GRE Admissions

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a test designed for candidates seeking admission to postgraduate programmes at universities in India and abroad. Several universities have listed the GRE score as one of the many admission requirements to apply to postgraduate programmes. So, are you wondering what is the procedure of applying to these universities? Do not fret, we will help you through the GRE admission process. Read this article for updated information on how to register for the exam, when is the right time to start the process, and more.

GRE Admissions in the University of Your Choice

The very first step of your graduate programme admissions is researching and shortlisting your preferred universities. 

We will give you a brief explanation of certain factors that you might want to consider before you shortlist your universities. Here are some points you should keep in mind:

1. GRE score

The chances of you securing admission to a university of your choice is higher when you have a good GRE score. Often, universities define certain minimum cutoff scores that an applicant has to achieve in order to be considered for admission. These cutoff scores not only help you set a target score but also broaden the scope of your search for universities. 

2. Financial aid/ Tuition waiver/ Scholarships 

A pragmatic thing to do while choosing your university, is to look for what kind of financial aid or scholarships the university offers to its international students. The financial aid will again increase your chances of getting in and will also ease the financial burden on you or your family. 

3. Living costs 

Another important factor to consider when it comes to finances are costs other than the tuition fee. The cost of living differs from country to country, hence, you must be mindful of them while choosing your university. Keep in mind the expense of living abroad as well, to avoid any unforeseen circumstance.  

4. Placement programmes/ Placement cells 

Most universities have placement programmes through which you can be placed into reputable companies. Before you shortlist any university, make sure to do some quick research on the available placement opportunities, available statistics of students from previous years, and success stories. This will help you understand which university will be able to provide you with the best opportunities, and in turn, help kickstart your professional life.  

GRE Admission Process

The GRE Admission procedure is very straightforward. Let’s begin with the process of applying to Universities. First of all, it is very important to shortlist the Universities and programs of your preference as mentioned above. Once you have a list of the universities you are looking to apply to, conduct thorough research on the procedure of applying, make note of important deadlines and of necessary documents to be submitted. 

Second, start compiling these documents. Most Universities will expect you to have the following: 

1. A Valid Identification 
2. An Official Transcript 
3. Statement of Purpose
4. Letters of Recommendation 
5. Valid Certificates 

You might have to ask trusted professors or a senior at work to draft these recommendation letters prior to the submission deadline set by the university. The Statement of Purpose (SOP) needs to be drafted by you. The SOP needs to explain your personal motivation to be part of this programme and justify why you are the right fit for it. 

Third, you need to register for the GRE exam and ensure you are preparing for it in the most efficient way possible. It is advisable to check the ETS official site for further information such as exam dates, sample questions, and practice tests. You can also opt for GRE counselling sessions  from experts at CareerLabs to gain better insight into how to go about the whole process. Counselling is important since it will help you shortlist the colleges by evaluating pros and cons and it will also provide you with more details about visa process, scholarship opportunities etc.

GRE Registration

We will now move onto the process of registration of the GRE exam. In order to register for the exam, you have to create a profile on the ETS official site. Once you’ve done that, submit an application form and make the payment for the exam. After this has been done, you can move onto checking the nearest exam centers and select your preferred exam date. 

Some important pointers to keep note of while you are choosing your exam dates: 

• The GRE admission season at most universities is throughout the year, but the programmes within the university begin at different times of the year. Some courses begin during Fall, while some others may begin in Winter or Spring. Almost all universities and programmes have courses available during the Fall season. Hence, it is important to check when your programme starts, so you can pick your exam date accordingly. 
• The GRE exam scores are directly sent to the universities listed by you. The scores take about three weeks to reach the university. You have to carefully make note of the application deadline and accordingly choose your exam date to avoid any confusion, as submitting the application after the stipulated deadline is sure to result in an automatic rejection.
• The GRE exam dates are put up on the ETS official site every year. Make sure to check them before you choose your dates. Also, keep in mind that exam slots are available all through the year, although through the months of October to December there are only limited slots available. So, make sure to factor this in while choosing your exam date. 

One way to help yourself would be by availing GRE counselling services offered by a reputable company such as CareerLabs. We offer various services; from providing you with helpful tips and tricks for the exams, to tailoring your applications to your preferred programmes. We can help facilitate a smooth and stress-free GRE admission process for you, and steer your application in the right direction. 

It can be daunting having to figure out all the logistics by yourself. From the GRE admissions to the exams and more, hence, we hope that the information provided by us helped.

FAQs

• What is the GRE?

A: The Graduate Record Examination is a standardised entrance exam conducted by the Educational Testing Service. Millions of students take it every year as it is an important component of the graduate school admission process, and is valid across the globe.

• Who can attempt the GRE?

A: Anybody can sign up for the GRE test! The only qualification you need is a valid bachelor’s degree since the GRE is a standardised test for graduate school. No matter your nationality or any other factors, you are eligible for the GRE – there is no upper age limit either! 

• How can I prepare for the GRE?

A: Creating a detailed study plan, and sticking to it, is the key to a successful GRE exam. Time management and dedication will take you a long way. You can prepare for the exam in any time frame, as long as you plan for it; whether it is two weeks or one year. You can visit the CareerLabs GRE page if you think an online preparation programme tailored to your requirements is what will work for you.