Optional GRE - To take or not

[BioFrost]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to read this. 

I've done a lot of research on the "optional GRE" portion of applications but I wanted to see if there was anyone who got accepted into top schools for science PhD without having submitted their GRE.  Sure schools may say it's "optional," but top schools/older generation application reviewers may consider you did poorly or youre too lazy to take the test if you don't submit one. I've read a recent article where a reporter was allowed to sit in anonymous schools during the application cycle and professors did not even look at applications if the student did not meet a certain GRE score. 

Had anyone gotten into a top university without submitting their GRE?

[Teaching Faculty Wannabe]

@BioFrost If I were in your situation, I would take it if you can afford it (or maybe look for ways to get the fee waived or reduced), see how you do, and decide based on your score if it is worth sending it to them (your score should probably be 300 Q and V combined). I am not sure how reviewers would view not sending it in, but I feel like they shouldn't fault you for not sending it since it is optional. That's just how I see it.