PA2016! Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Hi All, I am in need of some advice. I am kinda down in the dumps right now. I am currently in summer classes, and registered for my final semester of undergraduate before I hopefully enter a PA program next year (May 2014). I feel as if thought I am a very competitive applicant, but I now having something that really puts a dampener on my application....My GRE score. I have spend the past 2 months studying really hard and was consistently getting 150 verbal, 155 Quant. Which i was very pleased with. I took the test today, and felt really good about it....until my scores popped up on the screen...146 Quant, 145 Verbal. I almost threw up in my seat. I am trying to decide if I want to retake the GRE...I just felt so good about the test, and don't know how much better I could do since I felt so good about it...I was really bummed out. Attached is my prereq. Work....What do you guys think?? Retake or Submit as is???? Bio 1- B Bio 2- A Bio 2 Lab-A Cell Bio- A Genetics- A Pathophysiology- A A&PI- A Lab-A A&PII-A Lab-A Psychology-A Gen Chem 1- B Lab-A Gen Chem 2- C Lab- A Organic- A Lab- A College Algebra- A Statistics-A Biochemistry- In progress Microbiology w/ Lab- In progress Medical Terminology- In progress Cumulative GPA -3.8 Pt. Care.- >1,000 hours working as a EMT-B providing 911 services Shadowing- Around 50 hours. One in Family Practice, One in Oncology. What do you guys think??? Retake it or submit as is??? :sadface::sadface::sadface: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarheelGirlx3 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 When you say you were studying, exactly how were you going it? I say this because if you just studied the material and made scores in the 150s that's one thing..anyone can master material with practice. What you need to do though (if you didn't) is to keep practicing TIMED tests, otherwise you will not get used to the format. I took a practice test after princeton review without a time limit, made a 311. Since then I have been taking full length timed exams making around a 305 each time. So timing makes a difference! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj10 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Personally I would probably retake it. I think the rest of your stats look great though. Don't freak out! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj10 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 What you need to do though (if you didn't) is to keep practicing TIMED tests, otherwise you will not get used to the format. I agree with this bit too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarheelGirlx3 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Oh and yea...I would def retake or else it will look like grade inflation or something. Your GPA is great...just need the GRE to match! You can do it..I recommend a GRE prep though it will help with the timing issues. Before I started with Princeton Review I was scoring about a 293, and have got up above 300 pretty consistent, def worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktheshark89 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 I would submit as is, and then retake and update the schools with your new score. You have an excellent GPA and a decent amount of healthcare experience. I would check to make sure that there is no minimum posted on the websites for the schools you are applying to (i.e. some schools do have a min of 300 on the GRE to be competitive). For many schools, the GRE is the least important part of the application, so its not something I would worry unduly about. Also, as previously mentioned, many schools do not even require the GRE. Retake it and get your 300+, but don't fret. Given your GPA and 1,000 hours of experience, you are a competitive applicant at many schools with or without your GRE score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj10 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 I would submit as is, and then retake and update the schools with your new score. Yeah definitely don't delay turning in your app because of your current score. Submit to CASPA as soon as possible and then send your new scores later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA2016! Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Tarheelgirl- Thanks for the advice, but unfortunately I was practicing with timed test. I have complete two prep books, front to back, done all the practice test, and complete over 5 timed practice test. IDK what happened........ To everyone else, thanks for the advise. I am hoping to submit by Aug 1st-Aug 15th. Does anybody know the breakdown of how long it takes for the scores to be processed? Reason I am asking is because in order to be submitted by August should I retake the GRE ASAP, or do it mid July to give myself a little bit more time if I am able. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timon Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Lots of programs on the west coast don't require the GRE. Besides, isn't the GRE more of a formality to say you took it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patachok Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 My advice: RETAKE. I was in a similar situation, except that my GPA was 3.97 (s3.91), hce > 8000 hours as a neurophysiology tech, and GRE was 302.5. I did get in last cycle, but also had 3 rejection letters (and I do believe GRE played a role). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarheelGirlx3 Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 OP, since you practice timed tests, what do you think the issue was? I am getting pretty freaked out by it now...I need at least a 300, and now I am really worried I will not get close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA2016! Posted June 11, 2013 Author Share Posted June 11, 2013 Just got my scores from ETS. I am planning to retake in August. I want to submit by August 1st so should I go ahead and have these scores sent to CASPA that way schools have something and then just put my plan to retake date on CASPA so they can see that I am planning to retake it? I could then resend scores from the test center once I am done taking the test correct??? Thanks for all the advise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktcan10 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Make sure your schools don't have a minimum GRE requirement before you submit your old scores. I know that several of mine have specific requirements about the submission method of GRE scores and also minimum requirements (like 300 or has to be self-reported on CASPA, etc.). But besides that, see if any of your schools have an applicant profile and compare your GRE to the class average. I had a lot of success with Kaplan GRE prep, so you might want to consider investing in their books or online classes. I did the online full GRE prep, and my end score (I just took it on Friday) was 162 verbal, 152 quant, 314 cumulative...higher than I started with, and they have timed computerized tests that literally look exactly like the ETS tests. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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