I have a pretty bad GRE score. V:150; Q:155.. AW still waiting. But I'm sure it will be 4 or above..
However, I have an OK TOEFL score of 109 (R:24; L:27; S:29; W:29). Also I have more than 5 years of industrial experience (My CGPA in college was 7.2/10 when I passed out in 2007). I've worked for prominent clients like Reed Elsevier (LexisNexis) in the US and National Health Services in the UK. Have a couple of publications to my name and many awards during my 5 years of work. I'm confident of getting a couple of strong reco letters from my supervisors as well..
I want to know if my industrial background will compensate for my low GRE score or if I need to take the test again.
I'm planning on doing my MS (Computer Science or S/W Engg) in California. My preferred universities are Carnegie Mellon (Silicon Valley Campus), San Jose, SFO, East Bay State Univs, Univ of SFO, Santa Clara Univ.
I meet the min requirements of all universities. However I want some suggestion on what possibility I have in getting into one of these Universities.
I would very much like to avoid taking the GRE again as I am really bad at standardized tests...
GRE Forum Archive
6 postsPage 1 of 1
- yazh_isai
- Forum Guests
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:58 pm
- tommywallach
- Manhattan Prep Staff
- Posts: 1917
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:18 am
Re: Need advice on my score...
Hey Yazh,
There's no way to answer that question. As you recognize, the GRE is just a piece of your application. However, your TOEFL score is not going to play any part in this, as that's just a grasp of English language sort of thing, not an aptitude test. Do you have a high GPA to show academic ability? Your work history, publications, and recommendations will certainly count for a lot, but there's no way to say how much.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is get in touch with the schools in question and find out what their minimum/average score is. If you're in that range, then you're probably fine. If you're below it, then you need to expect that to matter, and you might want to take the test again (did you take a course/go through all of our books?) after studying.
Sorry not to be more helpful, but this issue is very specific to both the exact programs you're applying to and your exact background.
Good luck!
-t
There's no way to answer that question. As you recognize, the GRE is just a piece of your application. However, your TOEFL score is not going to play any part in this, as that's just a grasp of English language sort of thing, not an aptitude test. Do you have a high GPA to show academic ability? Your work history, publications, and recommendations will certainly count for a lot, but there's no way to say how much.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is get in touch with the schools in question and find out what their minimum/average score is. If you're in that range, then you're probably fine. If you're below it, then you need to expect that to matter, and you might want to take the test again (did you take a course/go through all of our books?) after studying.
Sorry not to be more helpful, but this issue is very specific to both the exact programs you're applying to and your exact background.
Good luck!
-t
- navigalactus
- Students
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:42 pm
Re: Need advice on my score...
Hey your score can't be termed as a bad score, unless you're targeting top 10 or 20 US Universities and scholarship etc. Anything above 300 is a decent score, and regarding your admission, just as tommy highlighted, you should talk to the school itself and see their requirements
- tommywallach
- Manhattan Prep Staff
- Posts: 1917
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:18 am
Re: Need advice on my score...
Hey Guys,
I'd like to weigh in on this a bit more. Just to be clear, a 150/150 is a 50th percentile score. I'm not sure I would call that particularly good. I mean, yes, it's good enough for many many schools, but most students who are researching scores and/or taking classes/reading books are hoping for better than 50th percentile. I'll simply restate what I said before: your target score should be predicated on the average score at the schools you are applying to.
Good luck!
-t
I'd like to weigh in on this a bit more. Just to be clear, a 150/150 is a 50th percentile score. I'm not sure I would call that particularly good. I mean, yes, it's good enough for many many schools, but most students who are researching scores and/or taking classes/reading books are hoping for better than 50th percentile. I'll simply restate what I said before: your target score should be predicated on the average score at the schools you are applying to.
Good luck!
-t
- haleemasj
- Students
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:38 am
Re: Need advice on my score...
What is a bad score for both sections?
- tommywallach
- Manhattan Prep Staff
- Posts: 1917
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:18 am
Re: Need advice on my score...
Hey Haleem,
It's hard to define. Anything below 50th percentile is, by definition, below average, which is one definition of bad. For many people, "bad" is any score that won't get them into Harvard. For others, it's any score that won't get them into the schools the want to go to. For yourself, research the average scores at the schools you are applying to. A "bad" score is any score that might compromise your chances of getting into that school.
-t
It's hard to define. Anything below 50th percentile is, by definition, below average, which is one definition of bad. For many people, "bad" is any score that won't get them into Harvard. For others, it's any score that won't get them into the schools the want to go to. For yourself, research the average scores at the schools you are applying to. A "bad" score is any score that might compromise your chances of getting into that school.
-t
6 posts Page 1 of 1