Poor AWA score, but high verbal...should I be worried?

Graduate School
1

<p>So, I got my GRE scores back yesterday. While I got a 730 (99th!) verbal/ 580 quant, I only got a 4.0 on the AWA--I was expecting a 5 at least. Should I be worried? I'm trying to get into Berkeley and Stanford's graduate Asian (Japanese) Studies programs. It's been five years since undergrad, and while my overall GPA was 3.2, my major GPA was 3.7. I have no research experience, but worked in a Japanese company for a little over a year.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>gariben,</p>

<p>Great verbal score! I’m in the same situation. 670 verbal (95%) but only 4.0 AWA. I too was expecting above 5. My thoughts are that a 4, while not good, should at least meet any hard minimums the admissions committee uses. My SoP is strong, and should alleviate any doubts or concerns the committee has about my writing abilities.</p>

<p>Of course, I’m at the same part of the process as you. I won’t know if I’m right until March!</p>

3

<p>AWA scores are still suspect among most graduate admission committees. Students who write complexly argued essays are marked down. The scoring system rewards simplicity.</p>

<p>A writing sample and SOP that demonstrate focus, concision, and facility with language will absolutely trump an AWA score.</p>

4

<p>If you were presented with a candidate’s well written essay and a GRE score which would you take as more indicative of their writing ability?</p>

<p>(the answer to this rhetorical question is the essay)</p>

<p>*Disclaimer: I actually have no clue, but this is my best guess</p>