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MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 9:38 am
by Act2021
Just saw that MIT will not accept the GRE or PGRE for applications starting this fall . . . anyone hear of any other schools doing the same

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:04 am
by qxer
Harvard following in similar footsteps:
The Harvard Physics PhD program will not be accepting Physics or General GRE scores for the upcoming admissions cycle with application deadline December 15, 2020. Please do not submit GRE scores to us or mention them anywhere in your application. Note that this new policy may not be reflected on all Harvard University websites yet. Note also that several other graduate physics programs have made similar changes to their GRE policies, so please be sure to check in with any programs to which you will be applying. Questions about our policy should be directed to the Department of Physics at gradinfo@physics.harvard.edu.
Might be good to compile all these schools into some list…

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:47 am
by qxer
From UChicago:
The UChicago Physics Department is not accepting General GRE or Physics GRE scores for applications for graduate admission in the 2020-2021 application cycle. We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the circumstances under which testing would need to occur, either in person or remotely, and believe these to be overly burdensome for applicants. All applications will be given full consideration, without reference to GRE scores which should not be mentioned anywhere in any student’s application.

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:24 am
by geekusprimus
Cornell is doing the same. Princeton is making both optional. I suspect more schools will announce their decisions closer to the start of fall semester.

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:13 am
by Nishikata
hopefully they postpone the TOEFL to post-offer requirements too.

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 9:34 am
by Act2021
UPENN optional too

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 3:09 am
by Nishikata
"Yale Physics will not be accepting the General GRE and Physics GRE scores for applications received by December 15, 2020"

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:20 am
by HubbleBubble
If you look at exams from the 1990’s, they were genuinely difficult, focused on advanced topics, and reflected actual qualifying exams. These days the Physics GRE is easy and just reflects how quickly you can answer questions. I found only my intro physics course was useful preparation, and I doubt the 2020 exam was a very good predictor of PhD success, neither in coursework nor research. Even if gender/racial disparities could have been addressed in other ways, I think this is a good move in terms of getting the smartest PhD students.
Nishikata wrote:
Thu Jul 02, 2020 3:09 am
"Yale Physics will not be accepting the General GRE and Physics GRE scores for applications received by December 15, 2020"
Yale Astro too.

EDIT: I guess I was implicitly assuming the COVID motivated change would be permanent, which is topic unto itself.

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 9:34 am
by Nishikata
caltech too.
Important graduate admissions update: due to the COVID-19 pandemic scores for the GRE General and GRE Subject exams will neither be required nor accepted on applications to the Physics program for the entering cohort of Fall 2021. Please do not indicate these scores anywhere on your application. This statement overrides any mention of the GRE you may find on our website.

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:46 am
by ramontuvares
Compiled this list of the current GRE policies at a number of schools.
General and physics tests not required or considered:
  • MIT
  • Caltech
  • Harvard
  • Berkeley
  • Cornell
  • U of Chicago
  • Columbia
  • UCSB
  • Yale
  • U Michigan
  • U Wisconsin
  • U Washington
  • Stony Brook
General and physics tests optional:
  • Stanford
  • Princeton
  • Boulder
  • U Penn
  • UCLA
  • UCSD
Both typically required, no update due to COVID:
  • UT Austin
  • Ohio State
General required, physics optional:
  • UIUC

Re: MIT drops GRE and PGRE

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 1:16 am
by indigo
Both UIUC Astro and Physics departments have made it optional/canceled GRE for current cycle.
https://physics.illinois.edu/admissions ... ments.html
https://astro.illinois.edu/admissions/g ... admissions