"I'm a low-income, first-generation college student applying to a graduate program in urban planning. I scored over 1000 altogether on the old GRE but my quantitative score is pretty low (420). Since retaking the GRE is not an option right now, what can I do to strengthen my application? My GPA is well over 3.8 but I'm a bit worried that too much emphasis will be placed on my low quantitative score."First off, congrats on your forthcoming application to graduate school. I love seeing first generation and low income college students go on to graduate education.
Now, stop worrying about your "low" GRE score for now. Instead of being preoccupied with whether or not your score is competitive, find out if your score is competitive. Start with the school's website to see if they have any information about typical GRE scores from applicants or admitted students.
If you don't find anything on the website, it is totally appropriate to email or call the graduate admissions office and inquire about it. Ask "What do you consider a competitive GRE score from strong applicants?" and "How much emphasis is typically put on the quantitative GRE score?"
When you do email or call the admissions office, don't go into specifics about your score (unless they ask you directly). Remember, your goal is just information gathering, not to convince the graduate admissions office of anything.
Keep in mind that you should find out how each school you are planning on applying to treats GRE scores. It can vary widely from program to program, even in the same discipline.
In the event you find out that your GRE score is in fact not as competitive as you would like, you can do a few things to to strengthen your overall application. First, focus on writing an excellent admission essay (statement of purpose, personal statement, etc.). You have the option of addressing the discrepancy between your overall GRE score and quantitative score in your admission essay, just make sure you are not whining about it.
You should also focus on getting strong letters of recommendation from your professors. If you haven't already, building relationships with faculty goes a long way in getting strong letters of recommendation.
I hope you already have done some related experiences, like leadership experience, volunteer work, jobs, research, and internships, too. If you haven't, there is no time like now to do something the shows your dedication and passion to your discipline.
Generally speaking, writing an excellent admission essay, having strong letters of recommendation, and having some related experience under your belt will help you build a competitive graduate school application. However, if you decide to wait and take the GRE again later, make sure you know how the schools you are applying to look at multiple GRE scores. Find out if each school takes the most recent score, only the highest score, or averages the two score.
Good luck building a strong application to graduate school!
Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.
Great advice!
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