<p>I'm just curious. Don't even know if I'll go to grad school but I want to take the test before they change it....</p>
<p>I don't get your question. Are you looking for an MA? A PhD? Looking to do a professional program like SAIS or KSG?</p>
<p>And if you can't decide between history and IR, definitely reconsider grad school (which you seem to be.)</p>
<p>I'm just exploring my options at this point, so I guess for all possibilities I need to look at GREs</p>
<p>Sure, but I think you're better off having a more solid plan at hand before you fuss over the GRE. You don't want to take it if you don't have to. The test itself isn't too bad, but the less time you deal with ETS the better.</p>
<p>For the record, top history programs are usually looking for 90th+ percentile on verbal, and something not terrible on quantitative.</p>
<p>Top IR programs, especially the professional ones, are looking for 90th+ in both verbal and quant.</p>
<p>if a good GRE score won't get u in, and a bad GRE won't keep u out, what exactly is the point of the GRE?</p>
<p>the GRE element in an application seems to have the characteristics of an oxymoron. its important if its good, but its not important if its bad, but its also not important if its good, but its important if its bad.</p>
<p>i think the idea is that the GRE probably won't be the thing that makes you competitive for top programs or not...that is, a great score on it won't negate a mediocre academic record, and vice versa. i'd imagine it would possibly make-or-break you in terms of final decisions (down to 5 candidates for 1 last spot), but your transcript, SoP, and LoR's will be far more important in getting you to that final applicant pool. but it does seem you want to be in the 90+ percentile on both sections for top PhD programs, and maybe slightly lower for masters programs (80's, maybe?).</p>
<p>I am a historian in an IR masters program (Uchicago) so I understand where you're coming from. What exactly do you want to do with your degree? The more you know the better. I went into an IR program because I used to work a think tank and loved doing that and I knew that IR was probably more lucrative than my other possible route, a history Ph.D. I don't regret the decision but I do have plenty of moments of frustration and doubt because a lot of IR is theory and political science stuff that doesn't interest me. Also I'm a bit of an odd one out in terms of my perspectives on and approaches to things since I have a history training and outlook not a poli. sci. one. But I also take lots of history classes and love that part.</p>
<p>Okay, so for most masters programs in government/IR you have to make a distinction between a MA (in which you need work experience, because it is a professional degree) and a PHD (which is a more academic orientated degree) correct? Now, could you enter a MA and decide you want to pursue a PHD or by the same token, drop out of a PHD when you have your masters? I am just a little bit confused to how this works. Also, the KSG and SAIS programs offer masters degrees correct? Thank you!</p>
<p>Well generally you cannot get a Ph.D in IR, it has to be poli sci or gov. or something. You can get a MA in IR and then continue to a Ph.D. And yes, SAIS and the like are MAs.</p>
<p>josephine,</p>
<p>You're right for the most part, but I know that SAIS and IR/PS both offer PhD programs that are for IR. SIPA offers something even rarer, a PhD in "sustainable development." Talk about pigeonholing. </p>
<p>I may be wrong, but I think a few of the other IR schools also have PhD programs, but from what I can tell, the PhDs from these schools have a harder time with placement than those from the "regular" campuses...</p>
<p>Regarding the GRE I would shoot for mid-600's in both sections or above. Most schools care about your percentile scores, so really 88th percentile or above would be a good goal. Your analytical writing should probably be either a 5.5 or a 6 for the most competitive programs. From what I have gathered from most competitive schools for a History PhD, it really varies. Some professors and adcoms really care about your research interests, recs, and your GPA and then weigh in your GRE scores. Candidates entering with MA's or other graduate degrees/work experience in the field probably have a slight edge as well. I would assume, however, that HYP will pre-screen their applicants' GRE scores before it reaches the adcom or professor which would be consistent with the other graduate divisions of these schools. Has anyone learned anything different? Irregardless, I hope this info helps.</p>
<p>mid-600s in both? to be competive for what?</p>
<p>I took the practice test without any preparation and got 650 verbal and 700 quantitiative.</p>
<p>If an average student from Penn can get a score like that without any prep, I don't imagine it's what The Best of the Best are looking for..</p>
<p>JohnnyK,</p>
<p>The average student from Penn is well-above average at most places. For IR master's programs, that's a pretty good score. About what I got.</p>
<p>Yes, it sounds like you should be fine from Penn. A good undergraduate/graduate institution, from what I have gathered, should give you an edge in the admissions process because of the strength of curriculum or the reputation of the professors providing your recommendations. Numbers aren't everything, however, and if your statement of purpose or your research interests aren't suited to a particular program it will be tough going. Decent GRE scores, and even a great GPA, will seem irrelevant if the program isn't suited to your needs.</p>