Is a 159 GRE Quant too low for a mechanical engineering PhD?

neonina05
Wed, 04 Jul 2018 20:40:50 +0000

I haven’t taken the test officially yet (taking in 3 weeks), but over the past two years I’ve taken various practice tests and studied for months at a time, sporadically … And on every single practice test, I get a 159 on the Quantitative section. It never budges despite studying. On verbal I usually score between 162 and 168 (yes, strange for an engineering student, I know).

I’m concerned that this quant score straight up doesn’t even meet cut off scores. I’m interested in pursuing Mechanical Engineering at UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, USC, Carnegie Mellon, Yale, or University of New Mexico.

My BS is in Chemical Engineering and I have a 3.6, consisting of all A’s and B’s. I’m concerned that with B’s in my math courses, a 159 in Quant, and the fact that I’m coming from a different field will make the rest of my accomplishments null.

My name is on multiple publications and I’m working hard on a first author publication for the end of the summer. I have two years of research experience in a lab at my university, and another year of experience at a reputable national laboratory. This summer I am in a relevant, extremely selective program for undergraduates in robotics. I had hoped it could be a foot in the door to the same laboratory. All of my letter writers are extremely supportive and want to help me achieve my goals, leading me to think they will write strong letters.

However, I am concerned that even having a foot in the door and multiple people rallying to help me network will not outweigh the GRE, GPA, and different B.S. degree.

Should I accept a post-bac position and use the year to focus more solely on my GRE quantitative section? This still may not work.