This year, due to the impact of Covid-19 and for health and safety reasons, ETS launched the GRE Test at Home, a new test format to help test takers avoid the risks of in-person exams.
Recently, however, there have been many doubts about the fairness of the GRE Test at Home. Consequently, some universities have chosen to drop the mandatory GRE requirement for the next application cycle.
But does waiving the GRE requirement really make graduate applications easier?
When hearing about the GRE cancellation, many students think universities are lowering admission standards, but that is not the case. Whether waiving the GRE is good or bad depends on the individual applicant.
For students with rich research and internship experience and strong backgrounds, the removal of the GRE might be good news, as it allows them to devote more time and energy to research and internships to polish and enrich their profiles.
However, for students with insufficient qualifications and weak backgrounds, it is not a good sign.
No GRE, Higher Demands on Background Strengths
In fact, in recent years, many top programs have waived the GRE requirement. However, as seen from past data, these are mostly doctoral programs or research-oriented ones. Not taking the GRE actually comes with a major prerequisite.
Percentage of programs at Top 50 research universities that do not require the GRE
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14 Princeton University graduate programs that waived the GRE last year
These programs inherently emphasize academic research backgrounds, and with the GRE requirement removed, the demand for professional background will be even higher.
Generally, once a program drops the mandatory GRE, it inevitably places greater weight on other application materials such as GPA, experience, personal statements, and recommendation letters to assess whether students have sufficient ability to succeed in the program.
Moreover, some schools that do not require GRE scores actually have their own evaluation methods as a substitute.
For example, the Master of Quantitative Finance (MQF) program at the University of Waterloo does not require GRE scores, but applicants must take an entrance exam primarily on statistics and probability.
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The in-house exams are generally more difficult than the GRE. Many programs also add interview screenings before making final admissions decisions.
Thus, without submitting GRE scores, greater emphasis is placed on the applicant's hard skills. When GRE is not mandatory, other materials carry higher weight in evaluation.
Columbia University's MSW does not require the GRE, but demands more from experience, essays, interviews, etc.
If an applicant's background does not meet the mark, then dropping the GRE is not good news for them.
GRE Can Sometimes Save a Troubled Application
Although the GRE is just one part of the application, sometimes that one part can really be a lifesaver.
We have encountered real cases: a student applied to a program that did not require GRE scores, and although all other application materials were submitted, there was no update on the progress for a long time.
Unable to wait any longer, the student decided to retake the GRE, and after submitting the new score, the school immediately sent an offer of admission.
In fact, many schools that claim to have "canceled the GRE" have simply changed the previous mandatory requirement to "optional," leaving it up to the applicant.
UNC Chapel Hill's SILS still allows 'voluntary' submission of GRE scores
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Don't try to guess what admissions officers are thinking. If others submit optional materials and you don't, your offer might be delayed or even shelved. Especially in popular destinations like the UK, Canada, and Singapore, which are expected to see a surge of applications this year, you really need to reconsider the weight of standardized test scores.
While the GRE cannot fully compensate for flaws in other areas, having it is better than not, and sometimes it can be the antidote to your application difficulties.
GRE's Wide Applicability Means More Graduate School Choices
As the No. 1 standardized test for graduate studies, the GRE has not only long been a hard criterion for U.S. admissions but is also increasingly becoming an important reference for graduate applications in the UK, Canada, and elsewhere.
Although some programs have relaxed standardized test requirements due to the pandemic, most still require GRE scores. After all, ETS offers the Test at Home option, so you can still get a score.
For applicants, having a decent GRE score means having more choices of schools and programs, as well as greater assurance in the application process.
The GRE Test at Home has now been extended to December 31. For international students who are good at standardized tests, if there's still time, it's worth striving to get a score one more time.
Giving up the GRE means giving up more program options and a chance to strengthen your application. At the same time, you'll need to put even more effort into other application materials.
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