* GPA: Your undergraduate GPA is crucial.
* Letters of Recommendation: Strong letters from professors who know you well are essential.
* Statement of Purpose: A compelling and well-written statement showcasing your research interests and goals is critical.
* Research Experience: Relevant research experience significantly strengthens your application.
* Specific Program: The competitiveness varies wildly between programs (e.g., Computer Science at MIT vs. History at a less selective university).
* Fit: How well your background and interests align with the program's faculty and research.
With a 1540 GRE, you could realistically apply to top-tier universities like:
* Ivy League Schools: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania
* Other Top Universities: Stanford, MIT, Caltech, University of Chicago, Duke, Johns Hopkins, University of California Berkeley, UCLA, Northwestern, Cornell (already mentioned as Ivy League) and many others.
However, even with a 1540, you should carefully research specific programs within those universities. A highly competitive program might still reject you even with a perfect score if other aspects of your application are weaker. Conversely, a less competitive program at a highly ranked university might be more attainable.
In short, a 1540 opens many doors, but you still need a strong overall application to succeed. Focus on making every aspect of your application as strong as possible.