Answers:
Yuck, sorry. :(
I've heard that while really good scores alone won't get you in, really bad ones can keep you out. In that case, it's usually not the department but general admissions that sets a minimum which, unfairly enough, is usually based on the total (so even if you're an English major, you have to know some math). Usually the department doesn't put much weight into them. But it depends.
If you're planning to apply again next year, you might try doing some test prep and retake the exam. You might also have someone (a prof or a grad student who got in) look over your other application materials--letter of intent, writing sample, etc.--in case there were other things holding you back. Tricky part is, if you're applying to the same dept. as where you did your undergrad, profs in that department will probably not be comfortable helping you with your application, but you can always try someone outside the dept. Good luck!
it depends on the department and the faculty on the admissions committee. Some look more at grades and GRE scores while others are looking more at experience, etc... Seems like the old school profs are stuck more on grades while the younger ones know that the tests aren't a true representation of potential
I agree with the first poster. It really depends on what school and which program. My friend got into Georgetown PhD chemistry program with a low GRE score and average grades but GREAT references and research experience while another friend got rejected from the UCLA psychology PhD program with high GRE scores and high GPA. So it really depends. Some programs emphasize the math scores more than verbal. You should contact the program you are applying to, perhaps contact a professor. Don't give up. Try again!
In some fields and in some departments, GREs count heavily.
You need to do lots and lots of research about what each department requires before you decide to apply to any graduate school.
The most important factor in admissions, however, is "fit." If your research plans (as elaborated and justified in your statement of purpose) do not dovetail with current faculty areas of expertise, your application is sunk.
Also, many programs are hesitant to admit alumni. This is because you already studied with the professors in that department -- some admissions committees strongly believe that your graduate work should be done with other professors, elsewhere, in order to broaden your methodological exposure.
Finally, depending on your intended field of study, related work experience can often be meaningless in terms of applications. The usual exceptions to this are in the hard sciences, when an applicant's work experience was in research laboratories, and in education, when an applicant is an experienced teacher.
Best wishes to you!
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