Do you feel that graduate school acceptance should be only on GRE scores?

Question

I just recently applied to a grad school and did not get in. My current GPA is a 4.0 and my cumulative is 3.5. I had awesome letter of recommendations, a great transcript. I did not do as well as I would have liked on the GRE but I plan to take it again. I know that I would be a great assest to this particular school. I don't feel that one test should deteremine whether you get in grad school or not. I am just so dissappointed.

I am considering calling the director of the program I applied to and ask the individual why I did not get in. Do you think that is a good idea?

* Do you feel that graduate school acceptance should be based only on GRE scores?

Answer 1

No, and it's not. Many subjects require the subject GREs as well, and I'm glad they don't base it on that either.

I once applied to a grad school with a letter of recommendation from their president. I didn't get a second glance. And my grades and research were stellar. They have a certain amount of money available, and when they run out, they run out. Many grad students accept fewer than 10 students a year out of hundreds of very qualified students that apply.

Answer 2

Hell no. If that were the case, I never would have gotten in. I mean, I did fine...I was like 60th percentile and above, but my GRE scores weren't NEARLY as good as my GPA. I think the GRE tries to level the playing field, so to speak, since everyone's undergrad institution is different. I really don't think it achieves that very well either, to tell you the truth. I have very good grades because I'm a hard worker and very motivated...something the GRE really can't show. It just shows that I'm an "average" test taker.

From what I have been hearing too, the GRE is becoming less and less significant. I know I ran into that alot when I visited graduate schools. By the way, I applied to 10 schools and got into 9 of them...so GRE scores have become very minor, at least for the science fields. Having great grades, showing motivation to your field (like working in a lab), and being published are way more important to grad schools. After all, the GRE is one test...it's not 4-5 years of work like a GPA will show. Don't worry. Apply to more graduate schools and raise your GPA as much as you can.

Answer 3

I think call the program director is a great idea. It shows your interests and makes you known. And you may actually find out why you didn't get in. As for the GRE, take a lot of practice tests. That will help a lot and maybe even take a Kaplan test prep course. Keep trying... Also, you might want to expand your search to other schools. Some schools can be snobbish. When I applied, I applied to six different programs. I was accepted by five. The only school not to take me was the was the state school from my home state. Some of the other programs were even better than them, but I went to a rival university in the state, and I believe it had something to do with it. Just keep trying and you'll make it.

Answer 4

Definitly call them to find out why you weren't accepted. But they do have a limited amount of open spaces and have many qualified applicants, including you. And sadly, they just have to turn down qualified students as a result.

The GRE is probably only plays a small role in admission, but when they have to decide between a few students, it might be the detemining factor, one way or another. definitly take them again, but unless you put a lot of time in preparation, the results will likely be the same. if you weakness is in english, spend a lot of time doing reading and lookingup all the words you don;t know. if oyu struggle with the math, then try to get a math tutor.

good luck.

Answer 5

I doubt if it is the only criteria used.

With your background -- you should be able to get into a decent program -- but even with your qualifications you will be turned down at some schools.

I could give you better advice if I knew what school you are talking about. You may have over-reached -- or may have got unlucky.

When I applied to PhD programs, I had a higher GPA than you have, letters from some of the top people in my field (one is frequently mentioned as a likely Nobel Prize winner), and a 2250/2400 on my GREs. I applied to nine of the top 12 programs in my field. I know that I was qualified to go to all of them. I only got into two of them.

I ended up going to Berkeley. I later found out that they get between 250-300 applications per year. My year they accepted nine people. The next year, applications were up -- and they only accepted four. Obviously -- lots of qualified students get rejected.

A few years later, I was at a conference at Harvard where they invited a few PhD students from the top schools. I was in a cab with a student from the University of Chicago and one from the Wharton School at Pennsylvania. At one point, I sheepishly told them that I didn't get accepted at either Chicago or Wharton. Both turned to me and said (almost in unison) -- "I didn't get accepted at Berkeley."

If you write to the director of the program, the response that you will get is one of the following:

We receive many applications from qualified students. We admitted those that we though were the best fit for the program. While you are highly qualified, we cannot offer you a position in our program at the present time.

or

We admitted students whom we thought were more qualified than you are.

Either way -- your best bet is to widen your net. You will get in somewhere.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Pre-Admissions Questions What are the minimum standards to be seen for admission to a graduate application in Civil and Environmental Engineering? The minimum graduate admission standards are: a bachelor's degree or known equivalent from an authorized corporation adequate undergraduate instruction to do graduate artwork on your selected field a passable scholastic favourite, with a minimum grade-element favourite (GPA) of three.0 (B) a regular Graduate record examination (GRE) score (eighty - eighty 5 %ile score is appropriate yet isn't required) worldwide applicants: A minimum score of 570 (230 CBT) on the attempt of English as a much off places Language (TOEFL) is had to fulfill the English Language skills requirement. A score of a minimum of six hundred (250 CBT) is appropriate in Engineering. Please study the Graduate branch web site on Admission standards. in case you won or are a candidate to get carry of your undergraduate degree from a company exterior america, please study the section on worldwide applicants in Admission standards.

Answer 7

gre should be a part, very small part of grad school......i am fortunate my grad school only had me take the test........i was admitted based on my cumm gpa, letters of rec, and who the director was..........she was my undergrad advisor..........