Weightage of GRE® in admision process

[Sleepy_Sentinel]

Hi
How important is GRE in getting into a top college?My score was 1590(Q-800,V-790) but apart from that, academically I am not at the top of my class(only in the top 25%).Also, I wanted to apply for an MSFE(Financial Engineering), which would mean a shift in majors(currently majoring in Materials Science and Engineering).Would anyone know what good colleges that offer this program(Columbai,NYU,CMU,Berkeley etc.) look for in candidates? I do not have work experience.Finally, is the fact that(and honestly,I am not trying to blow my own horn here, so for anyone reading this,I would sincerely request you to please not misinterpret it as such) I go to the top school in India(IIT) but have a correspondingly lower GPA better than going to a second-rung school and being near the top of my class?

I would really appreciate any replies and absolutely any help I can get.I am extremely confused about what grad schools I need to look at.

[Lk50df]

That's a great score, and can definitely help offset a GPA that isn't super-high. My husband got into grad school because of his near-perfect GRE score and solid recs, despite a bad GPA. He got his masters and undergrad degree from the same university, so that probably helped, but his GRE score was a big factor. Going to a top school will help you too, even with a slightly lower GPA.

I can't answer your other questions, but I would recommend researching schools as best you can to see what programs they offer. USNews.com and www.review.com are good places to start.

Hope this helps!!!

[Dakini]

Hi Sleepy Sentinal (love the name) First, congrats on your score! Well, I see that you are at school in India; is it under the British system? If so, I think a conversion is in order; I am from Australia and we go by first, seconds etc and my GPA from there is very strange, I'm not even sure how it equates in US standards. Fortunately I have done my masters here in the US so my undergrad is not so important especially as its in a different field.

What I am saying is that perhaps what you got for your GPA needs to be converted (and you might not be as badly off as you first thought). Also, you can always bolster your grades with a strong personal statements and references too.

Since you are new to schooling in the US I would suggest checking out the many services out there that will help match you with the right US school and help you w/ the application process for a fee; Kaplan offers this service. You should check it out. I'm probably going to sign up for this service because I have to study for a GRE subject test so won't have much time to devote to doing the "hard" labor so to speak.

PS. could you reply to my post regarding ETS questions? I know you've mentioned something similar that may answer my question but could you please take a look? I'd appreciate it very much!

[Bill684]

Honestly it turns out that everything is a factor in the admissions process. I was denied from one place based on my performance in the admissions interview and i had higher scores than some of the people who got in! I feel they just used that as an excuse to deny me and take some kiss ass. Its really kind of a drag, but just be aware that ANYTHING at all may be a factor...