Lowish Verbal GRE Score and Top Physics Grad Programs

[menestjl]

Hi Everyone,

I just finished up the GRE with with a Verbal:530, Q:780, A:5.5 and was wondering how much that low verbal score would hurt my chances at top grad schools in astrophysics.

I know a lot of averages are ~600ish, but I have the following on my resume which I think is rather good.

Vanderbilt University: Overall GPA 3.85: Physics GPA 3.95
-2011 Goldwater Scholar
-Working on a current publication in theoretical astrophysics on big bang photosynthesis
-Winner of Vanderbilt's McMinn Honors Scholarship (2 sophomores get it each year for full ride/have had it then for a year)
-Winner of Vanderbilt's Ernst Jones Physics Scholarship
-RISE program in Germany last summer
-Two Summers working at ORNL in nanoscience
-Poster presentations at National conferences during High School
-Have finished my undergraduate courses so next semester (my senior year) I am taking 4 graduate courses and doing senior research

Taking the physics GRE in October and expect that I'll do pretty well ~850ish.

Thoughts on my low Verbal... Worth taking it again or just rest on the rest of application to pull it up?

 

[R.Mesri]

A low Verbal score could certainly hurt your chances at top grad schools, depending on the school's admissions criteria. You should check with the particular schools you are interested in to see what their admissions requirements are. Some may place more emphasis on the Verbal score than others, so it is important to find out what the expectations are. It may be worth taking the GRE again if you think you can improve your Verbal score significantly. However, if you think you can only make a small improvement, it might not be worth the effort and time. In any case, it is important that you focus on the rest of your application - such as your academic accomplishments, research experience, publications, and awards - to demonstrate your qualifications for the program. Good luck!