<p>I'll have to take the GRE general test in approximately 1 year.</p>
<p>My recent (practice test) GRE scores are about 800 math, 450-500 verbal, 4 analytical writing.</p>
<p>I'd like to apply to Harvard, MIT, Caltech and Stanford. How much emphasis do those schools put on verbal scores if I'm going to study chemistry? Is it wiser to concentrate on my own field or to study a lot of vocabulary?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Hi,
First of all , practice test scores can be an indicator but nothing more. You will have to work at improving your verbal scores and a 600 should suffice. Again, u havent mentioned ur major .YOur major matters when u apply to the schools, especially top ones like u have mentioned. Also ur academics (GPA) matters as well. Let me know if u have any more queries</p>
<p>Hi abhigopal!</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. I'm a major in chemistry and have a top GPA and all other qualifications are OK, too. Just check <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=89814%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=89814</a>, where I have posted my full application profile. Concerning the practice test scores, I've tried practice test from ETS, Princeton Review, Kaplan, Barron's and REA. Scores vary from 450-580, depending on the company...</p>
<p>I would be very pleased if you could evaluate my full application profile, too, and give me some tips how to make it more convincing.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance,</p>
<p>Armin</p>