Should I retake the GRE? 450/800

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the decision to retake the GRE after achieving a score of 450/800, with a perfect quantitative score but a low verbal score. The participant aims for a mechanical engineering master's program at prestigious universities like Penn State, Stanford, MIT, or CalTech. Feedback from professors indicates that the verbal and writing sections are prioritized, particularly the writing section, which is crucial for demonstrating the ability to produce coherent theses and publications. The participant's GPA is approximately 3.5, and they express confidence in improving their quantitative score to 750 or higher.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of GRE scoring and its components (verbal, quantitative, writing)
  • Familiarity with graduate school admission criteria
  • Knowledge of the importance of writing skills in academic settings
  • Awareness of the impact of GPA on graduate school applications
NEXT STEPS
  • Research GRE preparation strategies for improving verbal and writing scores
  • Explore graduate school admission statistics for mechanical engineering programs
  • Investigate the role of GRE scores in specific universities' admissions processes
  • Learn about effective thesis writing and publication strategies in engineering
USEFUL FOR

Prospective graduate students in engineering, academic advisors, and anyone interested in understanding the GRE's impact on graduate school admissions.

DyslexicHobo
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Hi all,

I'd like to enter a mechanical engineering master's program at a respectable university (I'm aiming for at least Penn State. I'd LOVE to get into Stanford/MIT/CalTech). I took the GRE for the first time today. I was surprised by both my verbal and quantitative scores because my verbal was very low and my quant was perfect. As I understand, most good universities are looking for at least 500/700. Will my perfect quant score be enough to make up for my lousy verbal? I'm confident that I can get 750+ consistently on quant.

I haven't gotten my writing results back, but I'm expecting a 3-3.5.

I have a ~3.5 GPA

Thanks for any input or suggestions.
 
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This is what I have heard from a few professors now that I have entered graduate school: they care more about the verbal and writing sections, and the most about the writing sections of the GRE. Not quite sure about the reasoning on that one. I think they want to know that you will be able to put together a coherent thesis and publications.

As to the value of retaking it - I am not sure. I have heard some schools care a lot about the GRE, but I know mine puts less weight into it.

Second note: A few of my friends and I all got perfects on the quant section - it seems that is common for people coming out of science and engineering.
 
Eh.. your username says you're dyslexic. Is this true?
 

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