Grad school/do I have to retake GRE?

[LittleBattleAxe]

I have been approached by my school district to return to school -- their longterm goal for me is to become what is known as a "master mentor." I'm excited and flattered -- it looks like I can get the MA they want in a year's time, as I have several hours that will transfer already.

My big question is -- does anyone know of a way around taking the GRE? It has been fifteen year since I've taken it! I'm not excited about studying for it -- although I wouldn't mind taking a section that pertained to my field of study, if such a thing exists. I'm in my 40s and am wondering if there is any sort of dispensation given to nontraditional students in my situation. I don't want to look at the GRE as a deal-breaker, but I'd sure like to be able to NOT take it again -- the first person I spoke to about it has indicated that my scores are too old to be accepted.

Or if I DO have to take it -- any tips for reviews, either classes or online?

[Juvysen]

I've been wondering this, too. I *have* a master's degree... that's gotta be worth something, right? I don't know, though. I'll be interested in hearing what replies you get.

[Drummer's Wife]

I don't even have a bachelor's degree (yet), so I don't know much; but, I'm pretty sure you will have to re-take the GRE. Being a non-trad student doesn't factor in. What scores they would accept to get you into the grad program, may be up for debate, though. If they want you in their program, they are going to look at your GPA, letters of recommendation, experience, letter of intent, etc., and will overlook a not-so-great GRE (if it comes down to you not getting high scores).

There are definitely tons of programs, courses, online tutorials, and books that are marketed to help with taking the GRE. If you are wanting to apply for Fall semester, I would start prepping now, which would give you plenty of time if you decide to take the GRE more than once. I have only recently started looking into it, so I have no recommendation as to what is the most helpful to prep.

[LittleBattleAxe]

There is a formula for someone with an MA/MS (which I do have but in another field) -- it means I'd need a lower GRE score than someone straight out of an undergrad program. Dh tells me that some programs won't require the GRE *if* the applicant has an MA/MS and no grade lower than a B (which is me, but now I have to see if the schools that have those guidelines have the specific degree program I need).

[Ianthe]

Not every school or program requires a GRE.. however, if they do, they will often balance experience, letters of rec, etc if you get a low score on the GRE. (I'm still working on my undergrad, and am totally terrified of the GRE. I am NOT a good test taker! )

[LittleBattleAxe]

I'm old and cranky That's why I don't want to take it. I don't want to have to study for something that I see as having no utilitarian value in my life. Yep, old and cranky. Next up: I'll complain about some teenager's music.

[kanga1622]

Your best bet is to simply call the program and talk to the secretary. I work as a secretary in a graduate program and get questions about this all the time - you certainly won't be the only one that has asked.

In our case, we do not ever waive the GRE and generally cannot get score reports directly from the company once the scores are 5 years old.

We see a lot of people returning to school but make everyone submit to the same requirements.

[pregnant@40]

It completely depends on your program. For mine, it was required even 10 years after receiving an undergraduate degree. There are so many books for preparation, that the GRE really was no big deal. I scored well, as I think most adults would. It's basic math, writing, and language/reading.

[pregnant@40]

Originally Posted by LittleBattleAxe

I'm old and cranky That's why I don't want to take it. I don't want to have to study for something that I see as having no utilitarian value in my life. Yep, old and cranky. Next up: I'll complain about some teenager's music.

Well, welcome to graduate school. It's a lot of hoop jumping, just as you found w/ undergraduate education. School does not mirror the real world (scratch that -- the work place can be filled w/ hoop jumping, too). However, it can be stimulating and even enjoyable at times, and may be worth the effort to just take a simple test.

[littlehoneybee]

It totally depends on the school. My dh recently finished his master's. One of the schools he applied to waived the GRE if applicants' undergraduate degrees were ten years old or more.

[EVC]

I agree that it depends greatly on the school. I did my first MA in 2001, then decided to go back for a second MA and PhD in 2005. By that time, my GRE scores had expired (I think I took it in 1996?). Anyway, I absolutely did NOT want to take it again, so I just started contacting various departments that I would potentially want to apply to. Most said no, I would need to re-take the GRE to be considered for admission. One university said that they would exempt me for admission, but that I would not be eligible for many of their university's grants and fellowships without GRE scores.

Only ONE department said that they would exempt me entirely from the GRE based on previous MA and work experience. And, well, that's where I am now

So it WAS possible to find a place that was willing to exempt me, but it severely limited my choices.

[Leatherette]

I first took the GRE in 1994, and I had to re-take it when I applied for a second graduate program in 2001. It is all on computer now - it was pretty easy to take it.

One cool thing about taking it again after more life experience......my analytical score was way higher than in 1994!

I ended up not going back to grad school in 2001, so if I decide to go now or in the future, I guess I will have to take it again.

Also, I think that the GRE is not really the type of test that studying for helps...I did take a practice test to re-familiarize myself with the types of questions, but that was it.

L

[bluets]

I suspect it will depend on the program you want to enter. If you really want to wriggle out of retaking the GRE, I suggest you find yourself a mentor on the inside of the program, get really fabulous letters of reference, hope that your grades were high enough, and cross your fingers.

When I did my PhD, admissions were decided by the department. References were taken more seriously than GRE scores. But they used the GRE scores and grades to quantify admission and then assistantship. Of course, that was LONG time ago and things may have changed. It was also in the sciences, so things might be different in your field.

(But still, if you manage to get an advocate on the inside, I suspect you've got a bigger chance of getting in without the advocate.)

[beebalmmama]

Are you a teacher? I would be surpised if you have to take it as a professional teacher. So many Masters programs for teachers are tailored to fit working teachers as they work toward their Masters. But then I'm sure it all depends on who the program is through.
I have a few friends working on their Masters in Education (and are working teachers) and none of them have had to take the GRE. My dh was considering his Masters (also a school teacher) and he does not have to take the GRE for the program in our area.

[LittleBattleAxe]

Yes, I'm a teacher. And yes, the GRE is required. It's an M.Ed program -- there are similar programs that don't require the GRE but they are not exactly what I am looking for. Many schools that offer dual cert/Master's programs don't require the GRE. This will be my 2nd master's degree.

[JudiAU]

Well I am old and cranky too so I choose a program that didn't require it if you met certain criteria. =) It made for some well educated, old and cranky classmates.

[madcap150]

I am a test-prep tutor and I've worked with a lot of GRE students. My experience has been that most people aren't able to avoid taking it, but what kind of scores the programs are looking for from them vary widely. Most of the time the GRE is required by the admissions policies/ procedures that are in place for all departments, so individual programs can't give you a pass. BUT, if they want you based on your experience, education, etc and feel you would be a good fit for their program, they can tell you that they don't care what score you get, or they can give you a low goal score. In that case, it's still annoying, but at least you don't have to waste a lot of time prepping-- just go take it and be done. You lose some money and a morning of your life, but you don't get anxious and stressed about preparing.

As for me, I looked for one of those few programs that don't require the GRE. Yes, I tutor tests, and I'm good at them so a high score isn't a problem for me, but I resent these tests and the barriers they throw up for people who are going to do great in grad school but have to waste so much time and energy on the test.

[spedteacher30]

I took it in 1996 when I was graduating from college and applying for my masters program (in teaching). I got my masters in 1998 and then in 2005, I applied to the same university as my masters (not the same as my bachelors) for doctoral studies, and they did waive the GRE. I think the only reason they were able to was because the official score was already on file, and my former professors were encouraging me to apply. One of them wrote a recommendation that was 1 sentence long.