<p>Hey there everyone-
I took the GRE in mid-May and was pleased with the scores I received at the time. However, after doing some more research, I am feeling doubtful that they are good enough to get me "in the door" at institutions that are known for their good programs in my major (Anthropology). I got 620V, 630Q and a 4.0 on Analytical Writing (ouch). These correspond to a percentile ranking of 88% for Verbal, 54% for Quantitative and 32% for Writing. GPA-wise, I have a cumulative of 3.75 or so from the two universities I have attended (I transferred as a junior). If anyone has any advice as to whether I should retake the GRE or any other helpful thoughts, it would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Hey I'm an anthro major too, in the same shoes as yourself. As for your scores, they are really solid, especially the verbal score. From what I've heard, most anthro depts only focus on your Verbal scores, and even that, they don't put much weight on them...I think the personal statement, gpa, and recommendations are the most important things...not to mention if there's a faculty member that wants to work with you. </p>
<p>So don't worry about your scores...they are pretty good actually. In fact, I'm worried that I won't even get a 600V. Which programs are you wanting to apply to? And what field of anthro?</p>
<p>kjanebarnum,</p>
<p>I direct a grad program in a cognate field, and I strongly disagree with the advice above. You should definitely retake, and focus on the verbal and writing sections. Don't worry about the quantitative score unless your intended subfield of specialization is biological anthro, or some aspect of anthro that involves lots of stats.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that assistantships and fellowships will indeed hinge on GREs, because these awards are usually conferred by a committee weighing all applicants from all disciplines, and you will have to distinguish yourself in this regard. The hard science applicants will have 800s in the quant section, the humanities applicants will usually have above 700 on verbal and above 5 on writing, and the social science folks will need to have competitive scores in verbal AND writing.</p>
<p>Your math score is great as it is. No worries there. But you can certainly bring up your verbal and writing scores. Just prep a bit, and practice writing highly structured essays. (Remember the old five-paragraph format you learned in high school, using supportive evidence and strong transitional sentences? That's what they're looking for.)</p>
<p>Best wishes to you.</p>
<p>Professor_X,</p>
<p>I understand that for fellowships and assistantships, the GRE is used as a major determining factor...but from the people I have spoken with from various anthro depts, they gave me the impression that the GRE isn't weighed as much as the personal statement, gpa, and recommendations. Not to say you shouldn't do your best on the test..but I just think that there are way too many factors in PhD admissions, so you shouldn't get worked up over just one. Also isn't admissions into a PhD program more dependent on your research ideas and potential rapport with the prof you want to work with? Like I said, I'm in the same boat as kjanebarnum, so any advice you can give would be really nice, especially since you direct a grad program (who knows, I might be applying to it :P)</p>
<p>masmaha1234,</p>
<p>There are indeed many factors in PhD admissions, and the elements you cite are absolutely very important, and weighed heavily. (The GPA in the major -- assuming the undergrad major is the same as the PhD department to which one is applying -- is more important than the cumulative GPA.)</p>
<p>And you are absolutely correct that "fit" with faculty specializations is crucial.</p>
<p>The advice you've been receiving is correct in regard to mere admission, but my advice about retaking the GRE is based on the fact that NO ONE should pay for doctoral-level studies, and high GREs are the best route to full tuition remission and a stipend.</p>
<p>And I look forward to receiving your application! ;)</p>
<p>high GREs are the best route to full tuition remission and a stipend</p>
<p>While that may be true in your dept and/or your Univ. there do exist programs for which the GRE plays a very small role. There are programs for which, past a certain cutoff on a section/sections, the GRE is worthless.</p>
<p>...and, IMHO, any doctoral program that makes funding decisions based on one examination as opposed to an applicant's entire profile is extremely pis$-poor, regardless of the rankings.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their replies!</p>
<p>Professor X--I am indeed interested in biological anthropology (which may seem insane as I obviously didn't perform too well on the Quantitative section). In your opinion, what scores in each section would make me competitive for admission and/or assistantships and fellowships? Thank you for your help!</p>
<p>masmaha1234--I'm looking at programs that are strong in biological anthropology. What area of anthro are you interested in?</p>
<p>theghostofsnappy,</p>
<p>First, I resent the implication, which is based on false premises anyway. I suggest you check your attitude at the door.</p>
<p>Second, as I have consistently asserted in this forum, fellowships are determined at the university level, not the departmental level. Departments make their own choices for assistantships. And high GREs can definitely push a candidate with a strong overall package above other candidates with lower GREs and strong overall packages. In addition, like it or not, GREs are one of the few interdepartmental metrics that fellowship committees use to make these decisions. </p>
<p>The opinions that I share in this forum are not merely based on my own departmental practices, but on the practices of longtime friends and colleagues who direct graduate programs in many departments at several universities.</p>
<p>I shall not dignify with a response any of your subsequent hostile posts.</p>
<p>kjanebarnum,</p>
<p>Biological anthro is not my strong suit. I would imagine that anything over the 80th percentiles in quant, verbal and writing would make you an exceedingly strong candidate for fellowships at fine institutions.</p>
<p>kjanebarnum,</p>
<p>That's really cool you're into Biological anthro. Even though I've taken several bio anthro courses, I'm leaning more towards cultural anthro for grad schools. Have you decided yet about retaking the GRE? I'm going to take mine soon..and I really hope I get a score I'm comfortable with..b/c I really don't want to dish out another $110. Anyways, good luck with your applications this Fall!</p>