Universities that don’t require GRE | A list of GRE waivers

Are there any universities that don’t require GRE?

When applying to US graduate schools for a master’s or MBA program, most prospective students worldwide take the GRE. As the GRE is a widely used tool for evaluating applicants, GRE scores are often used in addition to undergraduate records, covering letters, and other required materials for graduate admissions. Even though it is frequently used and required, many schools still grant GRE waivers. Read this blog to learn more about universities that don’t require GRE.

GRE Waiver | What is it?

Since the pandemic made it difficult to administer aptitude tests everywhere, many universities chose to waive the GRE. The admissions officials explained that as a result, students will now be evaluated on other crucial application-process criteria, such as academic credentials, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, professional experience, etc., depending on the requirements of the course.

Application criteria for schools offering GRE waivers

You can certainly concentrate on other qualities that will make you stand out if you choose not to submit your GRE score. Academic background, professional experience, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, a CV or resume, etc., would all be considered.

• Academic history

The graduate admissions committee will probably give the most weight to a student’s undergraduate GPA. Typically, graduate school applicants must have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their undergraduate coursework. It might be a good idea to take the GRE if your GPA is less than 3.0. 

• Professional experience

Professional experience and internships are not required for all graduate programs. Still, some MBA programs and clinical psychology degrees place more value on professional experience than other academic departments or programs.

• Graduate statement of purpose (SOP)

Most graduate programs will require 1-2 pages of personal statements better to understand applicants’ academic potential and writing skills. The universities will give applicants instructions or questions to respond to in their SOP and will ask them to explain their academic background and career objectives.

• Letters of recommendation

Candidates must submit 2 to 3 letters of support from professors and past employers. Finding a suitable writer for your letter of recommendation—typically a professor or professional manager who has a basic understanding of your accomplishments and academic history is a crucial piece of advice. 

• Academic CV/Resume

Graduate programs that demand prior experience will likely request an academic CV or resume. Applicants may include information about accomplishments, honors, community service, projects, etc. If you decide not to sit for the test, you could use these records in place of a GRW.

Universities that offer GRE waivers

It is crucial to understand that the department decides to waive the GRE, not the university. As a result, a university may only waive the GRE for a specific course and not for others. So, do a little extra research and choose your course of study wisely. The list of universities that don’t require the GRE is provided below-

University Name	GRE Waiver Status 2023
The University of Utah, USA	GRE: Waived off for Arts, Public Health, Biology, Mining Engineering, Information Systems, Biostatistics, Nursing, Business Analytics, Computing, etc.
University of Michigan Ann Arbour, USA	GRE waived for courses like Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Robotics, etc.
Texas A & M University, College Station, USA	GRE waived for Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Data Science, Marketing, Chemical Engineering, etc.
University of California	GRE waived for Bioengineering, Material Science & Engineering, etc.
Indiana University, Blomington	GRE waived off for Computer Science, Information Science, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Secure Computing, etc.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	GRE Waiver (Relies on the chosen course.)
Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management	GRE Waiver (For undergraduate courses)
Bentley University	GRE Waiver (Relies on Course and work experience)
University of California, Berkeley	GRE Waiver (Relies on the chosen course)
Northeastern University	GRE Waiver (Relies on the chosen course)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	GRE Waiver (Relies on the chosen course)
Texas A&M University	GRE Waiver (Relies on the chosen course)
University of California, Los Angeles	GRE Waiver (Relies on the chosen course)
University of Wisconsin — Stout	GRE Waiver (Relies on the chosen course)

When should GRE scores not be submitted?

Choosing whether or not to submit GRE test results when applying to schools that offer GRE waivers may be challenging. You might find the following information useful in determining when you shouldn’t submit your GRE or other standardized test results-

• The exam’s availability to applicants is constrained by COVID-19. Many schools allow students to opt-out of the test out of an abundance of caution because of the current state of the world.
• Essays, SOPs, and other requirements are concentrated on while the application deadline is getting closer.
• The applicants’ accomplishments and potential are not reflected in the test results. Through essays, students can highlight their skills and areas of strength.

Read more: Mastering the GMAT Score: Unlock your Ticket to Harvard!

Key takeaways

• When applying to universities, you must submit the necessary materials, such as your GPA, CV, SOP, etc., in place of your GRE scores. 
• Another option is to request a GRE waiver in writing from the university. When writing one, adhere to the formatting specifications, have a clear statement of purpose, give a specific example, highlight your professional background and abilities, etc.
• Show how your career has developed in your documents and essays, demonstrate your strong leadership qualities, and select a course that will meet both your professional and personal needs.

Like this blog? Read next- Which is easier, GMAT or GRE | A comprehensive comparison!

FAQs

Question 1. What factors are considered by universities that don’t require GRE scores for admission?

Answer. If you choose not to take the GRE, you should concentrate on your academic background, work experiences, statement of purpose, recommendation letter, and resume. These elements will be taken into account by the universities to confirm your admission.

Question 2. Is the GRE waived for the spring of 2023?

Answer. Yes, some universities will not require you to take the GRE in the spring of 2022, fall of 2022, or spring of 2023.

Question 3. Do Harvard University’s GMAT and GRE requirements apply?

Answer. Yes, Harvard University offers a GRE waiver option depending on the course.