'Adequate' GRE scores?? Are my gre scores enough??

[miseokhu]

I know this is a somewhat annoying question,
but my recent GRE test scores were V 168/ Q 164/ Writing 4.5
I'm worried about my writing scores, ever since I've heard that normally students who go for Doctoral programs in the Humanties have 5.0-5.5 writing scores.
I'm aiming for a masters (and gradually a doctors degree)in Humanities. I've done some searching, but it seems that nobody is occupied in the writing scores as I am; maybe everyone else has a relatively easy time on the writing section??
I'm in need of help- is 4.5 too average?

[tommywallach]

Hey Miseokhu,

So any question about whether scores are adequate is entirely dependent on the exact school/program. I do not, sadly, have any of these memorized, so the best thing to do is just call the admissions department and ask their opinion on it. A 4.5 is 73rd percentile, which isn't in any way terrible. The primary point of the essay is to get rid of people who SERIOUSLY don't speak English. For most programs, a 4.5 is just fine.

That being said, for a doctoral program in the humanities, I do think there's a reasonable chance you'd want to be a bit higher. Again, best thing to do is call the schools you want to apply to and ask them.

Also, if you've only taken the GRE once, I always recommend giving it another go. You might see all your scores improve. Just make sure you work out your essay issue so you don't have the same problem again.

Good luck!

-t