<p>I wonder if anyone could suggest me the PhD ChemE program. I have done a lot of researches on graduate programs, but I really have no idea what my chances to get into those programs. My GPA: 3.87/4.00. GRE: I took it twice, (1) V400 Q800 AW4.0 and (2) V630 Q770 AW3.0. Will I have chances to get into top programs like MIT, Berkeley, Princeton? Will my writing score hurt me?</p>
<p>The writing score WILL hurt if you’re applying PhD in English or PolSci, but in a life science major, normally they don’t weigh verbal/essay as much as other sections. They weigh based on Research>Rec>GPA=GREQ > GREV>GREW and of course they consider what university you graduated (e.g. GPA from top 5 weigh more than top 10-50), faculties that give you Rec, and research.</p>
<p>And it’s even more so if you’re a non-native english speaker.</p>
<p>I have a friend from Berkeley Chem with 800/500/4 with 1 year research experience (no publication) and got into CalTech Chem major. My friend is a non-native though. Another friend of mine <em>also non-native</em> from top 5 food science undergrad univ got into another top 5 food sci PhD uni with horrible GRE score (780/450/3.5) but her GPA is high and she has a lot of experiences (win competitions, research 2 years, active in food sci clubs).</p>
<p>Since your GPA and GRE Q and V (2nd) is high, if you have good experience then I don’t think those Verbal and AW matter as much, and IMO your chance is high. It won’t hurt as much as if you have 3.1 GPA with stellar AW, for example.</p>
<p>thanks for advice. I guess, I should not be worried about my GRE scores anymore. =)</p>