you shouldn't feel offended if you don't.

 

[Enlitx]

No, I do not think you should retake the test. You are well-rounded enough that your test scores (which are by no means that bad) would pull you down. Good research and good letters of recommendation are what will make you competetive. Unless you're planning to apply to MIT or Harvard, I don't think what you perceive as a weakness on your application will matter at all.

What you might want to consider is taking the GRE subject test in either bio or chem. If you do well on one of these, then that can only add to your profile. If you don't do well, you just don't report having attempted it. I'd definately spend money on doing this before retaking the general test and hoping to do better.

What caliber of schools are you planning to apply to? I don't see you not getting into programs given your stats, except for the top tier, where really the acceptance discretion is so wacky to begin with that you shouldn't feel offended if you don't.

I am planning on going to a school in the midwest so my wife can stay close to her family, maybe Denver or UNMC. Definetely not tier 1 schools. I have taken the ACS biochem test and scored in the 82nd percentile, would that be equivalent to the GRE subject test or should I take that as well?

 

[Heuristic]

I don't know ANYTHING about graduate programs in pharmacology. From a general perspective:

1) Will a higher GRE score increase your chances of receiving a better financial aid package?

2) Are you certain as to what you want to do with the degree? Are there certain schools in your area which might be a reach with your current GRE score, but that would be more secure with a higher GRE score? Would attending these schools open up further options for you?

Just some general considerations.

 

[RedLeader]

I am planning on going to a school in the midwest so my wife can stay close to her family, maybe Denver or UNMC. Definetely not tier 1 schools. I have taken the ACS biochem test and scored in the 82nd percentile, would that be equivalent to the GRE subject test or should I take that as well?

The ACS tests seem kind of like the ETS field tests, only a bit more specialized - I know I had to score above a certain percentile on ETS tests to pass my undergrad fields and hence graduate. (To what extent the ACS test would be akin to actuarial exams, for example, if one were to go directly into a career after undergrad, I don't really know about that.) I'm guessing that you took ths ACS test as a mandatory exam, either to pass a sequence of courses or as a sufficient condition to graduate? If so, then maybe your grade in the course(s) or your GPA was affected by this? If so, then only indirectly will this test help you with grad school.

So to answer your question, the fact that you've taken (and done well) on the ACS test does not really change my original opinion. Not to make anything less of your score on it, but the GRE bio tests are harder overall. First, the material is just harder. And second, since it's an optional test, the playing field is generaly of a higher caliber and thus scoring in a higher percentile is a lot harder. And ya, it might be a bit overkill if you're not shooting for a top tier school, but again if you're willing to spend the money, it cannot hurt you and can only help you.

Here, I've given you links to info on the GRE tests that would be options to you:

Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemistry