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\nAre you a prospective Psychology graduate student trying to figure out the GRE\u2019s role in your application? Curious about the score requirements for top PhD programs? You\u2019re in the right place! In this post, we\u2019ll break down everything you need to know about GRE scores for psychology programs.<\/p>\n
\nSome psychology programs have moved away from the GRE, but the field overall hasn\u2019t. When researching schools, you\u2019ll encounter a mix\u2014some require the test, others make it optional, and some don\u2019t consider scores at all. This variety can make it challenging to determine how much the GRE matters for your application. For many students, these mixed requirements make it difficult to decide whether to take the GRE. Let\u2019s explore a few scenarios that applicants often face.<\/p>\n
\nIn this scenario, your target schools have varying GRE requirements\u2014some require the test, while others don\u2019t. Your decision depends on how much you want to attend the schools that need the GRE. If you\u2019d regret not applying to any of them, it\u2019s best to take the GRE if possible. You don\u2019t want to miss out on a great program just because the test isn\u2019t required everywhere you\u2019re applying.<\/p>\n
\nDeciding gets trickier when your list includes both schools that don\u2019t require the GRE and test-optional programs. In this case, you need to assess whether taking the GRE will strengthen your application. If you\u2019re confident in your academic history, research experience, and fit with your chosen schools, the GRE might not be necessary. However, if you believe a strong GRE score could enhance your profile, it may be worth taking the test.<\/p>\n
\nIf you feel weak in certain areas\u2014or if you\u2019re applying to very competitive programs\u2014a strong GRE score can boost your application. When deciding, try ranking your schools. If test-optional schools are among your top 1-3 choices, it\u2019s likely worth taking the GRE. Even if your application is strong in other areas, you still want to maximize your chances, right? In that case, studying hard for the GRE and submitting competitive scores gives you one more advantage.<\/p>\n
\nProspective Psychology grad students need to carefully check if GRE requirements are consistent across a department. Often, different subfields within the same department may have varying standards. For instance, a school might not require the GRE for counseling or social psychology, but it might for cognitive or clinical programs. Some departments, like the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities<\/a> require the GRE for more quantitative specialties. Additionally, certain faculty at schools like the University of Indiana–Bloomington<\/a>, may require the GRE, while others do not. Be sure to know the exact requirements for your program, subfield, and potential advisor.<\/p>\n \nYou might wonder if test standards differ for master\u2019s vs. PhD programs. Many programs listed below don\u2019t offer a terminal master\u2019s degree, meaning they only provide a master\u2019s en route to a PhD. However, some psychology master\u2019s programs exist and may require the GRE for admission. Generally, there are two types of psychology master\u2019s programs: one for licensure in counseling and another preparing students for a doctoral program. Opting for a master\u2019s first might be a good choice if your application profile is weaker or if you\u2019re unsure about committing to a PhD. Here are some programs and their test requirements:<\/p>\n \nWhile you could apply only to schools without a GRE requirement, I generally recommend not letting the test dictate your choices. Taking the GRE can be stressful, scary, and expensive, and many of us would prefer to avoid it. However, you should apply to schools that are the best fit and most exciting for you. Graduate education requires a significant investment of time and resources to advance your career, so you want to study in the right place with the right people. Don\u2019t eliminate a great school just because they require the GRE.<\/p>\n \nEvery application cycle I meet prospective grad students who don’t believe they can master the GRE. I talk to applicants who are on the verge of talking themselves out of applying to certain schools. Why? Because they are worried that they aren’t good enough for certain programs or that they’ll never figure the GRE out. And every year, with some encouragement and a lot of hard work and determination, many of those students nail the GRE and get into the programs of their dreams.<\/p>\n \nBut what if you do end up only applying to schools without the GRE? Then you want to make sure you spend your time really refining the rest of your application – particularly any written materials you need to submit. Your essays are often the most important part of your application, don’t neglect them! Do plenty of research to find out what your targeted schools are looking for in prospective students. Make sure you know your potential advisors research areas and work. And have a clear, compelling narrative for your essays explaining why you want to go to grad school, what you want to do there, and why this particular school is the right fit.<\/p>\n \nBecause so many Psychology programs are test optional there isn’t a lot of public score data available. But, some programs do release their average admitted scores. From this we can reasonably assume that the average GRE score for a student admitted to a top-25 program is 155+. In general Psychology departments will prioritize the Verbal section. However, more quantitative focused subfields will look for strong Quant scores as well. Keep in mind that ultra competitive programs will likely have average scores in the 160s. Test optional programs don’t weigh the GRE as heavily as programs that require it. But, you will still want a strong score to mitigate application weaknesses and stand out from the crowd. Here are the requirements for GRE scores at U.S. News and World Report’s<\/a> top-50 programs:<\/p>\nMaster’s vs. PhD GRE Requirements<\/h3>\n
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What If I’m Only Applying to Schools That Don’t Accept the GRE?<\/h2>\n
Average GRE Scores for Psychology Programs<\/h2>\n
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