Low GRE scores and GPA...the path to ivy league?

Graduate School
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<p>Of course you can score downward over the course of the test, but the point is that you cannot score upward. The CAT (computer adaptive test) is structured by a easy/medium/hard hierarchy. If you miss easy and medium questions, you will never be offered the difficult ones that will take your score into the 700s because the computer “assumes” you will be unable to answer them based on your performance. Once you prove that you can answer difficult questions (by answering them correctly in the beginning of the test), then you have greater room for error as you proceed. For example, if you correctly answer four difficult questions, then miss a fifth, the computer may drop back to medium questions briefly but will jump back up to difficult as soon as you get those right. If you keep missing difficult questions, then the program focuses on determining where you fit in the middle range of scores. Your scores indicate that you were unable to answer questions of medium difficulty and even got a number of the easy questions wrong – and that’s why people are telling you that your scores will hurt you. Admissions committees don’t want students who cannot answer the more basic questions on the GRE. </p>

<p>I don’t agree with the CAT concept because some test-takers may get jittery at first, thus screwing up their final scores, and because it doesn’t allow students to return to or skip questions, as the SAT does. But ETS claims it gives more accurate scores and that they are better able to differentiate among test-takers. </p>

<p>Your misunderstanding of how the test works suggests that you didn’t study as you should have. All the prep books discuss the test-taking strategy, and the ETS materials web site and their PowerPrep CD, while perhaps not making it clear that your final scores depends on your first 10-15 answers, does indeed describe the CAT and how it works. </p>

<p>As for your LORs, you may get one from industry, particularly if that’s the field you intend to study, but professors want to hear from other professors. They don’t care about what a great worker and all-around good guy you are; they want to know about your academic potential. Especially with two masters degrees under your belt, they are going to question why you don’t have any recommendations from at least one of those programs. Sometimes what you don’t include works against you. They are going to speculate why you don’t have academic LORS, and, believe me, that speculation is going to lead to some unfavorable assumptions about you. </p>

<p>I also want to echo what others have said: the requirements on the web sites are usually much less demanding than the real stats of admitted students. These minimums give departments some leeway regarding applicants who have one weak area but excellent credentials everywhere else. In the US, most CS majors have taken courses beyond the basics of math and computer science that you see listed, and you will be competing against them.</p>

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<p>You are presuming to compete with highly qualified people for a scarce resource; a slot in a graduate program at an elite school. This is a classic “zero sum game”. For you to win, someone else has to lose. It is not the same case as a “diploma mill” which educates all comers who meet minimum standards (and can pay).</p>

<p>You have enjoyed real world success but despite talk of “cut throat competition” business is not a zero sum game. Everyone and anyone can win in the workplace if they work hard and smart. </p>

<p>If you cannot beat the other applicants, you cannot be admitted. You do not seem to have the driving passion for excellence in scholarship that the top programs expect. However you have recieved good advice from other posters on how to overcome your deficiencies.</p>

<p>Why don’t you concentrate on earning/making a zillion dollars and then collect honorary degrees in return for contributions to colleges?</p>

<p>Check out this link;
<a href=“http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dilettante[/url]”>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dilettante&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This behavior is encouraged in undergraduates, to an extent, but not in graduate students.</p>

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<p>Josh, I think what may concern some of the posters in this thread (myself included) is the fact that you have a lot of ambition, but not a lot of desire to do what’s required to make it all happen. You want to study Ancient History, but you say you don’t want to learn the languages required for it - how exactly would that work? That’s like saying I’d like to do a PhD with a focus on Chinese politics, but I don’t want to learn Chinese… You want to get into good schools, but you don’t want to learn basic high school math to score above a 380Q - considering you get 200 points just for signing your name, I’d imagine it’d be possible to make it past 380 if this is truly your life dream and you’re not just a “degree collector”, as cosmicfish rightly pointed out. Take a college algebra class at a community college, take a GRE prep course, get a tutor. We can continue to wax poetic about the philosophy behind using GRE scores as a basis for admissions decisions and about your high school not offering a decent background in math, but all of that won’t make up for the fact that you don’t have the scores/background/training required to do a PhD in either field in the US.</p>

<p>I’m also genuinely curious to know how one would incorporate ancient history into a PhD in computer science.</p>

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<p>josh,</p>

<p>I agree with kigali. You may not like the methods schools use to select which applicants they’ll admit, but if you want to join their club you have to agree to their rules.</p>

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<p>Josh, </p>

<p>I do not consider the AW completely worthless - it helps to catch the people who ace the verbal section through vocab study. This shows up in scores below 4.0. High scores basically show that you wrote a lot without making any quickly-caught mistakes, and that you at least addressed the topic. A high score does not demonstrate brilliance.</p>

<p>No one outside the College Board knows what their algorithm looks like, so I do not know if you could have been higher before falling to your final score. More importantly it does not matter. You got your final score by missing a lot of questions.</p>

<p>ugpa CAN be overlooked - that does not mean it will be. It will vary substantially from school to school, but TOP schools will see it and will not like it.</p>

<p>I am not questioning your reasons for wanting a PhD, especially not on this forum! Rather, my question is: What single focused objective can you accomplish that requires the conjunction of these two fields, and how does it require two seperate PhD’s? You allude to such an objective without describing it… at all.</p>

<p>Going for two PhD’s is like trying to get a commission in the Navy, followed by a commission in the Army. Some people do make that jump, AFTER finding out that the original choice was flawed. Going IN for that purpose is an exercise in vanity.</p>

<p>Seriously, though - how do you want to combine your two fields in research?</p>

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<p>Once again, thanks for all your replies</p>

<p>sarbruis,</p>

<p>You’re free to draw your own conclusions, as erroneous as they may be. As it was, referring to a hypothetical score is not the same as using that score as evidence at all.</p>

<p>Everyone else in this thread has been helpful, even if they thought I was being difficult or antagonistic. You on the other hand, despite seemingly having a far more limited range of education and experience, seem to think your in a position to know better. I think it’s a shame your mind is so close, and that things are so absolute in your mind. I’d have a good mind to PM you if I decide to get into the Columbia CS program, but you’re just not worth it.</p>

<p>Perhaps when you get out of first semester studies, you’re opinion may be worth listening to.</p>

<p>Momwaitingfornew,</p>

<p>I could not afford the books, I studied with a range of materials from the website, other 3rd party materials and the powerprep software. Indeed, I was aware of how the test works, and as you pointed out, the ETS materials do not indicate the first 10 questions are vital.</p>

<p>I do agree with you, it’s a rather poor system, and there seems little need for it. Or even advantage to it. I don’t understand however why you say my scores indicate I was unable to answer medium difficulty questions. Based on everything summary I have found of average score reports, my scores are only very slightly below average, depending on the program.</p>

<p>kigali,</p>

<p>I certainly do have a desire to make what is necessary happen to fulfil my goals. It’s just a question of what exactly is necessary. Calculus for CS…not so much. A better GRE score and LOR from academics on the other hand certainly is. I’m not sure why you think I got 380…my score was 480, which is only slightly below average from all the score reports I have found.</p>

<p>The reason I seem reluctant to spend another 3 years learning languages is because the Masters degrees at NYU, and Cornell do not require this. I even received admissions advice stating that only a year or so is sufficient. It won’t make me stand out, and most other student will have more experience…but the fact is it’s not necessary to know french and german, to do a masters at least. I do have a year of Latin uder my belt which will be expanded.</p>

<p>As for combining AH and CS…are you kidding? There is plenty of revolutionary ways to utilise CS to help better understand areas in AH…modelling, translation etc…plenty of opportunities.</p>

<p>I disagree with you that a high score does not demonstrate brilliance. It does so far more accurately than the verbal section does. Have a look at the scoring guide for that section to get a better idea…use of language is an important part, but far more important is the use of critical thinking. It’s really quite confusing that so many people get such a consistently low score while doing high on the other sections. It’s a problem with students today…they can memorise a textbook, but when they have to think for themselves…</p>

<p>I will have to make every other aspect of my application shine to do my PhD…because it IS possible :slight_smile: I do wan#t two PhD’s…however I’m young, and there is not exactly a rush to get them. It’s important to me to do ground breaking research and make advancements in the two fields that have been a part of my life since I was young.</p>

<p>At the moment however, I will focus my energies on getting accepted to a masters program, and perfecting that gain admission to a PhD course.</p>

<p>My only question is, can the masters degrees in AH that are designed for people without a bachelors in the subject, such as the ones at NYU and Cornell, be used to gain entry to a PhD course? Or would those students lose out every time against applicants with the relevant bachelors…</p>

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<p>josh,</p>

<p>After reading this thread I think it’s safe to say that universities reject applicants with poor GRE scores and low GPAs so that they don’t end up with dense, argumentative students like you. Your attitude is arrogant, and no professor in his or her right mind would want to work with a student who believes himself profoundly gifted, but who is unable to back-up his claims with any objective measures. Self-confidence will take you far, but not to the PhD programs of the NY schools you so desperately want to attend.</p>

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<p>dntw8up,</p>

<p>I’m sorry you feel that way. I don’t believe myself to be profoundly gifted, nor am I trying to be overly argumentative.</p>

<p>What I know, is that my GPA’s for my two Masters degrees are excellent. If they don’t appear to be, I converted them to the US system incorrectly. I also know that I have appropriate course preparation for a PhD in CS, and AH.</p>

<p>If I get excellent LOR and high GRE scores, and complete a US masters program with an extremely high GPA, then I have an excellent chance of admission, which is what I understand from the replies in this thread. I’m sorry you think I come across as arrogant for bothering to seek clarification or put forward my own opinions.</p>

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<p>nope. you need a minimum of two years of latin and one year of greek (or vice versa). and again, i am sorry, but your masters grades are not special. really and truly, while they are far better than your undergrad grades, and will possibly negate how poor your undergrad GPA actually is, in and of itself your masters grades do not stand out. they’re not so low that you’d have no shot, but they’re so low that you’d have no shot at any masters program with a level of prestige (such as NYU or cornell). lower your sights for your masters BY A LOT or you will simply throw money away on applications that get rejected.</p>

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<p>this varies by ad-com committees and varies based on how much your scores improve. if you get 600+ on the verbal section (for history) or get 700+ on the quantitative (for CS), this will make you competitive for masters programs only. some schools will see that you did a lot better and reward you, and others will see this was your third attempt and assume you went to great lengths (courses, tutors, etc) and may still struggle in grad school.</p>

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<p>maybe. i’m not sure our definitions of “impressive” and “strong” are the same. i think you are overestimating the number of people who have grad GPAs that easily surpass your own.</p>

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<p>no, you don’t have the course preparation for AH. not even a little bit. you’d need to complete a research thesis of 30+ pages using sources in latin or greek that you translated yourself. your research work needs to both demonstrate your ability to do historical analysis and your ability to work with sources in another language. as someone else mentioned, you’ll probably need to get another BA in AH or classics, or do 2 years of coursework at the undergrad level just to raise your profile enough to get into a masters program in the US.</p>

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<p>in general these are slightly more relaxed, but not by much. every year, schools reject HUNDREDS of applicants to have the grades and scores and preparation and ability to be in their PhD programs, simply because they don’t have enough space. for many of these, they offer them admission to their terminal masters degrees as a sort of consolation. so while the listed requirements for masters degrees are lower, in reality most of the people who get into those programs are people who were good enough for the PhDs (or just barely below it, which you are not), and had to take the terminal degree because of a lack of space in the PhD program.</p>

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<p>this is bad. this, perhaps even more than your grades and scores, will sink you for either CS or AH. you need at least one. find a professor you took a class with, email them and say “remember me?” start the relationship NOW if you don’t already have one. if you can’t foster this relationship, even at a distance, then you are yet again failing to meet a requirement for grad school admission.</p>

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<p>your masters GPAs may be high, but so is everyone else’s unless they’re close to failing. for most masters and PhD programs, if you don’t get at least a B+ (3.0) in every single class, you’re on academic probation or tossed from the program. so your grades may be high, but that does not make them in any way unusual. please know that i am saying this to be honest with you and your profile, not to tear you down or belittle you. so your profile (other than your GREs) does show that you’re capable of studying something, but not necessarily that you’re capable of studying AH or CS. both fields have very specific requirements that you don’t meet, and i can tell you from experience, simply getting the classes under your belt doesn’t make you qualified either. i may have three years of spanish but i struggle constantly with it and it’s only a matter of time before someone realizes what a fraud i am. :)</p>

<p>you need both the classes on your transcript and the ability to execute the skills you learned in those classes with relative ease. this is incredibly difficult to do. at least i think it is.</p>

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<p>you’re welcome. you haven’t become belligerent, and i think many people in your position would have by now. at the same time, i’m not sure you’re really absorbing what everyone is telling you, despite clearly reading all of their replies. your chances are very low and even with some additional undergraduate schooling, vastly improved GREs, and forging connections with professors past and present, you may not make it into grad school in the US, even for a masters program.</p>

<p>and i would strongly urge you to remove “ivy league” from your vocabulary. it is not a reality for you. even with a masters from the US, you would have to do something groundbreaking in your MA thesis to erase all the other many pitfalls of your application. that said, you CAN have a career in academia without ever going to an ivy league school.</p>

<p>also… i completely sympathize with your unwillingness to take language classes for 2 or 3 years when you want to study AH. i’ll give you an example. a friend of mine went to the same undergrad i did, taking the same extremely competitive and rigorous honours program during her BA (60-90 page thesis, 90 minute defense, translation exams… it was basically a masters program). on top of getting a 4.0 overall average, and 4.0+ in her major (before scaling, after conversion from canadian grading), and 750 verbal (98%ile) on her GRE, she still took two years between her BA and grad school just to get her languages. she is also studying ancient history, and when she finally applied to grad school, she had 4 years of latin, 3 years of greek, 2 years of french, and 1 year of german. she also had a 93-page research paper that required her to translate texts from latin and ended up being selected for publication in an academic journal. she no doubt had 3 strong LORs from professors in our program. this fall she will be attending princeton’s PhD program.</p>

<p>THAT is the profile you need for an ancient history PhD at an ivy league school. perfect grades, a near-perfect GRE score, research experience, and many, many years of language preparation. no amount of work you do now will get you there unless you do an entire BA degree.</p>

<p>getting a PhD in CS now won’t make going for a PhD in ancient history later any easier. it doesn’t matter that you’ve already got a PhD. these are two very different fields with NO overlap and so having an existing PhD in an unrelated discipline will not improve your profile. you’d still need the languages, the research experience, the HISTORY professor relationships (at least one, if not three), and better GRE scores.</p>

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<p>“excellent” is a strong word. at the masters level, anything short of almost perfect (4.0) is rough. so if you converted your GPA and weren’t converting 3.5s, 3.8s, and 4.0s, then the grades are not excellent. and not unusual.</p>

<p>and yes, if you complete a masters in the US with a near-perfect GPA and get high GRE scores and great LORs from your US masters professors, you’ll have a good shot at a PhD. not an “excellent chance of admission.” no one has that unless their family is alumni. applicants with dream profiles still get rejected from a few schools, often ones that aren’t as “good” as the ones they eventually attend. a masters degree from the US, even a great one, is NO guarantee of PhD admission. and is definitely not a guarantee of admission to the same school that gave you the PhD, since it’s unwritten policy that most schools don’t keep their terminal masters students on for PhDs.</p>

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<p>no you don’t. and everyone here is telling you that you don’t. you don’t.</p>

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<p>The title of this thread and your first post suggest you are woefully underprepared for the PhD programs that interest you, but if you are in fact well prepared, you should apply and wait for your acceptance letters.</p>

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<p>Josh, would you please let us know if you still plan to apply or not?</p>

<p>I def will be highly curious to hear about your journey on grad school applications.</p>

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<p>Strangelight, in all fairness to the OP, we don’t know what his IT degree really means if he says that, in Australia, IT is really CS. (Not sure I buy that, but still, I don’t know.) We would have to see the details of his program to determine this. I agree that 2 semesters of calculus and better GRE Q scores are a must, but beyond that, we don’t know.</p>

<p>Josh: If you can’t afford the $25 for a GRE prep book, how are you going to pay for another masters degree? As for your scores being “slightly below average”, you must understand that to get these scores, you are indeed answering only easy problems. Correct medium-difficulty questions give scores in the 500-600 in quantitative, and the more difficult questions take you into the 700s. Verbal ranges are different, obviously, since the average is lower. </p>

<p>Unlike other posters, I think your 6 AW score is great and not easy to get; however, it would impress admissions committees only when accompanied by high multiple choice scores. PhD programs in particular want good writers since they are more likely to produce quality papers than subpar writers, but that certainly is not their only criterium. They want students who are prepared to do upper level work, and the application package, from GREs to LORs, must support this. Graduate admissions aren’t meant to be fair; they are competitive. A decathlete who can’t do the high jump cannot win.</p>

<p>I hope that you return after the admissions cycle to let us know your results, no matter which way they go. You will either get your video of a poster eating his hat (Strangelight? cosmicfish?), or you will help others readjust expectations. As much as people have jumped on you, this thread has been instructive in many ways.</p>

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<p>Josh,</p>

<p>AW GRE: While I agree with you on the disparity between high V and low AW, I still maintain that the AW section offers little else of value to a grad program. It mostly serves as a check on those with stellar V scores and a great SOP. Programs consistently list that as their least important section, and I have never heard of any calling it as a significant part of admissions. I understand that as the most competitive point of your resume you would want to see it valued, but it is not.</p>

<p>Combining Ancient History and CS: The areas of combination you mentioned all involve the use of computer programs as a tool for the study of history. In general, if your focus is on creating an innovative tool, your degree is in the field of the tool, while if your focus is on the results, you focus in that field. For example, an old friend of mine got her PhD using synthetic aperture radar (EE) to study soil compositions and densities (Ag Eng) - since her focus was on the results, her degree is in Ag Eng. My wife is considering for thesis the use of computer mapping algorithms in the discovery and study of archaeological sites - her degree will be in Archaeology. When I was looking at MIT’s plasma fusion and science center I was informed that math, physics, EE, and NucE’s all studied there, with their focus essentially revealing their field.</p>

<p>Now, it is possible to do what you seem to intend - get 2 PhD’s in very different fields in sequence. I just think that (a) you will need to conceal your motives from here on out, (b) it will take forever, and (c) it will in the end be less effective than simply having a single PhD. I also think that once you have the first PhD it will be very hard to convince a top admissions committee that you need the second. A more likely answer would be to do a post-doc in the second area.</p>

<p>Mom,</p>

<p>If the OP gets into a PhD program at an Ivy or other top school in the next year or two I will humbly eat crow. As a former salesman I will also be intensely interested in his technique.</p>

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<p>Cosmicfish, I would be shocked if he got into a PhD program. I would be almost as shocked if he got into a first-rate masters program. Right now, I think the question is: Can he get into a CS (or Ancient History) masters program with the credentials he has?</p>

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<p>Josh: I agree with Cosmicfish that you can use a CS PhD to create tools to analyze/model ancient history. This could even be a dissertation topic (depending on what you do) – but it does not require two PhDs.</p>

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<p>I’m not seeing anything like that on their websites. Maybe you can post links? if you’re looking at something like a terminal MA to provide a secondary teaching credential, the answer is no.</p>

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<p>Again, if that’s for a terminal MA, it’s possible, but definitely not for an MA leading to the PhD. And remember, even if someone said that 1 years was enough for consideration, the fact is you’ll be competing with people having 4+ years of one language and 2 or 3 of the other. </p>

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<p>Yep. Been there, done that. Historians started using computer modeling back in the early 1970s to test economic theories. Statistical tools have been big in archaeology and linguistics since before WW II. If a classicist, archaeologist or historian needs a mathematical tool, s/he either learns it by taking a class or masters the tool independently. If the tool is being used in an unusual way or is somehow controversial, s/he’ll hook up with a respected professor in the tool’s field for authoritative support. Translation is a boondoggle - however, textual analysys has made use of computers for decades, again, since at least the 1970s.</p>

<p>Incidentally, without a pretty serious math background how are you going to approach those subjects?</p>

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<p>They will lose out everytime to people (BA and MA) with the languages required for PhD level work. Again, please provide links to the programs you’re looking at and specifically point out where they indicate that a suitable BA isn’t required. As with the CS/IT dichotomy, I have a feeling we’re talking around each other here.</p>

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<p>This entire thread has been fascinating. Shocking, really. I have so far learned that delusion, ignorance, and stupidity take more than 4 pages’ worth of posts to break down. Good fun.</p>

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<p>mom,</p>

<p>i do believe that with one to two years of further undergrad-level study, renewed connections with professors, significantly better GRE scores, and the production of some sort of writing sample that includes original research in the desired field of study, that the OP can get into a low-to-mid-level US masters program. from there, he could get into some PhD programs, and one of those might be brown or dartmouth,.</p>

<p>but i also believe that the OP won’t do any of this. he won’t take the necessary coursework to be competitive, he won’t forge relationships with professors for LORs, and he won’t do that much better on his GRE. he’s welcome to prove me wrong.</p>

<p>grad school is not for everyone, and it definitely isn’t for people who can’t honestly assess their own skill level, knowledge base, and intellectual potential. the OP’s displayed inability to understand what most posters have been saying to him (along with his constant mis-reading of grad program requirements from schools’ websites) demonstrates a distinct lack of critical thinking and comprehension.</p>

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<p>decidedfactor,</p>

<p>What is with the namecalling? I’m sorry you drew the conclusions you did, truly sorry. I am not ignorant, deluded or stupid, and it would do you good to actually read posts before jumping to conclusions. Either that, or your comprehension skills are shot.</p>

<p>StrangeLight,</p>

<p>Thanks again for your replies. My masters grades are special…, I am not deluded in saying this, rather I have not converted them to the US GPA system correctly. I would think being on the deans list means something…</p>

<p>As for impressive, or strong etc… My GPA was higher than 6 on a 7 point scale. That is certainly special.</p>

<p>Why are you so certain I don’t have the course prep for AH? As I have mentioned there are at least two masters degrees * designed* for people without a background in AH. Such as the NYU and Cornell courses. I received admission advice that not having a bachelors in the field is not a drawback. As such, it then becomes a question of if I can ever do a PhD after doing one of these masters courses.</p>

<p>It’s disturbing how much I will need a LOR from an academic. I really don’t see this changing, but I will certainly try and foster relationships.</p>

<p>I see what you’re saying regarding inflated grades, but I don’t believe that to be the case in Australia. As to whether the US universities will be aware of or acknowlegde this is another thing…</p>

<p>I certainly am taking in what everyone is telling me. At the end of they day though, it is up t me how to use this information. I accept the importance of GRE scores, LOR and my low chances. I don’t accept that my goals are impossible to achieve, only that they will take a longer amount of time. It’s important to be aware of the obstacles and work to remove them, which is what I intend to do.</p>

<p>Your friends profile is amazing :slight_smile: I think at this point, since my experience and strengths are in the field of CS, to focus on improving these and going further in this field.</p>

<p>I certainly do have appropriate course preparation for CS. With all due respect, none of the people here are familiar with the subjects that made up my degrees, and are not in a position to judge for CS. For AH, the lack of language if nothing else means I don’t. That statement you quoted of mine read back quite horribly however.</p>

<p>Out of curiosity, why do you feel I won’t do necessary coursework to be competitive, to forge relationships with professors(Of course I will if I can, I so far have not been able to!), or that I won’t do that much better on my GRE?</p>

<p>People love to ignore the fact that I have already completed
two graduate degrees, one of which was research based. Who knows why. I can honestly assess my own skill level, knowledge base and intellectual potential. At the end of the day, I’m the best person to assess that, not a bunch of people on a forum drawing conclusions based on (quite possibly) unfounded assumptions. Nor have I have a problem comprehending what people are saying or school requirements. Indeed, the very fact that I seek clarification on or disagree with certain points is evidence of comprehension and critical thinking. </p>

<p>I had thought you were above equating a contrary opinion with a lack in intelligence…you seem to be resorting to insults in your last reply, and I don’t understand why.</p>

<p>In any event, thanks once again.</p>

<p>Mr.Zoo,</p>

<p>I will investigate Masters degrees in the US, both the ones for Ah that are geared toward people without prior experience, and CS degrees. I will focus on getting LOR’s and retaking the GRE score. However, I will probably take a break and focus on work for a month or two, and will start studying the GRE again in October or so. rest assured, I shall post any stories of my success on here.</p>

<p>Momwaitingfornew,</p>

<p>IT is certainly somewhat blurred with CS. This is the case in quite a few US unviersities at well. What is important, is that I have done the CS prep courses, more than adequately. I still don’t see why you think calculus is a must. At the most, it seems to be maybe preferred.</p>

<p>I could not afford the $100 for the GRE prep book. Keep in mind differences in where I live and delivery charges etc. Basically, due to personal reasons, I could not afford it, and I did not think it was necessary given the free materials available.</p>

<p>As for paying for a masters…I will have more money coming in from my business…but how does financial aid work? If I have a student visa will I be able to take out student loans etc?</p>

<p>I still don’t see why medium is considered to be 600-700…based on score reports on the ETS website, 400-400 is average, i.e. medium…lower than this would be low? I had thought 600-700 is high, and 700-800 very high?</p>

<p>I have come to understand the insignificance of my AW score in applying. Hopefully however, the next time I retake the GRE, I will be able to get a 6 again, or at least a 5.5, which will be noticed with my higher GRE scores.</p>

<p>I shall certainly post again to let everyone know my results. It saddens me that people think I am being arrogant or stupid or needlessly argumentative. I am not trying to be, and I do appreciate everyones input. I am also glad if this thread helps other people.</p>

<p>At the end, if I don’t end up even getting into a masters in the US, I may end up doing a PhD in Australia. The nice thing about this is that it would be completely free for me. It is tempting…</p>

<p>What would an Australian PhD be worth in the US?</p>

<p>cosmicfish,</p>

<p>Regarding the AW component…it has nothing to do with me wanting it valued because of my score. I simply thing that as it is the only part of the test that actually tests critical thinking, it should be given more weight. It allows admissions officers to see how well a student can recognise a phony argument, or make a compelling argument. Which I think is an important skill. It’s not just about writing at all.</p>

<p>AS it is, many students get admitted with 4.0 scores or so, meaning they miss many reasons why arguments are faulty, and fail to support their own assertions. Think about what that can translate to in the field of graduate study.</p>

<p>I was also interested in doing something like computer mapping algorithms. My previous research in CS has been in a very different area, particularly operating system security. Which unfortunately has no relation to any field in AH. It is an important decision I must make however…if I decide to do my US masters in CS, then I am effectively stopping all chance of ever doing one in AH.</p>

<p>Why are you all wanting to eat things if I get in? Have some faith in my ability to improve my profile as a result of my ambition and passion. I may not get in now, in fact I certainly won’t. But one day…</p>

<p>Momwaitingfornew,</p>

<p>Indeed, I agree I don’t need two PhD’s. The second PhD was more of a much later down the line thing…in another 15-20 years or so.</p>

<p>WilliamC,</p>

<p>There is this course at Cornell: [Archaeology</a> at Cornell - Graduate Program](<a href=“http://www.archaeology.cornell.edu/grad.html]Archaeology”>http://www.archaeology.cornell.edu/grad.html)</p>

<p>According to my emails with admissions staff, my MA in AH from an Australian University is considered significant course work. Is this what you mean by a terminal MA? Otherwise, what do yo mean by a terminal MA?</p>

<p>Is it definite that these Masters degrees can not be a pathway to doctorate study? I understand I will be competing with people with Bachelors degrees however…even if it were possible, that would seem to be a major limiting factor.</p>