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EconMist · 07-02-2006, 04:51 PM

Hi guys,

I just wanted to ask this question and see how similar (different) the responses I get would be.
How important is the verbal GRE score for admission (and financial aid) into a decent Ph.D. program in Economics?

All responses and comments will be appreciated!

~ EconMist

asquare · 07-02-2006, 05:05 PM

How important? Not very. Also, remember that verbal scores are on average lower than quant scores -- so look at your percentile score not just your raw score. Further, at schools that request a writing sample, I doubt that the verbal score has any bearing whatsoever.

Gear · 07-10-2006, 02:21 PM

Hi,

Does anyone knows if the minimun requirements that UCSD puts on its website are also meant for non-native english speakers?

GRE Test Minimum Scores:

Verbal Score: 560
Quantitative Score: 720
Analytical Score: 4.5

werner · 07-13-2006, 10:04 PM

I don't think the verbal score is very important. When they think you can be a good researcher and your lor says you are a nice person with good communication skills they will take you. But to be honest, I applied to UCSD despite my lowlowlow verbal score and got rejected. On the other hand I got a fellowship from a 'better' school that said on its web site that students cannot expect much financial support.
So you should think about why you want to go there and include these reasons in your statement. give a big picture that appears to be more important than cut off rules etc.

sting54911 · 07-19-2006, 07:35 PM

How is your spoken english? I have a feeling that the verbal is there mainly to make sure that you can speak okay. In case you get on the phone with UCSD, they may waive the verbal requirement of 560 on a case by case basis.

Markos · 07-19-2006, 08:26 PM

Just for the record, the verbal does not test one's speaking ability. It basically tests how much reading s/he has done throughout their academic life. It is primarily a test of vocabulary and your ability to apply those words in the right context and understand the relationship between words. That is why international students with good verbal scores are still required to take the test of spoken english if they want to qualify for teaching assistantships.

View Poll Results: How decisive is the GRE verbal for Econ Ph.D. admissions + fin aid???
Very decisive	0	0%
fairly decisive	2	6.45%
little dicisiveness	17	54.84%
not decisive	12	38.71%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

07-02-2006, 04:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
EconMist Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 218	How Important is the GRE Verbal for Econ Ph.D.? Hi guys, I just wanted to ask this question and see how similar (different) the responses I get would be. How important is the verbal GRE score for admission (and financial aid) into a decent Ph.D. program in Economics? All responses and comments will be appreciated! ~ EconMist

07-10-2006, 02:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gear Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 17	UCSD Econ and GRE Hi, Does anyone knows if the minimun requirements that UCSD puts on its website are also meant for non-native english speakers? GRE Test Minimum Scores: Verbal Score: 560 Quantitative Score: 720 Analytical Score: 4.5

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07-02-2006, 05:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
asquare TestMagic Guru Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 1,381	How important? Not very. Also, remember that verbal scores are on average lower than quant scores -- so look at your percentile score not just your raw score. Further, at schools that request a writing sample, I doubt that the verbal score has any bearing whatsoever.

07-13-2006, 10:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
werner Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 12	I don't think the verbal score is very important. When they think you can be a good researcher and your lor says you are a nice person with good communication skills they will take you. But to be honest, I applied to UCSD despite my lowlowlow verbal score and got rejected. On the other hand I got a fellowship from a 'better' school that said on its web site that students cannot expect much financial support. So you should think about why you want to go there and include these reasons in your statement. give a big picture that appears to be more important than cut off rules etc.

07-19-2006, 07:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
sting54911 Eager! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 93	How is your spoken english? I have a feeling that the verbal is there mainly to make sure that you can speak okay. In case you get on the phone with UCSD, they may waive the verbal requirement of 560 on a case by case basis.

07-19-2006, 08:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Markos Eager! Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 34	Just for the record, the verbal does not test one's speaking ability. It basically tests how much reading s/he has done throughout their academic life. It is primarily a test of vocabulary and your ability to apply those words in the right context and understand the relationship between words. That is why international students with good verbal scores are still required to take the test of spoken english if they want to qualify for teaching assistantships.

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