Advice needed on GRE scores and graduate school?

Question

I recently took the GRE. I got a 600 on the verbal, 560 on the quantitative and a 5.5 on the writing portion. Unlike most other people posting on here, my verbal skills are better than my math. Here's my question: I want to apply for the Master's in Counseling Psychology program at a local public university in MD. Do you think my scores are good enough? They only take about 1 in 5 people who apply. Of course, other factors are considered: personal statement, letters of recommendation, etc. My undergrad overall GPA was 3.42. Just thought I would throw this question out there before I waste $45 to apply. Thanks for any help!

Thanks for all of the advice! My school of choice states only "acceptable performance" is required for the GRE. I applied as non-degree seeking last year, but they wouldn't let me sign up for relevant classes (limited them to degree seeking only). Guess that defeated the purpose of trying to take classes and then getting them to transfer! In any case, I will apply and cross my fingers. Thanks again!

Answer 1

I suggest you give your university a call to see if what their minimum scores for admission are. Also, ask what the range of scores and GPA their students had who were admitted this year.

Unfortunately, you are not a "slam dunk" for getting in. If this institution accepts only one of five applicants, your prospects are not good. It may be, however, that they actually take a larger percentage of applicants than that. You really do need to talk to someone in the university's admissions office.

You might actually have a better chance of getting the information you need if you go to the admissions office in person and ask to talk with an adviser.

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Answer 2

It really depends on the program - those in the humanities will care a lot more about that GRE score, those in the sciences and engineering won't care very much at all. You'll probably have to take a TOEFL anyway, so you just have to do well on that. Subject GRE scores matter a lot more.

Answer 3

If you pass up the chance to apply, you'll spend the rest of your life wondering if you might have gotten in. It only costs you $45 to find out. It's worth the investment, even if the chance is slim. Unless the school has specific requirements listed that say they will NEVER accept students with GRE scores at your level, you ought to apply. It doesn't matter what the AVERAGE score is that they accept. It only matters that you're somewhere within the acceptable level. If that's true and you don't apply, you'll never know for certain.

Answer 4

Soemthing you could also consider doing is taking some classes as a non degree seeking student at your school. Check into it first but generally they will let you transfer up to a certain amount of credits from non degree seeking to degree seeking. The point is to do well in those classes then when you apply to grad school they see that you are commited and will perform well at the graduate level. I did this when i first started on my grad degree and i didnt have the best GRE scores but i still got into the program...i think largely in part to my excellent performance in graduate level classes.

Answer 5

Your scores are respectable, as is your GPA...numbers-wise, you seem to be a solid student...What you really need to do is contact the institution you are interested in and find out what exactly the average GRE scores are that they look for and how much weight it is given in the admission decision. That will give you the best idea of whether it is worth it or not to apply. Good luck.

Answer 6

You should apply. The truth is that GRE scores, although they do count, are not the end all-be-all we make them out to be. It's more important to present a well prepared statement of purpose, because that's the thing that lets reviewers know what you're interests are and how they fit into the program.
Good luck