<p>I have a friend who has taken the GRE twice, and is curious about PhD programs in History (Renaissance or Medieval).</p>
<p>On the first GRE he got a 490 V and a 710 Q.
The second time, he got a 590 V and a 750 Q on the GRE</p>
<p>He goes to a small liberal arts college with no stellar reputation.</p>
<p>My friend is a double major in History and Mathematics, with a minor in Art History. His GPA is a 3.9/4.0, with approx. a 3.95 GPA in History. He is a member of the History National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, Art National Honor Society, and Jesuit National Honor Society. He has studied Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish in college as well. He participates in various activities on campus, and the letters of rec with be great.</p>
<p>What are the chances of getting into the following History PhD programs?
Harvard
CUNY (Graduate Center)
U of Chicago
Columbia
Fordham</p>
<p>It is impossible to tell… but his GRE scores are a bit low. Most of the programs that I have researched recommend having a score that is in the mid-600s or higher. Beyond that, it depends on his statement of purpose, his writing sample, and how well his interests fit those of the faculty. He should talk to his professors about where he should apply.</p>
<p>It is possible that he will get into any of those schools if he depending on the things mentioned above and that his letters of rec are stellar as you suggest. Or, that he will get into none of them if the above factors aren’t up to par. There is no way to tell over an internet forum.</p>
<p>I’ve heard, and I believe, that the deal with GRE scores and the top ten programs is that they can’t help you but they can hurt you. Perhaps your friend needs to set his sights a bit lower. I’m not sure retaking will help all that much, since most schools will average the two scores together unless the results are so dramatically different that it was clear he took the first test on a day when he had a cold, his dog died, and his car broke down on the way.</p>
<p>In view of his outstanding GPA, he can certainly benefit himself (i.e. make his numbers look more credible) by improving his GRE scores, as others have noted already. “The deal with GRE scores and the top ten programs is that they can’t help you but they can hurt you.” I would like to agree with this statement. But if high GRE scores can prevent you from getting hurt, I don’t see how they are not “helping” you.</p>
<p>I think the list looks quite good, though I am no medievalist. University of Toronto is traditionally considered very good in Medieval history. I wonder why it is missing from his list. I can also suggest UC Santa Barbara as a non-top tier addition. I remember that Berkeley (my alma mater) history did not have a particular strength in Medieval history, although they are generally good. Here at Cornell, they seem to have a good mix of senior/junior scholars in Medieval history and literature (their Medieval Studies program is called “Cornucopia”). One senior history specializes in Medieval and Renaissance Italy, which may coincide with your friend’s interests.</p>
<p>I would spend a lot of time on developing a strong SOP. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Thanks. I think he wants to stay somewhere in the Northeast, but I will definitely pass on your suggestions. Doesn’t the University of Toronto require a MA degree before a PhD?</p>
<p>Correction: He wants a PhD in Early Modern European History</p>
<p>Two of the biggest factors which I believe no one has mentioned here is fit and
contact with a professor. Your interests have to match the prospective department’s pretty closely otherwise you won’t do very well in committee meetings. Secondly, a way to overcome low GRE scores ( I was in the same boat as you last year with scores in the low 600’s except for an 800 writing section) is to have someone who you have talked to over the course of a couple months. If they fight for you in committee meetings you certainly have a chance.</p>
<p>Anyone know what the deal is with reapplication? I had to withdraw from a top-10 program because of a family health issue and am re-trying my hand this year with schools that are closer to home, but unfortunately didn’t accept me last year. Any insight?</p>
<p>I don’t know if it matters, but my friend scored a 6.0 on the Analytical Writing section both times he took the GRE. He just got the score report saying that 96% of people scored lower than a 6.0.</p>
<p>He decided to apply to Early Modern European PhD programs from Fordham, UPenn, and CUNY.</p>
<p>I am an undergrad at a 1st tier public US Univ.
Triple major: history, economics, philosophy (not sure if relevant info)
3.89 GPA
1590 GRE, 5.0 Writing (kinda low)
Currently writing a senior thesis
Want to research labor/economic history</p>
<p>I applied for:
Harvard
Yale
Berkeley
Columbia
Cornell
U Penn</p>
<p>I’m chanting a mantra right now: No news is good news, they’re still considering your application! These words may be empty but on some levels it is true- if they didn’t really want you, they would’ve let you know ASAP.</p>
These words may be empty but on some levels it is true- if they didn’t really want you, they would’ve let you know ASAP.</p>