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In my experience, GRE scores alone should not keep you from being considered at most graduate programs. If you are coming to the admissions committee with good grades, excellent letters or recommendation, experience and an essay that details your motivation and unique qualities – the GRE should not be enough to keep you out. That said, it would be worth re-visiting the GRE just to see if there is something you can do to at least show improvement on the test. Good luck with your studies.
Heatherquote:
Originally posted by nr211Dear Admissions Consultant,
I graduated from Pace this past May with an overall 3.45 gpa, and a major gpa of 3.9 in international relations with a concentration in italian and diplomacy. I am considering grad school but got a horrible score of 940 on the GRE, twice. Do you think it’s even worth trying to apply to the global affairs program at George Mason University. I know I can get good recommendations from my Italian professor and my internship supervisor, but feel that my low GRE score will really hurt my ability to get into a grad school. Also, do you have any other suggestions or other schools that I can possibly be accepted into with such scores.
Thank you.
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Thanks for your post – sorry to hear you are freaking out. This is a pretty common mix up and I do not think it is worth addressing or re-submitting your essays. While submitting an error free application is what we strive for – this kind of mistake is unlikely to impact your admissions outcome. Now, if this error is paired with an essay that has a large number of errors – than it’s a different story. Good luck with your applications.
Heatherquote:
Originally posted by smoauroHi,
I might be freaking out, but I just realized that I misused the word master in my statement of purpose. I wrote Masters and masters instead of Master and master’s. Should I not worry or should I attempt to resubmit my statements?
Thank you.
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Thanks for your post. It does sound like you’ve overloaded – that is unfortunate. I would recommend that you add a few schools to your list – just to be safe. To help mitigate your GPA – try to find at least a couple of references who will specifically address your academic potential and maybe even address your success in spite of your ambitious schedule. In your statement of purpose, you will need to address your reasoning for pursuing so many different subjects and guide the reader through the options you considered but how you ultimately came to your current set of goals. Finally, in addition to the required application materials – I would suggest that you include an addendum, explaining your ambitious schedule, what you learned from overloading and explaining to the committee your confidence in not following a similar path while in graduate school. As for the GRE – in addition to the above suggestions – I don’t think it would hurt to try again. Good luck in your studies.
Heatherquote:
Originally posted by KleioI have an inconsistent CV.
I am an international student from Russia, and I want to pursue Master’s in International Development or Human Rights.My BA is social sciences from a respectful state university in the USA. I am triple majoring in History, Political Science and Philosophy and Law, and minoring in Anthropology.My workload is extremely heavy, and ambitious.I have been taking 300 and 400 level courses sunce freshman year. I have also pursued pre-medical requirements until now.
My gpa has been ok – 3.6 at its highest, 3.3 before pre-med courses, and it seems that I have been lowering my gpa since taking pre-med requirements. Now, my gpa is 3.12. Apart from that, I have happened to fail an upper level course in Anthropology,and I have been down since. I have failed mainly because I have overloaded myself with school and work, and the professor was not particularly open-minded. We also have different perspections of discipline. I am afraid that I have ruined my chance for admissions to a school of my dream. (Columbia, Harvard, Lse, Georgetown, SOAS)
I have previously been awarded US state grant.I have studied abroad in London School of Economics for a year, and in a prestigious Turkish University for 6 month, getting quite good grades at both. In addition I have gotten A and A+ in LSE Summer School, and A in Harvard Summer School. Apart, from that I have participated in Conflict Resolution workshop in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am very international and I speak 5 languages.
I have interned in a local city hall, Americal Councils and volunteered in a hospital. I have also been employed for the past 2 years in admissions office, cafeteria and as a language instructor in a university language program. I have been active in model UN previously and participated in student club a reserch trip logistics manager.
I don’t have any publications, but I am looking for an opportunity to publish. My references are going to be strong.My recent problem is that I have set unrealistic expectations towards myself and overloaded myself with school and work for several semesters in a row, perhaps burned myself out. (22 credits of science and upper level classes + internship+ volunteering). But I have learned , and I will take it easier. However, it is impossible to raise my gpa while having so many credits already completed.I have also concidered a medical school for a while. However, it seems that I have taken a wrong path ,ruining my gpa on the way.
My GRE is V 560, Q670 , AW 3.5 Should I retake?
Is it even worth applying to these schools provided that my essay is convincing? Afterall, I am applying to programs where I have gotten As and A+s Would these schools look at my Chemistry, Physics and Maths grades?AdmissionsConsultants
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Thanks for your post. It sounds like you have much of what admissions committees will be looking for at the schools you have listed. What is unknown, is your connection to the faculty and how well they are matched with your specific research interests. A major part of a PhD application is the statement of purpose – which needs to show your understanding and dedication to research as well as your match to the research being done at the university already. This paired with good grades/test scores/ references and letters of recommendation should be enough to be considered at these schools. That said, your list is very competitive so it is good to add a few safety schools to better your chances. Good luck.
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Originally posted by UvapsychHello,
I am currently a third-year student at the University of Virginia.
I am double-majoring in cognitive science and psychology and have
a cumulative GPA of 3.83 and a major GPA of 3.86. I will
be graduating as a Distinguished Major in Cognitive Science
and currently have two semesters working as a research assistant
under a professor of neurological disorders and a semester of research
on false memories. I also participated in a psychology REU one summer at Clemson
University. My GRE scores are 168Q, 164V, 5.5A. I am planning to apply to a
number of top top cognitive neuroscience Ph.D programs and
am wondering about my chances. How do I currently stand for admission to
Stanford, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Duke, UPenn, Brandeis, Brown, and MIT?
Also, how should I go about finding a proper safety program? Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!AdmissionsConsultants
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Thanks for your post. It sounds like you have a lot of what these schools will be looking for. It is important that you do well on the GRE and I would encourage you to continue to seek out experience in diverse settings. Always keep in mind who you will be asking for your letters of recommendation – these can be a critical piece in the admissions process. Finally, it sounds like you had a rough start to college academically speaking. Consider writing an addendum to your application explaining your grades and telling the committee what you did to improve and why you will succeed academically in a graduate program. Good luck with your studies.
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Originally posted by Undergrad2012Dear Admissions Consultant,
I wanted to know what my chances are of being admitted to American University’s MPA-Health Policy and NYU Wagner’s MPA-Health Policy programs in their Schools of Public Affairs. Additionally, I wanted to get your feedback and some advice.
I am a senior student in undergrad majoring in Health Administration. My GPA is a 3.45. I plan on taking the GRE this April. I do not have “professional experience” in the field per se, but I have interned with District of Columbia City Council Committee on Health, National Education Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,and will begin interning with Center for American Progress-Doctors for America this Spring 2012 semester.
Additionally, I have been active in some student clubs on campus,student government, Alternative Spring Break Community Service Program, and serve on university-wide committees for the past three years.
Before matriculating at my current school my gpa barely touched a 3.0 (just to put everything into context)but for the last three years, my academics record has improved. So, I wanted to know, how competitive I would be for admissions to the schools and any advice you may have. Thanks much!!!
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I’m not sure if this is the appropriate venue to research your goals – at the very least I suggest posting your question on the law specific message board. Good luck.
Heatherquote:
Originally posted by Sheena1112Dear Admission Consultants,
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Law from India and currently on H4 (dependent visa). I am eligible to study in USA on H4 and need an employer to file for H1 to hire me. I am looking for some career counseling to pursue my education and career. Please find below my education and work experience details
Education:
Bachelors degree in Commerce from Mumbai University – India
Bachelors degree in Law from Mumbai University – IndiaWork Experience:
Bayer CropScience Ltd. as Management Trainee in the Legal and Secretarial Department for 15 months.
Pangea3 Legal Database Systems Pvt. Ltd. (A division of Thompson Reuters) as a Paralegal Associate in Governance, Risk & Compliance Department for 13 months.Kindly let me know if I am eligible to apply for jobs directly in California based on my Law Degree. Or if not eligible to work directly with my current qualifications, Can you please suggest the path that I should take with regards to law courses / Certifications that I need to take up to pursue a career in California.
Thank you very much in advance for your support and guidance.
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Thanks for you post. Graduate teaching programs are consistently competitive because of the number of applicants each year. It’s good to have a diverse and sometimes long list when submitting applications. I do think you have a pretty diverse list but I can’t say that any of them will be “easy”. I would typically advise applying to at least 5 programs. Showing the admissions committee, through your essays and letters of recommendation, that you have a strong passion for the profession along with a unique set of goals upon graduation, can often help you stand out amongst a large candidate pool. Good luck with your applications.
Heatherquote:
Originally posted by LaUntamedShrewAdmissions Consultant,
I am a recent college graduate (May 2011) from Ole Miss applying to Master of Arts in Teaching programs in the state of Maryland, through which I hope to gain Maryland teacher certification. I have taken off a year and worked as a freelance photographer and graphic designer. I was an art major and English minor as an undergrad. I hope to become certified to teach secondary English. Most MAT programs require either a major in desired subject or at least 24-32 credit hours. I have 30+ hours of English courses. I have applied to 4 programs presently (Notre Dame of Maryland, Goucher, Loyola, and Johns Hopkins). I have been unable to find out a great deal about how competitive each program is. All my material has been sent, with the exception of one rec letter. I send a friendly reminder to my professor and have been guaranteed it will be sent out this week. Any advice for possible interviews or insight into MAT program selectivity would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
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Thank you for the advice/information. I have an undergrad GPA of 3.48 and a Praxis I score of 543. I didn’t know how important each factor is in the admissions decision. I know you stated the importance of essays and letters of recommendation. One of my letters is from the head of my University Museum, where I helped implement an educational summer art program and taught a variety of classes. I mention this experience in detail within my essay as being a big part of my inspiration to continue teaching. The other letters are from my undergrad professors.
quote:
Originally posted by hmacneillThanks for you post. Graduate teaching programs are consistently competitive because of the number of applicants each year. It’s good to have a diverse and sometimes long list when submitting applications. I do think you have a pretty diverse list but I can’t say that any of them will be “easy”. I would typically advise applying to at least 5 programs. Showing the admissions committee, through your essays and letters of recommendation, that you have a strong passion for the profession along with a unique set of goals upon graduation, can often help you stand out amongst a large candidate pool. Good luck with your applications.
Heatherquote:
Originally posted by LaUntamedShrewAdmissions Consultant,
I am a recent college graduate (May 2011) from Ole Miss applying to Master of Arts in Teaching programs in the state of Maryland, through which I hope to gain Maryland teacher certification. I have taken off a year and worked as a freelance photographer and graphic designer. I was an art major and English minor as an undergrad. I hope to become certified to teach secondary English. Most MAT programs require either a major in desired subject or at least 24-32 credit hours. I have 30+ hours of English courses. I have applied to 4 programs presently (Notre Dame of Maryland, Goucher, Loyola, and Johns Hopkins). I have been unable to find out a great deal about how competitive each program is. All my material has been sent, with the exception of one rec letter. I send a friendly reminder to my professor and have been guaranteed it will be sent out this week. Any advice for possible interviews or insight into MAT program selectivity would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
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