Can a Good GRE Score Make Up for a Bad GPA?
If your goal is graduate school, many factors can affect your likelihood of acceptance. Every grad school admissions process will be different, and things like location, program type, and campus prestige can all impact the specific traits the admissions board is looking for.
Most students know that their GPA, or grade point average, is one of the most common markers of academic progress and achievement. When you apply to a graduate program, your GPA in your undergraduate years will play a role in your application.
However, if your GPA wasn’t as high as it could have been, it doesn’t mean that grad school is automatically off the table. Some factors can outweigh your GPA in your application, and one of these is your GRE score. Find out below “can a good GRE score make up for a bad GPA?”
What Is the GRE?
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test used across many college campuses. The GRE assesses the readiness of undergraduate degree holders seeking higher education in a graduate program.
The test is made up of multiple sections that test your writing abilities as well as your verbal and quantitative reasoning skills. The focus of the GRE is to determine your ability to think critically, problem-solve, and evaluate material in written form, all of which are very useful skills in many graduate fields.
Why Is the GRE Considered So Heavily?
You may wonder why a single exam could outweigh the results of multiple years of undergraduate classes. This is because your GPA may have little bearing on whether you will succeed in grad school, especially for students seeking graduate degrees in fields unrelated to their undergraduate major.
No matter what you may have studied as an undergrad or what your grades looked like during those years, your GRE results will show that you can excel in the skills that grad programs value. While a high undergrad GPA and a top GRE score make for an especially convincing application, many admissions boards will be willing to overlook a low GPA in favor of an outstanding GRE.
What Other Factors Go into Grad School Admissions?
As you plan your grad school application process, studying for the GRE with a focused plan should be one of your top priorities. This is especially true if the grad program you’re after has a minimum GRE requirement.
The quality of your recommendation letters will also make a huge difference in the success of your application. Make sure they come from well-respected professionals no matter what industry they’re in. Additionally, if you have direct experience in your desired field, this will only make standing out from other applications easier.
Achieve the Scores You Need with Jantzi
To receive the acceptance letter you’re hoping for, a great GRE test prep plan is essential. At Jantzi, we can help you reach your goals with specialized GRE prep programs tailored to your needs. Contact us today to get started!
