<p>i'm applying to departments that are strong in political history and political development. there is very little emphasis on statistics although they require an entry level course. i scored a 700 V, 520 Qu, 5.5 writing. i have a 3.925 overall, 4.0 in both my majors (history and political science), graduating in 3 years b/c i have no reason to stay (i know this can be a drawback but oh well), have senior faculty writing my letters, and submitting my honors thesis which was published in an undergrad journal.</p>
<p>i am applying to a few second-tier schools. my professors are urging me to go for some reaches, mainly yale b/c there is a professor there that perfectly matches my research interests. yale doesn't publish the averages and even conducted a study that GRE's are not a good indicator of graduate performance.</p>
<p>UCLAri means what specific progams (as in, names of schools) are you applying to? Their focus doesn't tell as much as the school - the specific programs can vary widely in their competitiveness.</p>
<p>i don't understand.
i was basically saying that i don't know with the GRE score, should i apply to yale. what else do you need to know? it's yale political science.</p>
<p>What kind of feedback are you looking for? Of course apply to Yale if you can spare the cash. Why not? You certainly appear to have done rather well for yourself academically. Go for a reach or two or three.</p>
<p>thanks! that's basically all i needed to know. i feel confident with my gpa and other factors, it's just the GRE scores that are on the low side. 520 qu/ 700 v</p>
<p>Your verbal score isn't bad, but your quant score is going to make things a bit tough. What's the highest level math you took? Any stats? I know you don't WANT to work with it, but inevitably you will probably need to at least have a basic understanding of it.</p>
<p>yea i expected that. so i registered just now (for my last term) an intermediate statistics course. i only took precal before that. i know it's a long shot but i'm hoping that my research interests and verbal/gpa can give me a boost.</p>
<p>i'm also applying to political science programs such as UVA, berkeley, stanford, minnesota, wisconsin, and ucla.</p>
<p>Those are some pretty upper-tier programs there. However, with your other accomplishments, I'd say you have a good shot at one of them. You might also want to consider UCSD, Duke, Columbia, and Cornell.</p>
<p>really? you think i'd have a good shot in those places? they're quite competitive too. i'm also applying to some state schools (texas, uc irvine, etc)</p>
<p>How funny that you don't consider UCLA, UCSD, and Cal as "state schools." Oh well.</p>
<p>I think you'll certainly have an uphill climb, but any of the top 10 (Harvard to UCLA) are within reach if you're smart about how you portray yourself in your apps.</p>
<p>UCI is a great and underranked program if you ask me. They have some spectacular names that work there and have come out of there.</p>
<p>Be aware also that some top schools do look at the quality of your application and the strength of the program you came from. Needless to say if you have an uphill battle I am completely out of the running. I'm applying to some top-tier history programs and only have 620 verbal with a 6 on the writing. I have a 3.9 and a MA from a top 5 program, but my applications will probably get thrown out because of my numbers.</p>
<p>i do consider them state schools, because that is what they are. they are top programs so i guess i just equate them with ivies and private institutions.</p>
<p>and i did mean i am graduating within three years, not three years from now.</p>
<p>and bozwell, i would not worry about your GRE scores for the history programs. 6 on the writing is superb and the verbal is not bad at all. how'd you do on math (even though i was led to believe that humanities care a lot less about the math than the social sciences)</p>
<p>I know that...heck, I've gone to two different UCs! It was just funny how you said "UCLA and Cal... oh and some state schools." :p</p>
<p>I very much consider UCLA, Cal, Michigan, UCSD, Wisconsin, et al to be peer institutions. And I'm glad that you do as well, as it opens up many doors for the prospective applicant.</p>
<p>BTW, history cares more about quant these days than they used to. Bad news for some... :(</p>
<p>NY, thanks for the encouragement. I scored a 620 quant as well. From what I've heard most history departments (whether social sci or humanities) just want a decent quant score.</p>