GRE Score

[Swati_123]

Is it true that a low GRE Score automatically rejects applications from univ? 

[LazarusRises]

That may be true of some extremely competitive programs, but if the admissions page doesn't list a minimum GRE score it's very unlikely that you'll be rejected immediately just for that. Of course, having a low score will never help your application, but if you have great recommendations/professional experience/publications etc. then you definitely stand a chance.

Also, more and more schools are waiving the GRE requirement altogether. If your score is really bad, you might consider looking into those programs. 

[Artifex_Archer]

Even very competitive programs don’t have a hard and fast GRE ‘cut off.’ what many may do, even the less competitive ones [though they’re loath to admit it] is use GRE scores as an unofficial ‘culling’ mechanism. For example, when vetting applicants, some might merely ‘skim’ low-scoring applicants’ files, unless there’s something else about their recommendation letter, CV, or GPA that merits a closer read. 

This is pretty true for all the numeric components of applicant files [including GPA],  which are faster to review than statements, writing samples, etc., are, and which are therefore read first [see above note re: vetting]. So, to look at it another way, a very high GRE score could be a signal that an applicant with a lackluster GPA is worth a more than just a ‘skim’ through their SoP. 

 

***Disclaimer that all this information is anecdotal and comes from people I personally know who have read grad applications. Your mileage can and will vary.