Low Scores - Should I even apply this year?

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm currently a pharmacology master's student at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and I'm interested in applying to PhD programs this year (Fall 2010 application season). I work in a research laboratory at TJU full time, and I take two master's courses each term (there are four terms a year). I will be done this year, and I'm currently in the process of taking classes, working on my thesis (which I'm planning on finishing by April) and applying for PhD progams. I also worked in the pharm industry for 2 years before joining the master's program that I'm currently in. I don't have any publications. </p>

<p>Undergrad Stats:
B.S. University of Delaware
GPA: 3.46
Major GPA (Chemistry): 3.6</p>

<p>So my background isn't stellar, but I think it's solid. </p>

<p>My major problem is my GRE scores. My General Scores are only 650Q, 530V and 5 AW. </p>

<p>Ideally, I would have liked to re-take my general GRE; however, some of the schools that I would like to apply to indicated that subject GRE scores are "recommended" or "highly recommended." So I decided to just take the Chemistry GRE (which I'm taking on Saturday) and rock it and hopefully that would offset my weaker general score. </p>

<p>Just the way that things worked out this summer, I only been able to really study for the past two weeks. Prior to that, I was starting a new job (the one I'm currently in), taking classes, note taking for Chem GRE studying and focusing on writing my thesis proposal so that it could get approved and so that I could move on with the thesis process. I have been taking practice Chem GREs, and unfortunatly I'm getting really low scores (below 600)! I think I've worked out a strategy to improve my score, but there's really only so much that I can do. I think the best I can hope for is a 600. </p>

<p>I know that graduate schools consider the whole application, but I'm considering holding off on applying to PhD programs until next year (when I'll be able to fully focus on my GRE scores and applications) because I know that I'll be up against people who'll have a better complete package. Anyone have any advice? </p>

<p>These are the schools that I'm planning on applying to. Some of them are a reach for me, and I was wondering if I should even apply (even before the low score debacle), but as a good friend told me, "If don't apply, you're DEFINITELY not getting in."</p>

<p>Weill Cornell
Columbia
UPenn
Tufts
Thomas Jefferson
Mount Sinai
Hopkins</p>

2

<p>You need to figure out why you’re scoring around 600 for the Chemistry GRE. Is it because you have gaps in your knowledge? Or because you are making mistakes? If you should know the material, analyze why you’re selecting the wrong answer so you can rectify your thinking before the actual test. Although I’m not familiar with the chemistry GRE, I do know that ETS sometimes gives choices that are half-correct; you need to know how to select the best answer. Am I correct in assuming that you’ve already been on the ETS site and have downloaded the practice booklet?</p>

<p>Your preparation seems strong, both with the research and the master’s degree. If your current program grades are good, they will trump your undergraduate GPA. The biggest question is whether your general GRE quantitative score is high enough. Some programs won’t care because of your background. Others will want a higher scores. Is there any way you can squeeze in another general GRE? If so, concentrate mostly on raising your quantitative score. Your verbal score, while low, won’t be as much of a factor, although it would be a bonus if that went up as well.</p>

<p>Good luck! I think you should apply anyway. If you don’t get into any of your schools, then next year you can work on improving your scores and on applying to other programs.</p>

3

<p>Is it ironic that this is the same advice my mom gave me! </p>

<p>Maybe her PhD prep from 25 years ago isn’t so obsolete!</p>

<p>Thanks for responding. I was waiting all day. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>The reason I’m scoring so low is two-fold: I do have gaps in my knowledge and I have been rushing and not picking the correct answer. </p>

<p>I’m generally clueless about O-Chem at this time. It’s a “you know it or you don’t” situation, and frankly, I don’t have much time. My new plan is to skip the O-chem and work on the rest of the test. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time after I finish the test to go back and attempt to answer some O-chem questions. </p>

<p>And I can always squeeze in another Gen test since it’s offered about 5x a week, but the question are: do I have the time to properly prepare? and does my new score have time to make it there by December deadlines? </p>

<p>I think the answer to both is no…</p>