Does gre verbal matter for aerospace?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relevance of GRE verbal scores for admissions into aerospace engineering graduate programs. Participants explore the implications of various GRE scores, particularly focusing on the verbal component, and how these scores compare to other factors in the admissions process.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the significance of a low GRE verbal score (147) in the context of applying to graduate schools like UW, UVA, Maryland, and Purdue.
  • Another participant suggests that while the verbal score is low, it is not critical for engineering programs, emphasizing that the quantitative score is more important.
  • A third participant shares their own GRE scores and notes that their writing score negatively impacted their applications, indicating that GRE scores can serve as qualifiers but may not be the sole determining factor.
  • One contributor argues that the GRE is not a serious indicator of student abilities, highlighting the importance of undergraduate performance, personal statements, and recommendations over test scores.
  • Conversely, another participant claims that internships and extracurricular activities hold little weight in graduate admissions compared to GPA and research experience.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of GRE verbal scores and other application components, indicating that no consensus exists regarding the overall significance of GRE scores in the admissions process.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference varying experiences with GRE scores and admissions outcomes, suggesting that individual circumstances and institutional requirements may influence the perceived importance of GRE scores.

Who May Find This Useful

Prospective graduate students in aerospace engineering or related fields considering the impact of GRE scores on their applications.

member 428835
does gre verbal matter for aerospace??

if this question should be placed somewhere else, please let me know.

my question: took the gre today, scored 160 quant (85%) and 147 verbal (40%). literally studied one week for quant (not holistically) and no study for verbal.

will verbal crush me for grad schools like UW, UVA, Maryland, Purdue?

thanks all
 
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That is low for verbal but in engineering it isn't a killer. I would be more concerned with your quantitative score. That isn't terrible, but it is below average for engineers. Then again, it is the GRE, and at most schools it is perhaps the least-weighted factor in your application.
 


My first time taking I scored:
158 (77th) Verbal
164 (90th) Quant
3.5 (30th) Writing

My writing score actually got me unaccepted from several graduate schools. I had to fill out waivers to bypass admissions.

So yeah, GRE scores tend to be a qualifier. A perfect score has little to no difference from a "passing" grade, but you should double check that you have made the minimum requirements.
 


Don't take the GRE too seriously. Yeah it matters for bureaucratic purposes, but what's infinity more important is what you have done with your undergraduate career (GPA, internships, research, independent studies, extracurricular activities) and how well you write your statement of purpose. Good letters of rec. also help! I had scores similar yours (I think 85%,50% and 4.0 respectively) and got into every school I applied to, 3 of them were in the top 10 at the time (UFl, USC, VT) for aerospace engineering. The point is the test doesn't tell the admissions committee anything useful about your abilities as a student. I attribute my success to writing a kick-a$$ statement of purpose, making the most of my undergraduate career, and networking with a few really good professors.

Don't waste your time and money retaking the test unless your undergraduate career is lacking.
 


Actually no, internships and extracurricular activities matter very little for graduate school admissions. Internships are better than nothing but nowhere close to GPA, recommendations and research experience.
 

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