What is the importance of the General GRE for grad school admissions?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the significance of the General GRE in the context of applying to graduate schools, particularly for students aiming to pursue high energy theory in physics. Participants explore concerns about GRE scores, their implications for admissions, and the relative importance of different components of the application.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses anxiety about the General GRE, particularly regarding their verbal score due to being a non-native English speaker, and questions how much it could affect their chances of admission to top schools.
  • Another participant suggests that a high quantitative score (700-800) is expected from physics students and emphasizes that the Physics GRE is considered more important than the General GRE by admissions committees.
  • A different viewpoint indicates that a poor verbal GRE score may not be a significant barrier to admission if the applicant has strong letters of recommendation and performs well on the quantitative section.
  • One participant reassures the original poster that their strong GPA, graduate courses, and research experience suggest they have a good chance of being accepted into top graduate programs.
  • Another participant expresses concern about their own prospects in light of the original poster's worries, indicating a shared anxiety about the admissions process.
  • One participant advises that improving English skills is beneficial beyond just the GRE, suggesting a focus on long-term language development.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of concerns and reassurances regarding the General GRE's impact on graduate school admissions. There is no consensus on the extent to which the General GRE affects chances of admission, particularly regarding the verbal section versus the quantitative section.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying expectations for GRE scores based on the applicant's field of study and the importance of other application components, such as letters of recommendation and research experience. There are also differing opinions on how much weight the General GRE carries compared to the Physics GRE.

Who May Find This Useful

Prospective graduate students in physics or related fields, particularly those concerned about standardized testing and language proficiency, may find this discussion relevant.

tim_lou
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I'll be applying to grad school next year. I'm slightly worried about the General GRE.

Although it might sound superficial, my goal is to become a high energy theorist. So I'd like to apply to some top grad school like Princeton and what not.

I have quite a solid background, I've done research the past 2 years, first one is a REU regarding a medium ion accelerator, the second one is with the high energy group in my university (mainly coding). I'll try to get into somewhere again next summer.

By the time I am graduated, I'll have finished a standard undergraduate curriculum, a couple graduate courses (the quantum fields sequence, GR, and a couple other courses). I'll also have had some math background (the standard stuffs, topology, analysis and maybe more next year). My GPA is expected to be quite high. Right now it's 4.0 (there is no A+ in my university so the maximum is A).

I talked to a couple people and I think realistically, there are some decent chances for getting into top graduate schools. However, I've heard that they will throw away applications with low general GRE score.

I'm not a native English speaker and my vocabularies aren't that good at all. I may very well score poorly on the General GRE. I've practiced on some physics GRE material and I should do fine in that case.

So, how much can a General GRE hurt me? what kind of score do I need? what are my chances (realistically speaking) of getting into top schools given that I do well in General GRE? and what if I do poorly on it? Any comment is welcome. Feel free to bash me if what I think is wrong.
 
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Probably as you are a Physics student they will expect the quantitative section of your General GRE to be high (700-800).

From what I've read in this board the Physics GRE is way more important than the General GRE for the committee.

Good luck!
 
You should do well on the quantitative portion of the general GRE e.g. 25% of students who go on to earn math PhDs score perfect on this section.

I don't think a bad verbal GRE will stop you from going to these top schools, as long as your have good letters of recommendation. You should practice your english though, since it is not uncommon for grad schools to advise you to take easy classes (that would be a review for you) until your english gets better.
 
4.0 GPA, grad courses, research experience...I'd say your chances are extremely good of getting into some top grad schools.
 
Thanks for the comforting comments. I tend to get extra anxious about certain issues. I guess I don't need to cram that 3000 word list in the near future.
 
Well if you have a hard time getting into good grad schools, I'm going to have to start getting very worried myself...
 
I think you might be confusing measurement and ability. If your English is poor, work on improving it. It will help you with your entire career, not just this one test.
 

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