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Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 4:01 pm
by bobbydd21
Would you guys recommend mentioning in your personal statement that the poor results on the subject test don't accurately capture your true ability/knowledge and potential to do research or is it better off not even drawing attention to it?

Thanks for the help!

Re: Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 4:12 pm
by zeta_0.5
you can explain why you ended up having low score, but telling them that "the poor results on the subject test don't accurately capture your true ability/knowledge and potential to do research" will not be advisable. Let them conclude it based on your stronger points. This is what my opinion is. Good luck.

Re: Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 5:43 pm
by MathCat
They know that scores are not the most accurate measure of your abilities. You shouldn't tell them this, just try to highlight the strengths of your application.

Re: Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:45 am
by dasgut
I think it'd be better if you could get your recommenders to say that the results don't accurately reflect your ability to do research.

Re: Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:54 am
by sara12
dasgut wrote:I think it'd be better if you could get your recommenders to say that the results don't accurately reflect your ability to do research.
I second this. I got a terrible score on my first MGRE. One of my recommenders offered to write in the rec that my score in no way reflected my abilities, I have a ton of potential, etc. I got my second score back, which was still not great, but acceptable and my prof said it was no longer necessary to add that to the letter. Only have your profs write it if the score is SUPER low - most grad schools understand that the MGRE is complete and utter BS in regards to research abilities and that moderately low to middling scores are no big deal.