How much grad schools cares about GRE?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the significance of the GRE in graduate school admissions, particularly for physics programs in the USA. Participants explore concerns about the GRE's impact on applications, the evaluation of international grades, and the necessity of English proficiency tests.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses anxiety about the GRE and its importance for admission to specific universities, citing strong recommendations and research experience as part of their application.
  • Another participant suggests using GRE practice materials to prepare, noting that the GRE can serve as an initial screening tool in the admissions process.
  • There is a question about whether the discussion pertains to the physics GRE or the general GRE, indicating a need for clarification on which test is being referenced.
  • A participant mentions plans to study English for both the GRE and TOEFL, highlighting concerns about English proficiency affecting their GRE performance.
  • Concerns are raised about how universities will interpret grades from Brazil, which do not have a direct correlation to the GPA system used in the USA.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the importance of the GRE, as opinions vary on its role in the admissions process and the necessity of English proficiency tests. Multiple views on the significance of different GRE types are also present.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying experiences and contexts regarding GRE preparation and admissions processes, indicating that the discussion is influenced by individual circumstances and institutional policies.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduate students considering graduate school applications, particularly in physics, and those navigating international admissions processes may find this discussion relevant.

Victor Alencar
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I'm 3rd year undergraduate student at Brazil and I wish to apply for some USA universities,but I'm scared with GRE.
I have good and knowed physicists for rec. letters, experience with research and good grades,what are my chances? I'm thinking in 4 uni : Stony Brook,Chicago,Cornell and Penn.
Here in Brazil we have a different type of grades, how the universities will analyse this? Here "GPA" is CR and it goes from 0 to 10,for some long reasons there's not a linear proportion.
Just one more : Some tip for GRE?
By the way, before applying for PhD I'll do my master degree here.
Sorry my poor english, I'm learning.
 
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Why not get an english GRE practice book and do a test exam?

The GRE is sometimes used as a screener. If you did well that is its above some university admissions cutoff you go to step two where they look at other things in your application. Admissions gets so many applications that they look for reasons to reject.

This all depends on the university though. Do you have any contacts or profs you can write to at the universities you want to attend?

Do you need to take a TOEFL too to demonstrate English proficiency too? They would mention it i think on the graduate admission page of the site.
 
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Are you talking about the physics GRE or the general GRE?
 
In the next semester I'll start to study english for GRE and TOEFL.
Dishsoap said:
Are you talking about the physics GRE or the general GRE?
I'm talking about both of them, but the general GRE is my problem because my english is not very good.

My two best contacts did their PhD's in ICTP(Italy) and Dublin University but they have a lot of contacts over the world, I don't know if they have someone in these universities.
 

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