Low(ish) GRE Verbal score - end of the world?

[bluewave13]

I'm applying to grad school in the fall (a mix of materials science and applied physics programs), and I took the general GRE a month or so ago. I got an 800 for the quantitative but a 550 on the verbal (and a 5.5 on the writing, for what that's worth). I'm otherwise well-qualified (3.8-ish GPA at an Ivy League school, research experience, etc.), but I'm applying to the top programs where everyone is well-qualified and don't want my application thrown out due to a low GRE score. For schools that do specify a cutoff or minimum "competitive" score, that minimum is right around 550 for verbal. Even worse, Berkeley (one of my top choices) says that all scores need to be 85th percentile or above to be "competitive," but a 550 verbal is closer to a 75th percentile score. But then again, a lot of other schools don't seem to care that much.

So...should I shell out another $100+ to take the test again, or should I save my energy and money? I'd like to be able to focus on preparing applications and studying for the GRE physics. However, I consistently got 50 points higher on the verbal sections of the computed-based practice tests I took, so I'm pretty confident that I could bring my score up with some preparation. Do schools really look at the verbal score, though?

This is all kind of embarrassing...I've never had much trouble with standardized tests before, and I can write well, but I'm horrible at memorizing vocabulary. Any study tips?

 

[ice109]

the best way to learn vocab is to read it. unfortunately that's a tough way to prepare for a test. take it again if for nothing else than the comfort that if you don't get in you know it's not over a silly thing like a retake

 

[creepypasta13]

i emailed all of the top pure math phD schools. most of them said that they don't even care about verbal scores and they don't have the average scores with them. the only exception is Michigan, which said that the avg verbal score of their accepted students is 540

 

[Office_Shredder]

And lo, there will come a time when he of prophecy is admitted to graduate school, and ye though his quantitative GRE score be high, and his writing score excellent, all shalt see his verbal score to be substandard. And there wilt be those who say "Let not this man of a lowish verbal score be admitted to grad school" but they will be ignored by the sinners and non-believers.

And it shall come to pass that in these dark times, the end of the world is nigh"

You decide for yourself