GREs enough to get into top schools?

[dexgen]

Hi,

I'm wondering if the GRE scores are enough to get into top schools. I got a 990 in the nov 2008 physics GRE and my General scores were also decent (800 on analytical, 620 (89th percentile) on verbal and 4.5 on writing). I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if these scores will guarantee entry into top grade universities (Harvard, Ivy league) or they'd require more. (I'm hoping that I'd also get good recommendation letter.)

Thanks

[abeboparebop]

Top grade universities will almost certainly require research experience, unless there's some compelling reason why you haven't done any.

Depends where you're from, too -- as a domestic with an otherwise average application, that will give you a strong chance. As an international, you'd probably need more.

[dexgen]

I am currently in a direct PhD program in Canada. GPA of 3.85 in undergrad. A lot of research experience but no publications (I attribute this to bad luck among some other factors.)

[secander2!]

Nope, the cutoff for entrance to the Ivys is a 1000 this year, 990 just won't cut it anymore

Of course, you're never guaranteed entrance, but with good grades, good recommendations, good GREs, and good research, I would imagine that you'll be able to get into the majority of top schools.

[cato88]

Hi,

I'm wondering if the GRE scores are enough to get into top schools. I got a 990 in the nov 2008 physics GRE and my General scores were also decent (800 on analytical, 620 (89th percentile) on verbal and 4.5 on writing). I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if these scores will guarantee entry into top grade universities (Harvard, Ivy league) or they'd require more. (I'm hoping that I'd also get good recommendation letter.)

Thanks

You have a perfect score in PGRE and you're asking if thats enough to get into the top schools,Is this a joke????

[xudis149]

A Forward Flying 2 ½ Somersault from a 10m diving board is mandatory for admission to TOP schools this year...
get your swimsuits ready...

[Helio]

Here the question seems like a joke to most, but it is honestly valid. I am going to give my 2 cents guaranteed no high probability yes. not shooting your hopes down here. just the whole process is a crap shoot anyway. You will get into somewhere around harvard, stanford MIT, UChicago, one of them but not all, it is just that weird research orientation, departmental requirements, et. etc flow into this process that you never know. i am still hoping for a miracle on my part

[stardust]

The schools may wonder why you are leaving the grad program you are in.

I think those scores will guarantee you get considered at least and not weeded out,
but no, not a guaranteed acceptance. You have to match the research interests of
the people who have open spaces available. If a school say, got more acceptances back
a year ago, they accept less people this year. The schools also look to balance out
diversity and such. They do look at other things like research experience. I don't
think publications are really required at this stage, so I don't think they will hold that
against you. You need 3 outstanding letters, not just 1. What I heard they look for
in letters is at least 1 recommender who is willing to jump up and down for you. They also
look for letter writers they heard of. You have a chance certainly, but not a guarantee.

[valkyrie]

I happen to be an undergrad at an Ivy, and the way our head of Physics department put it, was basically "Recommendations and research experience are what gets you in, test scores and GPA are things that can keep you out."

So no, a perfect GRE score will not guarantee you acceptance - but since you also have research experience and hopefully good letters, you should have a very strong chance.

[G01]

I happen to be an undergrad at an Ivy, and the way our head of Physics department put it, was basically "Recommendations and research experience are what gets you in, test scores and GPA are things that can keep you out."

I agree. I think the best anyone can say is that your scores will not keep you out of anywhere, but no score is going to guarantee acceptance.

[naroays]

I echo what valkyrie & G01 have said. The GRE is not important, your research experience is.

[larry burns]

I happen to be an undergrad at an Ivy, and the way our head of Physics department put it, was basically "Recommendations and research experience are what gets you in, test scores and GPA are things that can keep you out."

I agree. I think the best anyone can say is that your scores will not keep you out of anywhere, but no score is going to guarantee acceptance.

so for a applicant with average stats aiming for a top 10 school, is there really any difference between an good PGRE and an excellent one? What incentive is there to aim for say a 950 vs a 850? or 900 vs 800?

[kroner]

It will make your application a little better.

[WhoaNonstop]

I happen to be an undergrad at an Ivy, and the way our head of Physics department put it, was basically "Recommendations and research experience are what gets you in, test scores and GPA are things that can keep you out."

I agree. I think the best anyone can say is that your scores will not keep you out of anywhere, but no score is going to guarantee acceptance.

so for a applicant with average stats aiming for a top 10 school, is there really any difference between an good PGRE and an excellent one? What incentive is there to aim for say a 950 vs a 850? or 900 vs 800?

The question is, if you're capable of it... Why not improve it?

You want to feel confident in your application and the best way is to have everything as good as you can possibly make it.

-Riley

[InquilineKea]

What if you have a very high PGRE score, but a GPA of around 3.15? (last 2 year GPA of 3.6)? With some research experience (non-exceptional)

[grae313]

What if you have a very high PGRE score, but a GPA of around 3.15? (last 2 year GPA of 3.6)? With some research experience (non-exceptional)

I feel like you've been around here way too long to be asking this sort of question, and I bet you know the answer you just want to hear it from someone else.

[InquilineKea]

^Well, I know that it would definitely be good enough for Tier 2 schools. But honestly, the average PGRE scores for Tier 1 schools tend to go well into the 800s. Do they just accept most applicants who have scores above 950 or something? I was imagining that PGRE scores > 900 would HELP, but would not be sufficient in themselves, especially if the rest of your application just isn't that strong. All the advisers tell me that you need *strong* PGREs, *strong* research, *strong* GPA, and *strong* recommendations for Tier 1s (of course, you can be weak in *one* area, but then you must be phenomenal in all the others). Are they actually wrong?

Honestly, I'd imagine that most people with phenomenal PGRE scores would also be strong on most other aspects (not necessarily all of them, however). The sample size of high PGRE + low GPA (in non-Caltech/Chicago institutions) seems to be very low.

But then, re-reading the replies in this thread and thinking about it more, it means that it will definitely put your application under consideration (MAYBE that DOES mean that it psychologically cancels out the effect of poor GPA, ESPECIALLY if last 2-year GPA is decent). But you'd still most likely need strong research. That being said, I'm wondering about the case where the person has average research.

I do, however, feel like I'd get a much harsher response if I posted this on Physics Forums instead of here.

[Ryalnos]

GRE in the 90% + range and high grades will make the top 10 no longer laugh at your application (I exaggerate a wee bit here).

From there it will vary quite a bit, depending on your research experience and recommendation letters as well as the whims of the committee ("luck").