Fall 2023 applications are about to officially open. Previously affected by the pandemic, many institutions worldwide introduced policies allowing optional or waived GRE scores.
But as the pandemic stabilizes and study-abroad applications return to normal, universities have started reinstating GRE score submission requirements this year!
The era of GRE Optional is coming to an end!
Major US Universities Reinstate GRE Requirements
Cornell University
Cornell's College of Engineering explicitly requires GRE scores.
Under the business school, programs like the Management Master's also "strongly recommend" submitting GRE scores. If you cannot submit them, you need to demonstrate your abilities to the admissions committee through other materials.
University of Pennsylvania
Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science strongly recommends that all applicants for the 2022-23 application cycle submit GRE scores and provide valid score reports. They will also prioritize applicants who submit GRE scores.
The Wharton School clearly states in its admissions brochure that all applicants must submit a valid GMAT/GRE score.
Columbia University
Most Columbia programs have reinstated GRE score requirements. Currently, only a few schools/programs do not require GRE scores, such as:
· MS in Computer Science
· MS in Technology Management
· MS in Applied Analytics
· MA in Instructional Technology and Media
· MA in Climate and Society
· MFA in Film-Creative Producing
Even for programs that do not require it, admissions offices like Columbia's AA program still "strongly recommend" applicants consider submitting GRE scores to strengthen their application.
New York University
For Fall 2023 applications, NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Science explicitly requires all applicants to submit GRE scores and will not waive the requirement based on an applicant's life experience, educational background, country of residence, employment status, or other factors.
NYU Tandon School of Engineering's popular engineering programs such as EE, MFE, IE, MOT, etc., have also clearly required applicants to submit GRE scores.
University of Southern California
Most programs at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have clearly stated GRE submission requirements at the time of application, including Economics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics, etc.
Similarly, programs like Finance under the business school have also released hard requirements for GRE/GMAT submission.
Johns Hopkins University
At JHU's Whiting School of Engineering, all majors require GRE scores and also indicate acceptance of GRE at-home tests.
Carnegie Mellon University
Most programs at CMU's School of Computer Science require GRE scores, including Computational Data Science, MS in Intelligent Information Systems, MS in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, etc.
For GRE Optional programs, the school also explicitly strongly suggests that students submit GRE scores so that admissions can conduct a comprehensive evaluation.
Overview of GRE Requirements at Popular Global Universities
In an era where the GRE is becoming increasingly prevalent, the exam is no longer exclusive to U.S. graduate schools. A growing number of institutions in other countries/regions now require applicants to submit GRE scores.
Even King's College London, which previously explicitly stated that "the business school does not consider GRE at all," has started encouraging applicants to submit GRE/GMAT scores in its latest Fall 2023 application requirements.
This change is mainly due to the increasing number of study-abroad applicants; schools can only reduce the difficulty of evaluation by adding reference dimensions.
*This list is not exhaustive; please refer to the latest official website requirements for details.
United Kingdom
London School of Economics and Political Science
Programs requiring GRE scores:
· MRes/PhD Economics
· MRes/PhD in Economics and Management
· MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
· MSc in Economics
· MSc in Economics and Philosophy
Programs with GRE Optional:
· MSc Operations Research & Analytics
· MSc Risk and Finance
· MSc Management of Information Systems
and Digital Innovation
· MSc Human Resource and Organisations
· MSc Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Imperial College London
Programs requiring GRE scores:
· MRes Business
· MSc International Management
Programs where GRE/GMAT is not required but recommended:
· MSc Finance
· MSc Finance & Accounting
· MSc Financial Technology
· MSc Investment & Wealth Management
· MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering
· MSc Business Analytics
· MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance
· MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management
· MSc International Health Management
· MSc Management
· MSc Economics & Stategy for Business
· MSc Strategic Marketing
University College London
Programs requiring GRE scores:
· MSc Economics
Programs where a GRE/GMAT is beneficial:
· MSc Management
The University of Manchester
Programs where GRE/GMAT is not required but strongly recommended:
· MSc Accounting
· MSc Accounting and Finance
· MSc Finance
· MSc Quantitative Finance
University of Warwick
Programs requiring GRE scores:
· MRes/PhD in Economics
Programs where a GRE/GMAT is beneficial:
· MSc Business Analytics
· MSc Accounting & Finance
· MSc Business & Finance
· MSc Finance
· MSc Finance & Economics
· MSc Mathematical Finance
Canada
University of Toronto
Programs requiring GRE scores:
· MA/PhD in Economics
· MBA
· Master of Finance
Programs recommending GRE/GMAT:
· Master of Management Analytics
· Master of Financial Risk Management
· MS in Computer Science
University of British Columbia
Programs requiring GRE scores:
· Master of Management
· MBA
· Master of Science in Business Administration in Finance
· Master of Education in School and Applied Child Psychology
· Master of Health Administration
Programs where some applicants (e.g., non-Canadian undergraduates) need to submit GRE:
· Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
· Master of Science in Chemistry
· Master of Arts in Economics
· Master of Public Health
· Master of Arts in Psychology
Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong
Most business programs at HKU require or recommend submitting GRE or GMAT scores.
Programs requiring GMAT/GRE:
· EMBA-Global Asia
· Master of Business Administration
· MBA (International)
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
All programs at CUHK Business School require GRE or GMAT.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Programs requiring GMAT/GRE:
· Master of Business Administration
· MSc in Finance
· MSc in International Management
· MSc in Economics
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Programs requiring GRE/GMAT:
· Master of Finance (Investment Management)
· Master of Finance (Financial Economics in
Energy and Environment)
Singapore
National University of Singapore
Non-Singaporean undergraduates required to submit GRE or GMAT:
· MSc Business Analytics
Programs where GRE/GMAT is not required but strongly recommended:
· MSc in Accounting
· MSc in Finance
· MSc in Marketing Analytics and Insights
· MSc in Real Estate
Nanyang Technological University
Programs requiring GRE/GMAT scores:
· MSc Accountancy
· MSc in Business Analytics
· MSc Financial Engineering
· MSc in Finance (English and Mandarin)
The Fall 2023 application season is about to kick off, and it's clear that attention to the GRE is growing everywhere. If you forgo the GRE, your range of school choices will be significantly narrowed.
A good GRE score is always the icing on the cake. Especially for students considering multi-location or multi-direction applications, the GRE is a necessary preparation.
We hope all students preparing their applications will take the GRE seriously, prepare early, get scores early, and apply early. In the upcoming busy application season, we also wish everyone success in receiving offers from their dream schools!
