Post
by mobytish » Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:04 am
There are plenty of threads on this board that discuss schools that don't require it.
I did not always apply to the actual Physics program. I applied to Chemical Physics (Liquid Crystal Institute) at Kent, Optics at Rochester, and Physics at Lehigh. Lehigh says they require it on their webpage, but I asked them if there was a way around this, and they said that I should apply anyway. Even without a PGRE, I ended up getting offered one of their University Fellowships (they usually give people TAs).
I am not yet a grad student, I will be one next year (Fall 2010 and on). I registered because Lehigh asked me to take it in April, but since I'm going to Kent and Kent doesn't care (aside from, like I said, saying I may need it for some external fellowships I might apply to), so I don't really want to take it, especially considering I haven't had time to study and I'm not sure how much I'll have in the next month. Still, I don't want to jeopardize my chances of getting NSF or other fellowships.