Should I Take the GRE Again? Applying MA in Political Science

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm currently applying to grad schools for an MA in Political Science, specifically with a concentration in American Politics. I took the GRE once back in September, and did not so great, but the fall semester was extremely brutal for me, so I never really studied or had a chance to study to take it again. I feel like I'm a bit behind the game with this. Currently a senior at NC State.</p>

<p>GRE Scores:
Verbal: 147 (32% below)
Quant: 151 (45% below)
Writing: 3.5 (35% below)</p>

<p>Overall GPA: 3.406
Major GPA: 3.788 (BA Political Science, American Politics concentration)</p>

<p>Not exactly sure what my "recent GPA" is, but here's a breakdown of my semester-by-semester GPA to show quite a bit of improvement:</p>

<p>Fall 2010: 3.2
Spring 2011: 2.875
Fall 2011: 3.167
Spring 2012: 3.667
Fall 2012: 3.55
Spring 2013: 3.667
Fall 2013: 3.733</p>

<p>Set with three good LOR's and all other materials.</p>

<p>This is a comprehensive list of where I am considering applying, but certainly not applying to all of them, and it still might change:</p>

<p>Rutgers - New Brunswick (permanent address in NJ)
Villanova
American
George Washington
George Mason
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Florida State
Central Florida
South Florida
UConn for Survey Research (it's an online program)
Cincinnati (Political Science and Survey Research certificate)
NC State for an MPA or MBA possibly... where I currently attend undergrad.</p>

<p>Given all of this... should I take the GRE again? I know the GRE isn't everything, and I have a good GPA and other materials to help my case, but is it still worth it to take the GRE anyway?</p>

<p>Thanks everyone.</p>

2

<p>I would just directly contact the programs and ask if they have minimums and retake based on that (and mention the rest of your application materials). </p>

<p>I don’t know enough about the MPA or MA to comment. However, I would stay away from the MBA until you have some work experience. Non-elite MBA w/o work experience won’t buy you much. Plus, you’ll have a way better idea of what to do with the MBA after being in the workforce.</p>