GRE and grades

 

I'm going to keep this section short and sweet - because this truly is the LEAST important part. I'm pretty sure the GRE isn't even required for most programs anymore, or optional for all others (one benefit of the COVID-19 pandemic I suppose is the re-evaluation of the value of standardized tests!)

GRE

I'm pretty sure my GRE score was not great - I scored pretty well in the quant section (like almost 90th percentile?) and but not as well in the verbal section (below 70th percentile) and got a 10 or 11 out of 12 on the writing part (magically). In talking with professors and administrators over all these years, and I can confidently say that this is not something they care about, more just a box to check off if you did it or not (and now that box doesn't even exist probably). 

Money saving tip! - I would check with the admissions offices of your programs, because if you applied for the MPH program, and even if you ended up not going there -- they may still have your score and then you won't have to pay to resend it for your doctoral application.

Grades

As for grades, mine were kind of all over the place. From my understanding I also don't think professors really care about this when they look at your application, maybe just to screen out any red flags (like terrible terrible grades). 

TL;DR - If you're GRE/grades are just okay or not that great, you are more than okay.