<p>It is on this sad note that I write my first thread since collegeconfidential is the only avenue of solace for me right now. :\ </p>
<p>I just took my GREs today and bombed it - 710Q, 570V (awaiting essay scores). I have never considered myself a fabulous standardized test taker though I did pretty decently in my SATS (which I know aren't exactly a parallel). But today's scores were a slap in the face - I am a humanities student and never thought myself to be so hopeless at Verbal. </p>
<p>I'm applying for graduate school in Masters of Asian Studies at a few top ivies this year and I'm thinking of retaking the GREs. I'm currently an Asian Studies undergraduate in an ivy league, graduating in 6 semesters instead of 8, cGPA of 3.9+, and my major GPA is 4+. Proficiency in 3 Asian languages and previously held 2 research positions in my college, and won a scholarship from my college abroad to do further research. Know a few professors well enough that I could expect a few hopefully solid recommendations.</p>
<p>I keep telling myself that GREs don't count quite a bit and I know the topic of this thread might be quite laborious but could anyone kindly offer me a ballpark figure at what I should aim to score in order to be competitive for the abovementioned Masters programs in top rated schools? I know my current score isn't good enough so I'm ready (albeit reluctant) to subject myself to another 4 hours of computer screen gazing.</p>
<p>Thank you so much!!</p>
<p>If you’re non native English speaker then I’d say 570V is an “ok” score, but if you’re not then it is really, really bad since you’re majoring in a major that definitely needs good English skill.</p>
<p>Your GPA is very high (and in an Ivy league? lol that speaks for itself) and your experience is noteworthy. If you can get a great rec letter (as in, 2+pages long that’s not something like “oh this student took my class and it’s a hard class and got A” but “this student is smart and hard worker, for example he finished his assignments three weeks before due and thoroughly discussed it with me, also he once help me correct my mistakes on my paper etc”) - maybe from a prof/anyone with PhD that you personally worked with and like you - and your essay score is 5.5+ then I think you have a chance that’s on the better side.</p>
<p>Personally though, if you’re native English speaker, I think you should retake that GRE until you have something like 650+V (I don’t think they will care about Q on your major, although having 700+ is a plus, but definitely not something like 700V/450Q, prob 700V/700Q). Seriously, having such a high GPA and such a great background, it’s very odd that you “bombed” GRE like that. Also, wouldn’t it raise red flag on your personality? (E.g. this applicant demonstrate strong background but GRE score demonstrate negligent behavior “not studying”)
I mean, why not retake and get your application strong in every side (GPA, GRE, experience, rec letter), therefore making your chance HIGH (not just “on the better side”), and all you need to worry is interview.</p>
<p>thanks vitiatethis! </p>
<p>hehe, yea i know my verbal sucked. never thought it would happen, especially when my academic strength all this while has been writing-based. guess it reflects on my level of preparation and also the fallaciousness of standardized testing. (;</p>
<p>i’m open to more comments/opinions (:</p>
<p>Make an appointment with your advisor and ask his/her opinion on the scores you received. Perhaps in your projected field of study GRE scores would be important, perhaps they won’t.</p>