Re-take or apply and see how it goes?

[demidenkomichael]

So I just took my GRE test today (first time, if not counting my 5 practice tests). I spent 100+hrs prepping for it and my last two manhattan prep tests were v.63rd/q:65th percentiles. My scores today, unofficial, were v:153 q: 154 (59th/56th percentiles - according to the current scales). I don't have my AWA, but all practice tests that offered it I've always scored 4.5 - 5 on them.

First, the test... I was doing well on both my quant sections, but then I had to do a third quant section and not a "research" section as they refer to it. Why is that?

My predicament is this - I'm wanting to apply to Cognitive Psych grad programs at UC Davis, San Diego, Berkeley, UC Boulder and U Washington and OHSU. UCSC, Berkeley and UW their "average" accepted numbers at 150-162ish verbal and 158-160 quant. I have almost 5 years of research experience (clinical, animal and human services research). My undergrad Psych GPA is 3.83..
English is my second language - moved to the US at 6 and never spoke English in the household. So never got to properly develop that aspect.
Seven months ago I was in the hospital setting Guinness World Records with my blood sodium level and flirting with brain damage. A little over 5 months ago I had brain surgery to remove a tumor on the pituitary. So it's been quite the last 6-months...

So my question is, would my chances be minimal getting into these programs or is there a chance to have them overlook the mediocre GRE scores and notice my experiences/GPA? Will they many of them not look at my application if my scores don't make it?
How many think I should bite the bullet and retake the test?...

[tommywallach]

Hey Demi,

First of all, the best thing you can do in these situations is talk to the programs in question. They will be able to tell you better than anyone else can. That said, I do have a few thoughts:

1) It is certainly possible that a given program would overlook your sub-average (but still respectable) scores in light of your situation. It just depends on the program.

2) I don't ever see the harm in taking the test again...so why not take it again?

3) The research section is always just another quant or verbal section. However, it could be the FIRST quant section you got (i.e. it isn't necessarily the THIRD one), so there's no way to know. Basically, you have a 5-section test, all of which you have to take seriously.

Hope that helps!

-t

[demidenkomichael]

Hey Tommy,

Thanks for your response. Two things have caused me to waver between retaking & not retaking - the work I put in and the results I got and then the fee $190 to take it again. I've been more frugal due to extremely high medical bills I've had from the last few months... Then the thought of putting in 100+ hours and scoring what I did, it's discouraging (especially after taking two practice tests in the last three weeks before the test and scoring in mid/upper 60th percentile).

However after further consultation, I think in the long run retaking it might save me money (i.e., applying and not getting in may cost me ahving to reapply again the following year. Which is $500+), and increase my odds. I ordered the Kaplan review text to add to the Manhattan prep materials. My goal is to practice problems until I can't get them wrong, or at least with 80% accuracy. At that point I will take two additional practice tests and see if I can maintain a 70th percentile for both. Then only I would retake it..
I've put in this much work, so might as well do a little more and not let it wither away..

[tommywallach]

I think it's a good plan. Let me know if there's any other advice I can offer!

-t