<p>My name is Mariana and I am currently applying to Master's programs in French at Columbia, Princeton, and the CUNY Graduate Center. </p>
<p>I got a hideous score on the GRE: a 750...yes combined. (440V 310Q). Obviously, the first thing that occurred to me was to not even apply to ANY of these schools with such horrible scores despite all my other solid factors in my application package.</p>
<p>But according to some professors and students accepted into Humanities programs, (I stress this since I understand that accepted GRE scores vary according to the type of academic program one is applying to) the admissions committee will weigh out the personal statement, the writing sample, excellent reference letters, a very high GPA, undergraduate transcript, and even worldly experience. </p>
<p>In my case, I have a current 3.8 GPA, studied abroad in Paris for almost 2 years and got good grades, a strong personal statement which has been revised already by professors in my major field, letters of recommendation from tenured and distinguished faculty, and a 20 page research paper on a specific topic in French studies for a French honors course which I aced. Could it be plausible that I have a slim chance of getting in? at least wait-listed?</p>
<p>So my questions: </p>
<p>1) I definitely want to take the GRE again but I can only take it once per month. When I will be allowed to take it again (which is in January), the scores will get to the schools way after the application due date. Could admissions offices be flexible and accept GRE scores after the application due date?</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>2) Should I just forget about grad school and not apply this year? It seems there is absolutely NO chance I can get into ANY school with this scores. </p>
<p>I appreciate any advice. Thanks to you all.</p>
<p>Not my field, but my fear is that your application might just be tossed before the rest of it is considered. You have to consider that other people might have all that you have, but even better GPA, and great GRE scores. Yes, the GRE has nothing to do with French, but to me, I mean, the math is highschool math, and 1/2 of the verbal is common sense, with RC and sentence completion, so I don’t know, it seems sketchy that you have a high GPA but really, really, bombed the GRE. That’s what the adcoms might see. </p>
<p>But, I don’t know, I think you can apply, if you have the money, see what happens, and reapply next year. The GRE is a way to sort people out, imo… and so, be aware of that… because most people applying have strong SOPs, great LORs, high marks, etc…</p>
<p>with scores that low, your application will almost certainly get tossed. and while your GPA is excellent, what sort of undergrad are you going to? if you have that GPA from a top 10 school, then not every program will discard your application right away because of the GRE. if you don’t come from a really stand-out school, you might be sunk everywhere.</p>
<p>doing the test in january will probably not matter for any program. most often state that the december tests are the absolute latest they will except, and others even have november deadlines for test results.</p>
<p>first, you should’ve taken the GRE months ago so that you would have time to retake it if you bombed. now that that’s out of the way…</p>
<p>i’d recommend applying next year instead. i know that sounds harsh, so if you want to send out applications this year anyway, then go ahead, but know that you risk throwing your money out with a lot of schools.</p>
<p>borderline scores are one thing, but that score really is dismally low. it doesn’t necessarily prove that you aren’t bright or good at school. the GRE is mostly about learning how to take the test, not learning the content. what it does tell grad programs, however, is that you didn’t prepare for it adequately. it was a hoop you didn’t jump through. even if you get into a masters program (and you may need to aim lower than those schools to be safe), you’ll need to retake your GREs if you want to do a PhD anywhere. so if you’re thinking about the PhD down the road, wait a year and apply next fall with much better scores behind you.</p>
<p>Mariana, if you apply this cycle, you may need some extra help from your professors. Explain to them the situation, and ask them what they advise. One or more may have connections at the programs where you are applying, and they may be able to convince a colleague to either look at your application or wait for January scores. (Sign up for January 2, if they will!)</p>
<p>If there is nothing they can, or will, do, then you might want to wait for the next cycle. I would hate to see all your hard work disregarded because of a standardized test.</p>
<p>I have heard it is pretty hard to get into any programs if your GRE is below 1000. And you are looking at superstar schools there.
Can you apply to schools that don’t look at the GRE?</p>
<p>Alternatively, come study in London. Great city, great schools, Paris is 2 hours away [30 mins by jet], we dont have GRE tests, your GPA and experience gets you into any MFL grad programme you want.</p>
<p>And I am always happy to show you around. :)</p>
<p>I sorta have a feeling that the OP is ■■■■■■■■ in some sort. A 310 Q? To be honest, most likely a mildly above average elementary schooler can score higher than that.</p>
<p>I always say, why not try? The only thing is the fianacial commitment. Each application has a fee but the GRE is only a test of how wel you take the GRE, not how well you will do in graduate school. Apply and see what happens then if you dont get in talk to faculty on how to improve your application. Also take a GRE class or get study books b/c it has been proven that with studying, your score will improve.</p>