Retake the GRE or stop worrying?

I did post this elsewhere but now feel this forum may be more applicable…

In true Engineering form I’m going to try to avoid making this a narrative.

Here’s my situation: I am applying to Purdue & IU’s Dual MSE (focus in Aero Engineering) & MBA program and do not know if I should retake the GRE or if my chances of admittance are good regardless. The program is online, for what it’s worth.

Background:
College -

  • Degree in BSME, graduating this May
  • Small (but ABET accredited & D1) Engineering School with a moderately known name
  • 3.99 GPA (Our school does not do A+'s and I have only received 1 “A-” in a non-engineering class)
  • Class rank 1 (though out of only about 70 engineers)
  • Started and lead a team of 25 engineering students in a NASA-run project
  • Multiple Honors, Awards, & Leadership Positions in various organizations
    Work -
  • Three terms at one of leading automotive companies
  • Led multiple capital projects, saving company over $200k
    GRE -
  • Quant - 162
  • Verbal - 158

So, I recognize the weak point in my application is my Quantitative GRE score. While both scores are in the 80th percentile, all practice exams I took showed me in the 90th+ percentile for both quant and verbal. I do think if I took the exam again I could get my quant up to 165+ but there are a few drawbacks. For one, the application deadline is fast approaching and Purdue states that the earlier you apply the better. Additionally, there is always a chance verbal or writing could go down too.

What are my chances of admission, without taking the GRE, and do you think I should take it?

Thanks for your time!

Your stats are incredible, and although I don’t know much about graduate acceptances, I would be surprised if you didn’t get in. As for the GRE, I don’t know how this exam works, but you should definitely register for it, speak to your counselor (or the equivalent) about it, and then decide to take it or not without worrying about missing the registration. My suggestion is if you know you can do significantly better, then you should take it. That said, you should be cautious if you are unsure about your writing or verbal scores – take a few more practice exams and make your choice dependent on how you do on those.

I am not really qualified to answer, but I wish you the best of luck!

In true Engineering form I’m going to try to avoid making this a narrative.

Here’s my situation: I am applying to Purdue & IU’s Dual MSE (focus in Aero Engineering) & MBA program and do not know if I should retake the GRE or if my chances of admittance are good regardless. The program is online, for what it’s worth.

Background:
------ College -

  • Degree in BSME, graduating this May
    
  • Small (but ABET accredited & D1) Engineering School with a moderately known name
    
  • 3.99 GPA (Our school does not do A+'s and I have only received 1 "A-" in a non-engineering class)
    
  • Class rank 1 (though out of only about 70 engineers)
    
  • Started and lead a team of 25 engineering students in a NASA-run project
    
  • Multiple Honors, Awards, & Leadership Positions in various organizations
    

------ Work -

  • Three terms at one of leading automotive companies
    
  • Led multiple capital projects, saving company over $200k
    

------ GRE -

  • Quant - 162
    
  • Verbal - 158
    

So, I recognize the weak point in my application is my Quantitative GRE score. While both scores are in the 80th percentile, all practice exams I took showed me in the 90th+ percentile for both quant and verbal. I do think if I took the exam again I could get my quant up to 165+ but there are a few drawbacks. For one, the application deadline is fast approaching and Purdue states that the earlier you apply the better. Additionally, there is always a chance verbal or writing could go down too.

What are my chances of admission, without taking the GRE, and do you think I should take it?

Thanks for your time!

My advice, stop worrying about it.
A high GRE score will not get you into college, but a low GRE score will keep you out. And your GRE scores aren’t low. They might seem low but its about average for what I’ve seen for engineering students.
If you really truly believe that spending the $200-odd dollars to take the GRE again is worth it, go for it.

However, if you are applying to the Purdue program you mentioned expecting to start in Fall 2017, you should have already applied a couple months ago. Colleges are currently sending out decisions for Fall 2017.

You’re basically in the 80th percentile for each. Remember, this is rarified air, not people planning on applying to college, but to graduate programs. I wouldn’t sweat it.