GRE scores:your opinion

[degroote at TIGGER.STCLOUD.MSUS.EDU]

The question is frequent and the facts are few, so why not ask the pundits.
What role do GRE scores play in admission to your grad program?
I.E. on a scale of 1-5 (not important-very important).
Is there a ranking with the three categories; one more important than other?
Is there a need to take an area test for your program?
How many students improve their scores the second-time around?

An example for consideration (purely theoretical)
         student         student
Verbal    550              370
Quant     710              740
Analy     680              750
        -------         --------

sum      1940             1860

Undergraduate training in Cell and Molecular Biology applying for grad program
in these areas.  

We do undergraduate around here and would like some opinions.  Hope this 
doesn't send flames shooting into the air--although the heat woun

although the heat might feel good these days-MN is a bit on the brisk side.
David DeGroote
e-mail:DEGROOTE at TIGGER.STCLOUD.MSUS.EDU
snail mail:Department of Biology
St Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN  56301-4498
USA
ps. thanks in advance-i've got a lousy editor and fat fingers.