The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized test often required for admission to graduate programs in the United States. However, there are some universities in the USA that do not require the GRE as part of their application process. This article explores a few of these universities, providing information about their admission requirements and programs.
Universities without GRE Requirements
1. University of California, Berkeley
- Programs: The University of California, Berkeley offers several graduate programs that do not require the GRE, including the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Master of Engineering (MEng).
- Admission Criteria: While GRE scores are not mandatory for these programs, applicants are expected to have a strong academic background, relevant work experience, and meet the specific admission requirements of their chosen program.
2. University of Chicago
- Programs: The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business does not require the GRE for their full-time MBA program.
- Admission Criteria: Instead of the GRE, applicants are required to submit their GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) scores. Additionally, the admissions committee considers various factors such as work experience, academic achievements, essays, and interviews during the selection process.
3. University of Southern California
- Programs: The University of Southern California (USC) offers some graduate programs that waive the GRE requirement for applicants who meet specific criteria. These programs include the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Master of Business Administration (MBA).
- Admission Criteria: While the GRE is not mandatory, USC evaluates applicants based on their academic performance, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and work experience.
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Programs: Some departments at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) do not require the GRE for certain graduate programs. These programs include the Master of Science (MS) in Supply Chain Management, Master of Finance (MFin), and the Sloan Fellows MBA.
- Admission Criteria: MIT focuses on a holistic evaluation of applicants, considering factors such as academic achievements, statement of objectives, letters of recommendation, and relevant work experience.
5. Stanford University
- Programs: Stanford University’s School of Engineering does not require the GRE for their Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs.
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance, letters of recommendation, research experience, and statement of purpose. While the GRE is not mandatory, submitting strong scores can still enhance an applicant’s profile.
Other Universities with No GRE Requirement
1. University of California, Los Angeles
- Programs: UCLA offers various graduate programs that do not require the GRE, including the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Social Welfare (MSW), and Master of Education (M.Ed.).
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience in their field of interest.
2. Cornell University
- Programs: Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management does not require the GRE for its MBA program.
- Admission Criteria: Instead of the GRE, applicants are required to submit their GMAT scores. Additionally, the admissions committee considers factors such as work experience, academic transcripts, essays, and interviews.
3. Columbia University
- Programs: Columbia University’s School of Social Work does not require the GRE for its Master of Social Work (MSW) program.
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant work experience in social work or related fields.
4. Harvard University
- Programs: Some departments at Harvard University, such as the Harvard Graduate School of Education, do not require the GRE for certain programs.
- Admission Criteria: Harvard considers a holistic range of factors in their evaluation process, including academic achievements, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience. While the GRE is not mandatory, strong scores can still be beneficial.
5. Northwestern University
- Programs: Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications does not require the GRE for its Master of Science in Journalism (MSJ) program.
- Admission Criteria: The program evaluates applicants based on their academic background, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and journalism experience.
Other Universities with No GRE Requirement
1. University of California, San Diego
- Programs: The University of California, San Diego offers several graduate programs that do not require the GRE, including the Master of International Affairs (MIA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), and Master of Public Health (MPH).
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic background, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience in their field of interest.
2. University of Texas at Austin
- Programs: The University of Texas at Austin has various graduate programs that waive the GRE requirement, such as the Master of Public Affairs (MPAff) and Master of Science in Finance (MSF).
- Admission Criteria: While the GRE is not mandatory, applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant work experience.
3. New York University
- Programs: New York University (NYU) offers select graduate programs that do not require the GRE, including the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness.
- Admission Criteria: NYU evaluates applicants based on their academic achievements, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience in their field.
4. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Programs: Some departments at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, do not require the GRE for certain graduate programs. These programs include the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA).
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant work experience.
5. Yale University
- Programs: Yale University’s School of Management does not require the GRE for its MBA program.
- Admission Criteria: Instead of the GRE, applicants are required to submit their GMAT scores. Yale also considers factors such as academic achievements, professional experience, essays, and interviews during the selection process.
Other Universities with No GRE Requirement
1. University of Washington
- Programs: The University of Washington offers several graduate programs that do not require the GRE, including the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Master of Arts in Communication (MACOM).
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic background, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience in their field of interest.
2. Duke University
- Programs: Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business does not require the GRE for its MBA program.
- Admission Criteria: Instead of the GRE, applicants are required to submit their GMAT scores. Duke also considers factors such as academic performance, work experience, essays, and interviews during the selection process.
3. University of Pennsylvania
- Programs: Some departments at the University of Pennsylvania, such as the School of Social Policy & Practice, do not require the GRE for certain graduate programs.
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience in their field.
4. Johns Hopkins University
- Programs: Johns Hopkins University offers various graduate programs that waive the GRE requirement, including the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Arts in Communication (MAC), and Master of Science in Engineering (MSE).
- Admission Criteria: While the GRE is not mandatory, applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant work experience.
5. University of California, Irvine
- Programs: The University of California, Irvine offers select graduate programs that do not require the GRE, including the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP), and Master of Fine Arts (MFA).
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic background, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience in their field.
Other Universities with No GRE Requirement
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Programs: MIT offers certain graduate programs that do not require the GRE, such as the Master of Business Analytics (MBAn) and Master of Finance (MFin).
- Admission Criteria: While the GRE is not mandatory, applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance, statement of objectives, letters of recommendation, and relevant work experience.
2. University of Colorado Boulder
- Programs: The University of Colorado Boulder has graduate programs that waive the GRE requirement for certain fields, including the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE).
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic background, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience in their field of interest.
3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Programs: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers various graduate programs that do not require the GRE, such as the Master of Computer Science (MCS) and Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA).
- Admission Criteria: While the GRE is not mandatory, applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience.
4. University of Arizona
- Programs: The University of Arizona offers select graduate programs that waive the GRE requirement, including the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS MIS).
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic background, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience in their field.
5. University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Programs: Some departments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison do not require the GRE for certain graduate programs. These programs include the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS).
- Admission Criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience.
Conclusion
While the GRE is a commonly required test for admission to graduate programs in the USA, there are universities that offer exemptions for certain programs. These universities evaluate applicants based on various factors such as academic performance, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience in the field. Prospective students should thoroughly research the admission requirements of their desired programs and universities to determine if the GRE is necessary or if there are alternative pathways available. By understanding these options, students can make informed decisions and focus on preparing a strong application that aligns with the specific criteria of their chosen programs.