The Future of GRE Requirement in Graduate Admissions: Trends and Predictions

The trend of graduate schools dropping the GRE Graduate Record Examination (GRE) requirement has been growing, particularly in fields like humanities, social sciences, and some STEM areas. Many programs have moved toward a more holistic admissions process, focusing on other factors such as undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and relevant experience.

Trends and Specific Examples

As of August 2023, numerous institutions had already eliminated the GRE requirement, or made it optional. This trend is expected to continue. Specific timelines for when all graduate schools will drop the GRE requirement are uncertain, as it varies by program and institution. Some schools have already moved to this approach. For example, in 2023, the University of Michigan's School of Information made the GRE optional for its MS program.

For instance, the trend in computer science PhD programs is about split evenly. This means that while some schools continue to require or consider the GRE, others have eliminated it as a requirement or made it optional. It's important to note that even in fields where the GRE is optional, it still serves as a scaffold for students without substantial extracurricular or research experience to showcase their intellectual potential.

Specifically, for instance, many universities with competitive CS PhD programs still require or give significant weight to the GRE. However, for CS master's degree programs, the situation is more varied. Most prestigious universities have moved to making the GRE optional or unnecessary. For example, the University of California, Berkeley, has made the GRE optional for its MS in Computer Science program, aligning with the broader trend.

Benefits and Concerns

Many students believe that dropping the GRE will benefit them. Given the individuality of candidates, it's difficult to make a blanket statement about the impact. However, it's likely that the overall admissions process will become more diverse and inclusive.

The GRE is a straightforward and relatively inexpensive way to demonstrate potential and studies have shown that it can be a useful predictor in at least some circumstances. Removing the GRE may mean that admissions committees have to rely more heavily on other metrics, such as personal achievements, extracurricular activities, and essays.

There is also a belief that the GRE has routinely been demonstrated to be useless, and that it disadvantages students from underrepresented groups. However, these claims are often not supported by empirical data. The GRE has been shown to be a useful tool in certain contexts, and it continues to be a standardized measure of potential for many students.

Predictions and Future Outlook

Given the current trends, it's likely that the GRE requirement will continue to decrease in popularity. However, the things that will determine its future haven't happened yet. For example, if alternative metrics become more established and reliable, the GRE may face further pressure to be dropped or reduced in significance.

For now, the trend is clear: many universities are moving away from the GRE requirement, particularly for MS programs. This change is likely to have a positive impact on the diversity and inclusivity of graduate admissions. However, it's important to note that the GRE will likely remain a component in the admissions process for the foreseeable future, especially at more selective institutions.

Overall, the journey to a more diverse and inclusive admissions process is ongoing. As more universities embrace optional or no-GRE admissions policies, the landscape of graduate school admissions will continue to evolve.