Weightage of GRE and GPA in Poli. Science PhD admissions

[agarwaen.mormegil]

OK, GRE and/or GPA scores don't make or break an application, although a higher score is always a plus.

But,

GRE:

1. How important is the GRE compared to LoRs, SOP and writing sample and grades in Poli. Science PhD admissions? Is it the same as in Economics PhD admissions?

Also, I have read, maybe here in TM or somewhere (can't remember at the moment) that some schools place a LOT of weightage on the GRE.

2. Does anyone have any idea which schools below place such considerably larger weightage on the GRE score compared to other application materials, especially for international applicants?

Applying to: Chicago, Emory, Johns Hopkins, UPenn, Notre Dame, SUNY Buffalo, Brown, Princeton, Virginia,
Texas A&M, Claremont Graduate, Cornell, Northwestern, Rice, Georgetown.


GPA:

3. We don't have a GPA system in my university but when converted my GPA will probably only be between 3.1 to 3.4. Not good.

So, which schools are not so "turned off" so to speak about below average GPA?

For example, Virginia explicitly says on their departmental website that writing samples, SOP are far more important than GPA. I believe almost all the schools above have average GPA of admitted students between 3.5 to 3.8. Which means some admitted students have GPA below 3.5, right?

Thank you.

[dr_Shpak]

How "not good" is your GRE. If it is really below avarage it is not good if it is avarage -it is OK

[agarwaen.mormegil]

My GRE is 1400 (verbal: 630; quant.: 770). I guess it's above average for Poli.Science PhD admissions. I'm more worried about my undergrad university marks which on conversion to GPA would stand somewhere between 3.1 to 3.4.

[Demisel]

Your GRE is fine, no reasons to worry. But some schools have a 3.5 cut-off point for GPA.

[agarwaen.mormegil]

That's what I'm worried about. Most schools don't mention in their departmental websites that, say for instance, have a 3.5 cut-off but rather puts up the minimum 3.0 requirement.

Demisel, could you shed some light which schools toss the applicant's file to the waste paper basket if they have GPA<3.5?

Also, would the above average GRE or any other parts of the application be a buffer against the <3.5 GPA? I mean yes it's harder if you have a less than 3.5 GPA but would the low GPA means you're one-strike-and-out?


We don't have a GPA system in our country so it makes even harder for me to evaluate things.