I took general GRE twice and I got AWA score 3.0 for both (very dissappointed ). I hope my TOEFL score helps to cover my writing score ( iBT 105, 27 for writting). Do I still have a chance to be accepted by top 10~20 uni?
GPA: 3.9/4 (top 10 physics students of top 2 uni in Hong Kong)
PGRE: 980 (93%)
V: 158 (79%)
Q: 168 (95%)
1 1st author publication (impact factor ~2), although not related to current topic
1 conference proceeding
Working on condensed matter experiment for 1 year as research assistant in my undergrad university
Abysmal general GRE AWA 3.0
Re: Abysmal general GRE AWA 3.0
In short, yes, try your luck at top-20 with a mix of top-10s and top-20s based on your research interests.
The primary reason why physics PhD programs do not put much weight on the AW score, is because the writing is quite different in a physics PhD program vs. the writing on that test.
The primary reason why physics PhD programs do not put much weight on the AW score, is because the writing is quite different in a physics PhD program vs. the writing on that test.