Concern about GRE quant score for top IR programs
Started by mnboy, Aug 24 2011 11:52 AM
10 replies to this topic
#1
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Decaf
Posted 24 August 2011 - 11:52 AM
Hey all,
I am thinking about applying to graduate school for international relations in the coming year. I'm interested in IR programs relating to China Studies. My goal schools are SAIS, Georgetown, Stanford (East Asian Studies) and UCSD (IR-PS.) I saw the sticky but have a problem specifically as it relates to my quantitative score on the GRE. It's low, and I want to know if it's a big problem for top IR programs given my background in econ and work experience.
My background:
I graduated in 2009 from a state school with a 3.74 in Global Studies (focus on international political economy) and PoliSci, magna cum laude and phi beta kappa, with a senior thesis on Sino-African trade relations. For two years during college I worked year-round almost full time (30-35 hrs a week) with a full credit course load at the US Department of Justice; prior to that I interned as an aide to a lobbyist in state government. I received a State Dept. Critical Language Scholarship to study in China in the summer of 08. After I graduated I worked at a law firm for a year. I applied and received a Fulbright scholarship to study economic development and regional planning in China. I just finished that and will go back to teach English in China at the university level for at least a year. I'd say my Mandarin Chinese is at an advanced level and will improve with another year.
Here's the problem. I took the GRE after I graduated and got the following: 660V, 650Q, 6.0 AW. The verbal score and AW I think are ok, but my quant score is what makes me nervous. I took intermediate econ courses as part of my major in college and also took statistics, getting decent grades and given my thesis' focus on trade and my Fulbright work I think I can handle any math they throw at me, even if my GRE score says otherwise. I'm wondering if a score like this necessitates retaking the GRE given that it's a component that's not weighted as heavily in the application, or if it disqualifies me entirely from those schools I listed. Letters of rec and statement of purpose shouldn't be a problem for me. I can't retake the GRE in time in China for me to apply for this cycle. Should I retake it or take my chances with the score I got and go for this cycle?
I am thinking about applying to graduate school for international relations in the coming year. I'm interested in IR programs relating to China Studies. My goal schools are SAIS, Georgetown, Stanford (East Asian Studies) and UCSD (IR-PS.) I saw the sticky but have a problem specifically as it relates to my quantitative score on the GRE. It's low, and I want to know if it's a big problem for top IR programs given my background in econ and work experience.
My background:
I graduated in 2009 from a state school with a 3.74 in Global Studies (focus on international political economy) and PoliSci, magna cum laude and phi beta kappa, with a senior thesis on Sino-African trade relations. For two years during college I worked year-round almost full time (30-35 hrs a week) with a full credit course load at the US Department of Justice; prior to that I interned as an aide to a lobbyist in state government. I received a State Dept. Critical Language Scholarship to study in China in the summer of 08. After I graduated I worked at a law firm for a year. I applied and received a Fulbright scholarship to study economic development and regional planning in China. I just finished that and will go back to teach English in China at the university level for at least a year. I'd say my Mandarin Chinese is at an advanced level and will improve with another year.
Here's the problem. I took the GRE after I graduated and got the following: 660V, 650Q, 6.0 AW. The verbal score and AW I think are ok, but my quant score is what makes me nervous. I took intermediate econ courses as part of my major in college and also took statistics, getting decent grades and given my thesis' focus on trade and my Fulbright work I think I can handle any math they throw at me, even if my GRE score says otherwise. I'm wondering if a score like this necessitates retaking the GRE given that it's a component that's not weighted as heavily in the application, or if it disqualifies me entirely from those schools I listed. Letters of rec and statement of purpose shouldn't be a problem for me. I can't retake the GRE in time in China for me to apply for this cycle. Should I retake it or take my chances with the score I got and go for this cycle?
Edited by mnboy, 24 August 2011 - 11:54 AM.
#2
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Decaf
- Program:MPP, MA-IR, Security Studies
Posted 24 August 2011 - 12:47 PM
I'm starting at SAIS this Fall, and I would say that you're fine. Yes, the GRE quant score might be a little low, but mid-600s is still a great score. The rest of your resume more than makes up for it, notably your econ and stats coursework and your China background. Focus on your rec letters and statement of purpose, and you'll be fine.
Applied: HKS, Georgetown (MPP/MSFS and SSP), Elliott, SAIS
Accepted: Georgetown (MPP/MSFS and SSP), Elliott, SAIS
Waitlisted: HKS
Accepted: Georgetown (MPP/MSFS and SSP), Elliott, SAIS
Waitlisted: HKS
#3
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Latte
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- Program:Ph.D Int'l Relations
Posted 03 September 2011 - 08:48 PM
I think you should be ok.
#4
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Macchiato
- LocationOver the Atlantic
- Program:PhD Political Science
Posted 03 September 2011 - 08:59 PM
You're a Fulbright. To quote a great film, "Chill, Winston."
(I got a SAIS offer but went abroad instead.)
(I got a SAIS offer but went abroad instead.)
Edited by balderdash, 03 September 2011 - 09:00 PM.
Decision made.
#5
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Decaf
Posted 12 October 2011 - 03:37 AM
Hi You're Fine. I had comparable GREs. Q650 V680 AW5.5. From my understanding it is in the strike zone as it comes down to quant scores and getting in. However it may be a bit outside the strike zone when it comes to getting funding from them, and that is the only way I'd ever go. Good luck.
#6
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Caffeinated
Posted 04 November 2011 - 04:05 PM
I'd like to go to SAIS but now I am concerned for the opposite reason. I got 740Q but 590V and 4.5AW on the revised GREs. I'm trying to decide if it's worth the stress to retake or whether I'm still in the SAIS range.
Edited by converse3, 04 November 2011 - 05:07 PM.
#7
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Decaf
- LocationUSA/Argentina
- Application Season:2012 Fall
- Program:IR/MPA
Posted 04 December 2011 - 06:16 PM
Hi, I'm in the exact same boat as Converse - V 590, Q 730, AWA 5.0. I'm also applying to LSE, and they say it's not necessary to send in the GRE but recommend it if you aren't positive that you're academics show quant and writing abilities.
Applied: LSE - MPA, SAIS - MA, Gtown - MSFS, GW Elliot - MA ITIP, UCL - MSc IPP
Accepted: LSE, SAIS ($), Gtown MSFS, GW Elliott ($$), UCL
Rejected: None
Attending: LSE?
Accepted: LSE, SAIS ($), Gtown MSFS, GW Elliott ($$), UCL
Rejected: None
Attending: LSE?
#8
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- Application Season:2012 Fall
- Program:Security Studies
Posted 06 December 2011 - 01:12 PM
CaptainCrunk, on 06 December 2011 - 11:31 AM, said:
At smirrah: the word is your, not you're...
At the starter of this thread: you ought to be completely fine. If it will help your peace of mind re take the gre, but from the point of view of admissions, your experience should vastly outweigh your 30-40 point lower than average gre score.
At the starter of this thread: you ought to be completely fine. If it will help your peace of mind re take the gre, but from the point of view of admissions, your experience should vastly outweigh your 30-40 point lower than average gre score.
Agreed. It's never a positive to be worse than average on a application metric, but if you were going to pick one to do so it would probably be the GRE. You can show quant proficiency in many other ways - through quant coursework, work experience, ancillary classes, etc. - that mitigate a low GRE quant score. Work experience, good undergrad GPA, etc. are not nearly as replaceable.
Accepted: GW Elliott ($ full, Wolcott Fellowship), Fletcher ($13k), SAIS ($21k), Pitt GSPIA ($25k)
Rejected: Yale Jackson, WWS, Georgetown SFS
Attending: GW Elliott
Rejected: Yale Jackson, WWS, Georgetown SFS
Attending: GW Elliott
#9
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Decaf
- LocationUSA/Argentina
- Application Season:2012 Fall
- Program:IR/MPA
Posted 20 March 2012 - 10:51 PM
In case anyone stumbles across this post for next year's applications wondering the same thing, relatively lowish verbal is by no means a deal breaker if all your other stats are good. In at all I applied to. However, higher scores would have probably made for more room for funding.
Also, boo the forum grammar police.
Also, boo the forum grammar police.
Applied: LSE - MPA, SAIS - MA, Gtown - MSFS, GW Elliot - MA ITIP, UCL - MSc IPP
Accepted: LSE, SAIS ($), Gtown MSFS, GW Elliott ($$), UCL
Rejected: None
Attending: LSE?
Accepted: LSE, SAIS ($), Gtown MSFS, GW Elliott ($$), UCL
Rejected: None
Attending: LSE?
#10
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Double Shot
- LocationAsia
- Application Season:2012 Fall
- Program:IR/MPA
Posted 21 March 2012 - 05:31 AM
I just want to add to future applicants that I scored 640Q on the GREs and got into SAIS. There is hope!
Standardized test math is not my forte, but I know from high school (4 on the AP Cacl exam) that with hard work I can do well in quantitative arenas. I took International Political Economics in college and while working after graduation took Principles of Micro and Principles of Macro at night at The Graduate School in DC. It sucked, but I made As. I doubt I would have been accepted to SAIS without these classes, which showed them I can do the work, even if it takes me a bit more effort than those of you more quantitatively-gifted folks
Standardized test math is not my forte, but I know from high school (4 on the AP Cacl exam) that with hard work I can do well in quantitative arenas. I took International Political Economics in college and while working after graduation took Principles of Micro and Principles of Macro at night at The Graduate School in DC. It sucked, but I made As. I doubt I would have been accepted to SAIS without these classes, which showed them I can do the work, even if it takes me a bit more effort than those of you more quantitatively-gifted folks
Accepted: Johns Hopkins SAIS, Georgetown Government, American SIS,Tufts Fletcher ($12k), George Washington Elliot ($10k)
Rejected: WWS
Rejected: WWS
#11
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Double Shot
- LocationIndonesia
- Application Season:2012 Fall
Posted 21 March 2012 - 12:16 PM
Yeah,, youre GRE are okay! Mine is 155Q (700) 155 V (500 something) and worse 3.5 hahahah.. But i really make sure that my SOP and analytical essay are written perfectly to make up for my terrible AW... And i managed to get through, even though GW waitlisted me.
Applied : SAIS JHU, SIPA Columbia, Elliot GWU, SIS AU, IPED GSAS Fordham
Accepted : SIPA Columbia, SAIS JHU, SIS AU, IPED GSAS Fordham
Wait listed: Elliot GWU
Rejected:
Attending: SIPA Columbia
Fellowship: Edward E. Masters Fellowship
Accepted : SIPA Columbia, SAIS JHU, SIS AU, IPED GSAS Fordham
Wait listed: Elliot GWU
Rejected:
Attending: SIPA Columbia
Fellowship: Edward E. Masters Fellowship
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