<p>Hi everyone,
I'm a Master's student in Biology at a well-known school in NYC. I just finished my first semester of grad school with a 3.2 GPA (2 B+'s and 1 B). I went to the same school as an undergrad where I also majored in Bio and graduated with a 3.3 GPA (pre-med courses really messed me up). When I started college, I wanted to apply to med school, but when I worked in a genetics/development lab for 2 yrs as an undergrad, I decided that research and teaching would be a much more enjoyable career choice. I still have a year left until I get my Master's, and I want to apply to PhD programs for Fall 2011. I took the GRE last year and got 660 Q, 480 V, and 4.0 Analytical Writing. I have not taken a subject Bio test, but I'm currently studying for the October exam. I'm planning to apply to schools in NYC for the most part, like NYU, Columbia, Mt. Sinai, etc. I want to avoid having to re-take an expensive, stressful GRE general exam, but I really want to increase my chances at getting into these PhD programs. Any advice?</p>
<p>I think your scores are super low and you should focus on a retake. I am not an expert at med school admittance, but I don’t think yours clear any low hurdle. If you cleared a low hurdle, then perhaps there could be offsetting factors. Can you report the percentage rather than the raw score? I’m guessing around 60% for Q and V? That will give you an idea what you are up against. I’d guess you’d better talk to a school advisor to get a better idea.</p>
<p>I’m applying to PhD programs in Biology, not med school. If my scores were “super low” as you said, I wouldn’t be in a competitive Master’s program right now…</p>
<p>I’m sorry, just trying to be straight with you. What are the percentages on those scores? I’m sure there are more informed people on this forum who are more familiar with the program you are interested in and will be along soon, or next day or two to give you better feedback. Still I think the best feedback will come from your department or advisor. Some top programs totally overlook GRE, I’ve heard.</p>
<p>Master’s programs are typically easier to get into than PhD programs, so your portfolio can be excellent for those programs but lacking for PhD ones. Your GRE scores are low for the PhD schools you are looking at, though the programs will obviously place more emphasis on your research so it isn’t a strict numbers game like for med school. However, your numbers do matter, so your scores combined with your GPA will hold you back somewhat (unless you have amazing research experience/recommendations, which will help overcome the deficits).</p>
<p>It might be in your best interest to try and improve your scores in both sections. Right now, you are around the 60th percentile which seems low to me for the caliber of program you want to apply to.</p>
<p>I don’t know about Biology in particular, but I agree with posters above. You’d need to do better in GRE. From what I’ve heard, your LORs and research experience count for a lot. But a bad GRE score will definitely weed you out in the first round even though Phd admissions are not a strict numbers game. </p>
<p>This is just another opinion.
Good luck to you!</p>
<p>I agree with the previous replies that your GRE scores are low. I got 620 Q and 430 V after my first pretest using PowerPrep. As others mention before, it’s a good idea to retake the GRE. Based in your university selection and stats of some Phd applicants, I think you should score at least 1350 (Q + V).</p>
<p>Good GRE scores will not get you IN to a PhD program. But they definitely can keep you out. I agree with the previous posters, and I would suggest shooting for greater than the 75th percentile in both categories. The subject score will help to make up for your GPA (which isn’t low, but may hinder you if you consider other NYC schools like GSK, Rockefeller, and Cornell).</p>
<p>Assuming you clean up the GRE scores a bit, the single most important things are your LOR’s and statement of purpose. When I was interviewing this past winter I received comments on part of the application I had previously through unimportant. There is a part on all of the application that asks for a paragraph description of previous research experience (outside of your personal statement). Take some time to make sure this is well written, and doesn’t sound cookie cutter-esque. They will appreciate something fresh as opposed to something that has sounded like all the other students. (Or so I was told by many of my interviewers).</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>