<p>What is a decent GRE score for a doctoral program in Neurosciences or Microbiology?
Hey,
I have a Bachelors in Biology with a minor in Chemistry with 3.3 gpa from a private college in PA as well, I am getting my masters from a state university in Ohio with the thesis option. The first time I took the GRE my score was 480 on verbal section and 630 on quantative with a writing score of 5 (I'm an International student). My maters in Biological Sciences GPA is about 3.4-3.6 range and I'm also doing research for my Ms..and did research as an undergrad. I'm just wondering would I need to take the GRE again? Also if its for good schools vs safe schools. Please let me know soon..</p>
<p>For neuroscience/microbiology, you should probably have several publications. Do you have these and significant research experience? In terms of GRE, the quantitative should definitely top 750 if not 780. In regards to the verbal since you are international, they would probably be more lenient so above the 50th percentile would be okay. You should get about a 550 on the verbal. On the analytical, a 5 is pretty good and should suffice.</p>
<p>The GRE is, frankly, not important. A 700Q/500V/3AW will probably not detract from your application, especially if the rest of it is strong.</p>
<p>Yes, a 630 Q is a low score for programs in the hard sciences, so you might want to retake; however, as kryptonsa says, the GRE is the least important part of your application. If you come from a university that is not a well-known quantity (lower tier), then the GRE scores can become more slightly more important. If you don’t think you can do much better, then don’t waste your time to retake.</p>
<p>There are different expectations for students coming directly from undergrad and for those who are already doing graduate work. Undergraduates are not expected to have been published (although some are), while graduate students generally are. It’s not enough to “do research” as a graduate student; it must be largely independent (your own project within the larger scope of the PI’s) and of some significance, hence the publication expectation. If the level of your research is high, then I doubt GRE scores will come into play much, if at all.</p>
<p>As a member of a biomedical graduate admission committee, I suggest that you retake your GREs. These are low scores. If english is a second language the low verbal will likely be overlooked. However, this places more importance on the quantitative score.</p>
<p>In addition, your personal statement and LORs will play an important role. If your MS program is only one year, it is highly unlikely that you will be on a publication (hence the need for LORs from those faculty overseeing your research). If your MS program is multi-year the expectation for publications does increase. Research science is about milestones accomplished!</p>
<p>Thank you all for your replies. It helps clarify things quite a bit. I was planning on retaking the GRE as the first time I took them I did not prepare for them as well as I should have (preparing only for a month). I do not know though if I will have enough time to prepare for it again before the deadlines as the deadlines for most good schools range between December 15th-January 15th. Would you recommend submitting the first score initially and sending in the second one as soon as I take it. Also I do not have any publications for my masters research as yet- it is possible that the work maybe published but I don’t know if it will by the time I graduate next summer. Thank you once again. If you have any other advice please let me know.</p>
<p>i have completed my B-tech Biotechnolgy (4yr.) from india now i am planning to phd in neuroscience from USA …</p>
<p>1) is am eligible ?
2) are there any better options to Phd in other subjects ?</p>
<p>We cannot tell you if you are eligible unless you post your GPA and GRE scores. Have you been exposed to research in any way?</p>
<p>What do you mean by better options? What is your rationale for pursuing a PhD, and specifically one in neuroscience? If it’s about job stability/money, then you probably shouldn’t be pursuing a PhD at all. If you want a PhD but aren’t sure about the field, I suggest you get some experience or do a lot of background reading before deciding on a field. If you want a PhD in something biology related, perhaps applying to programs that are inter-disciplinary would be better (so you have faculty from all different fields).</p>
<p>You might also consider the UK, there seem to be some grants for students from Commonwealth nations.</p>